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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaar Nee Yaar

From Swathi Natchathiram · 1974

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Swathi Natchathiram1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Yaar nee yaar naan yaarWho are you? Who am I? Who?
Unakkum enakkumFor you and for me,
Vaazhvu thandhadhu yaarWho gave us this life?
Female
Yaar nee yaar naan yaarWho are you? Who am I? Who?
Unakkum enakkumFor you and for me,
Vaazhvu thandhadhu yaarWho gave us this life?
Female
Alai purandaal neerirandaaiWhen waves roll, does the water split into two
vilaguvadhundoand move apart?
Vizhi irandil ondrai ondruBetween two eyes, does one eye
Veruppadhundoohate the other?
Female
Kurudi ennai paarLook at me, a blind woman,
En manadhai varudi paarFeel my heart gently.
Kurudi ennai paarLook at me, a blind woman,
En manadhai varudi paarFeel my heart gently.
Mul irundhaal nerudi paarIf there are thorns, feel and remove them.
Female
Yaar nee yaar naan yaarWho are you? Who am I? Who?
Unakkum enakkumFor you and for me,
Vaazhvu thandhadhu yaarWho gave us this life?
Female
Anaipapdharkko adippadharkkoTo embrace or to strike,
Unnaiyindri yaarwho is there besides you?
Azhuvadharkko sirippadharkkoTo weep or to smile,
Ennaiyindri yaarwho is there besides me?
Female
AnaippadharkkuTo embrace,
Unnaiyindri yaarwho is there besides you?
Ingu sirippadharkkoHere, to smile,
Ennaiyindri yaarwho is there besides me?
Female
Idhai maranthidalaamaCan this be forgotten?
Ennai alavidalaamaCan my worth/patience be tested like this?
Idhai maranthidalaamaCan this be forgotten?
Ennai alavidalaamaCan my worth/patience be tested like this?
Indha thuyar tharalaaamaCan such grief be inflicted?
Female
Yaar nee yaar naan yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who am I? Who are you?
Female
Kannilladha kuzhandhaiA sightless child,
Ivalin kanavanaagum neeYou who are becoming her husband,
Kangalaaga anniyaagaAs her eyes and as her caring mother,
Vilanga vendum neeyou must serve as her guide.
Female
Kannilladha kuzhandhaiA sightless child,
Ivalin kanavanaagum neeYou who are becoming her husband,
Kangalaaga anniyaagaAs her eyes and as her caring mother,
Vilanga vendum neeyou must serve as her guide.
Female
Endrum anbin uruvaiAlways reflect on the image of love
Panbin vadivaiand the form of virtue
Un nenjil enni paarwithin your heart.
Female
Yaar nee yaar naan yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who am I? Who are you?
Female
Naan unar vilandhuWhen I lay down unconscious,
Kidandha podhu udaiyalithathaarwho was it that provided clothes?
Naan uranguvadhai enniThinking that I was fast asleep,
Andha udaiyavilthathaarwho was it that removed those clothes?
Avan yaar… nee yaar …Who is he... who are you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotionally charged song revolves around themes of blindness, vulnerability, marital duty, and betrayal. The singer addresses her husband, questioning the deep bonds of their relationship through philosophical analogies—such as water unable to split itself or one eye never hating the other. She highlights her total dependence on her husband to be both her sight and protective motherly presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Vinaa Ani (Rhetorical Question)

Yaar nee yaar naan yaar

Repeated questioning throughout the song heightens the emotional angst and existential reflection.

Uvamai Ani (Simile/Analogy)

Alai purandaal neerirandaai vilaguvadhundo

Compares inseparable human relationships to ocean waves that cannot be divided into separate waters.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kurudi ennai paar / En manadhai varudi paar

The second letter 'ru' rhymes in 'Kurudi' and 'varudi', creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by veteran poet A. Maruthakasi, 'Yaar Nee Yaar Naan' showcases L.R. Eswari's expressive emotional delivery in dramatic, character-driven narrative tracks beyond her famous upbeat numbers.

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