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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaar Paadum

From Paattukku Naan Adimai · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paattukku Naan Adimai1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa…aaa…aaaa….aaaaaaaaa…..Aaa…aaa…aaaa….aaaaaaaaa…..
Aaa…aa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa….Aaa…aa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa….
Haa…aaa…haa..aa…haaa….aaa…..Haa…aaa…haa..aa…haaa….aaa…..
Mm..mm..mm…ooMm..mm..mm…oo
Male
Yaar paadum paadal endraalumWhose song it may be,
Seraadhu unnai chaeraadhuIt will not reach you, it won't join you.
Kaatril kalandhae thaanBlending only into the wind,
Pogum oru paattuA song goes away.
Kaadhil ketkum neramWhen it is heard in the ear,
Adhu kaadhal solludhaaDoes it speak of love?
Ezhai vedham kaadhalLove is the poor man's scripture;
Nam nenjam paadudhaaDoes our heart sing it?
Male
Yaar paadum paadal endraalumWhose song it may be,
Seraadhu unnai chaeraadhuIt will not reach you, it won't join you.
Male
Kanavae vaazhvaagaDreams becoming life,
Vaazhvae kanavaagaLife becoming a dream,
Valarthen uyirai veenaagaI nurtured my life in vain.
Nedu naal payanamA long journey,
Indrodu oindhadhennaWhy did it end today?
Ninaivum kanavumMemories and dreams,
Indrordu saaindhadhennaWhy did they fade and fall today?
Poovukkulla sogam ellaam…All the sorrow inside the flower…
Female
Poovukkulla sogam ellaamAll the sorrow inside the flower,
Yaar ariya koodumWho can ever know?
Soodi vitta pinnaalaeOnce it is worn in hair,
Vaadi adhu saagumIt wilts and dies.
Kaadhal poiyaachuLove turned out to be a lie,
Aadhu kaanal neeraachuIt became a mirage.
Idhayam ondru irandaachuOne heart was split into two.
Female
Yaar paadum paadal endraalumWhose song it may be,
Seraadhu ennai chaeraadhuIt will not reach me, it won't join me.
Kaatril kalandhae thaanBlending only into the wind,
Pogum oru paattuA song goes away.
Kaadhil ketkum neramWhen it is heard in the ear,
Adhu kaadhal solludhaeIt speaks of love.
Ezhai vedham kaadhalLove is the poor man's scripture;
Nam nenjam paadudhaeOur heart sings it.
Female
Yaar paadum paadal endraalumWhose song it may be,
Seraadhu ennai chaeraadhuIt will not reach me, it won't join me.
Female
Anbil irandaedhuHow can there be two in love?
Irundhaal anbaedhuIf two exist, how can it be love?
Thunbam ini mel ingaedhuWhere is room for sorrow here anymore?
Marundhaal pizhaikkumDid I take a body that survives
Udal thaanaa naan kondenonly if it forgets?
Virundhaai padaikkumI rose up through music
Isaiyaalae naan ezhundhenthat is served like a feast.
Male
Unnai pola jeevan mattumOnly for a soul like you
Ketpadharkku thaanto listen,
Thaenai pola dhevan endhanGod gave me a voice
Kural koduthaanas sweet as honey.
Kaanal neer ingaeLet the mirage here
Pudhu gangai neeraagaturn into the fresh waters of the Ganges,
Engengum paayattum kaadhal vaazhattumLet it flow everywhere, and let love live on!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song explores themes of heartbreak, unrequited love, and the healing power of music. The protagonist reflects on a love that ended prematurely, comparing their broken heart to a wilting flower and a fleeting mirage. The song contrasts the sorrow of loss with the eternal nature of music, which carries emotion on the wind even when lovers are separated.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ezhai vedham kaadhal

Compares love directly to the sacred scripture (vedham) of a poor person, emphasizing its spiritual and indispensable value.

Simile

Thaenai pola dhevan endhan kural koduthaan

Uses 'pola' (like/as) to compare the singer's voice to honey, highlighting its sweetness and beauty.

Metaphor

Aadhu kaanal neeraachu

Compares the unfulfilled love to a mirage ('kaanal neer'), signifying illusion and heartbreak.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paattukku Naan Adimai (1990) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Ramarajan and Kushboo in the lead roles, with lyrics penned by Ilaiyaraaja's brother, Gangai Amaran.

Keep listening

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