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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaar Poi Solluvaar

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Harichandra – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Piranthathu man melBeing born upon this earth
Irappatharkkendrae pesidumPeople say it is only to die
Piranthathu man melBeing born upon this earth
Irappatharkkendrae pesidum oonPeople say this mortal flesh is only meant to die
Thurantha narsugamumRenouncing worldly pleasures
Thukkathirkkeedenum sollum kandenI have seen it said that it leads to sorrow
Aaa…aa…Ah... ah...
Karanthanai kooppi sudalaiyai kakkaFolding my hands together to guard the cremation ground
Kanivu kandenI saw tender compassion
Varam thandhu vaazhnthidaTo grant blessings and life
Sivanae ninpadhamae saran pugundhenOh Lord Shiva, I have taken refuge at Your feet
Ninpadhamae saran pugundhenI have taken refuge at Your feet
Male
Yaar poi solvaarWho will go and tell?
Indha ezhai varundhum velaiAt this moment when this poor soul suffers
Aranidam..yaar poi solvaarTo Lord Shiva... who will go and tell?
Male
Paar thanilae than pathiniyai izhandhuHaving lost his wife on this earth
Paar thanilae than pathiniyai izhandhuHaving lost his wife on this earth
Pettra balaganaiyum narandhuAnd losing the child he begot to death
Parithavikkum nilaiyaiThis agonizing state
Yaar poi solvaarWho will go and tell?
Indha ezhai varundhum velaiAt this moment when this poor soul suffers
Aranidam..yaar poi solvaarTo Lord Shiva... who will go and tell?
Male
Vidhiyae unakkoru mudivillaiyaaOh Fate, do you have no end?
Vidhiyae unakkoru mudivillaiyaaOh Fate, do you have no end?
Un leelaikkumae orr alavilaliyaaIs there no limit to your playful games?
Vidhiyae unakkoru mudivillaiyaaOh Fate, do you have no end?
Un leelaikkumae orr alavilaliyaaIs there no limit to your playful games?
Gedhiyedhum illaamal sengozhai izhandhenWithout any refuge, I lost my royal scepter
Gedhiyedhum illaamal sengozhai izhandhenWithout any refuge, I lost my royal scepter
Vidhiyedhum illaamal sudum kolai adaindhenWithout any alternative, I took up the burning stick of a guard
Male
Yaar poi solvaarWho will go and tell?
Indha ezhai varundhum velaiAt this moment when this poor soul suffers
Aranidam..yaar poi solvaar …hahahaTo Lord Shiva... who will go and tell? ...hahaha

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lament belongs to King Harichandra during the absolute nadir of his ordeal. Having relinquished his kingdom, riches, and royal dignity to uphold his vow of absolute truthfulness, Harichandra finds himself working as a humble worker in a cremation ground. Deeply grief-stricken by the loss of his beloved queen Chandramathi and the death of his young son, he pours his agony out into the night sky. He questions the unrelenting cruelty of Fate ('Vidhi') and wonders why mortals suffer so immensely on earth. In his grief, he questions who will take his unbearable sorrow to Lord Shiva ('Aran'), surrendering completely at the divine feet as his ultimate and only remaining sanctuary.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Gedhiyedhum illaamal sengozhai izhandhen / Vidhiyedhum illaamal sudum kolai adaindhen

The second letter 'dhi' (தி) rhymes across 'Gedhiyedhum' and 'Vidhiyedhum', creating a rhythmic cadence of grief.

Apostrophe

Vidhiyae unakkoru mudivillaiyaa

The singer directly addresses an abstract entity ('Vidhi' or Fate) as if it were a sentient person capable of answering.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Piranthathu man mel / Pesidum

The repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Piranthathu', 'Pesidum') creates internal harmony in the verse.

Rhetorical Question

Yaar poi solvaar / Indha ezhai varundhum velai

The repeated question 'Who will go and tell?' emphasizes Harichandra's isolation and helplessness rather than seeking an actual answer.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1968 Tamil film 'Harichandra' re-enacts the classical Indian mythological story of King Harishchandra, famed for his unwavering commitment to truth (Satya). Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, a celebrated lyricist and screenwriter of early Tamil cinema, penned these moving verses depicting the emotional climax at the burial ground.

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