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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaaraithan Nambuvadho

From Parakkum Paavai · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Parakkum Paavai1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Yaarai thaan nambuvadhoWhom should I actually trust,
Paedhai nenjamthis naive heart asks?
Ammammaa boomiyilae yaavum vanjamOh dear, everything on this earth is deceit.
Uravellaam mullaagumAll relationships turn into thorns,
Uyirellaam kallaagumAll living souls turn into stone.
Uravellaam mullaagumAll relationships turn into thorns,
Uyirellaam kallaagumAll living souls turn into stone.
Female
Yaarai thaan nambuvadhoWhom should I actually trust,
Paedhai nenjamthis naive heart asks?
Female
Vaettai aadum maanaanenI became a hunted deer,
Vithai kaattum porulaanenI became an object displayed for magic tricks.
Kaattil vaazhum kiliyaagaamalInstead of becoming a parrot living in the forest,
Naattil vaazhum pennaanenI became a woman living in society.
Annai pettraal pen endruMy mother gave birth to me as a woman,
Adhanaal thaanae thuyar indruIs that why I suffer so much today?
Kannai thandha dheivangalaeOh Gods who gave me eyes to see,
Karunai thandhaal aagaadhoCan't you also show me some mercy?
Hooo ooo hooo ooo ooo…Hooo ooo hooo ooo ooo…
Female
Yaarai thaan nambuvadhoWhom should I actually trust,
Paedhai nenjamthis naive heart asks?
Ammammaa boomiyilae yaavum vanjamOh dear, everything on this earth is deceit.
Female
Azhagai kaattum kannaadiA mirror reflects outer beauty,
Manadhai kaatta koodaadhoCan't it reflect the inner mind too?
Pazhagum podhae nanmai theemaiAs we interact and get to know someone,
Paarthu solla koodaadhoCan't it discern and tell good from evil?
Vaazhthum kaiyil vaal unduThere is a sword in the hand that blesses,
Pottrum mozhiyil visham unduThere is poison in the words that praise.
Vanjam sindhum punnagaiyillaaIs there any person here who does not wear
Manidhar ingae yevarundua smile dripping with deceit?
Aa…aaa…aa..haa…aa….Aa…aaa…aa..haa…aa….
Female
Yaarai thaan nambuvadhoWhom should I actually trust,
Paedhai nenjamthis naive heart asks?
Ammammaa boomiyilae yaavum vanjamOh dear, everything on this earth is deceit.
Uravellaam mullaagumAll relationships turn into thorns,
Uyirellaam kallaagumAll living souls turn into stone.
Uravellaam mullaagumAll relationships turn into thorns,
Uyirellaam kallaagumAll living souls turn into stone.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Yaarai Thaan Nambuvadho' is a poignant, melancholic soliloquy expressing deep disillusionment with human nature and society. The protagonist feels utterly betrayed, surrounded by hypocrisy and deceit. Unable to find genuine love or sincerity, her innocent heart questions whom she can truly place her trust in.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Uravellaam mullaagum / Uyirellaam kallaagum

Relationships are metaphorically compared to sharp thorns, and human lives/souls are compared to unfeeling stone.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Uravellaam mullaagum / Uyirellaam kallaagum

Both lines end with the rhyming suffix 'aagum', creating a rhythmic and sorrowful echo.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vaettai aadum maanaanen

The protagonist compares her vulnerable and helpless state in society to that of a hunted deer.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Vaazhthum kaiyil vaal undu / Pottrum mozhiyil visham undu

Contrasts outward acts of praise and blessing with hidden motives of destruction (sword and poison).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Parakkum Paavai' (1966) is a classic Tamil movie starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi, centered around a circus backdrop. The music for the film was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with iconic lyrics by Kannadasan. This song, rendered emotionally by P. Susheela, stands out as a powerful philosophical reflection on betrayal and social hypocrisy.

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