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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaen Azhuthai Magale

From Odangal · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Sampath Selvam
Details
Odangal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oooh aaroraaro mmmm….Oooh aaroraaro mmmm….
Thaalaelo ThaalaeloLullaby, lullaby
Lalalala raariraariro lalalala raariraariroLalalala raariraariro lalalala raariraariro
Female
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Kanneerthaan thaaipaal endruDid you cry thinking that tears
Nee azhuthaayoare mother's milk?
Female
Thottil illaiyo thookkamillaiyoIs there no cradle? Is there no sleep?
Sontham sonthamillaiyo athaiAre there no relatives to call your own,
Sollavum vaai illaiyo….oooo….and no voice even to express it? Oh...
Female
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Female
Oodam pola odugindrenI run like a floating boat,
Naan karai saeravillai…ee…yet I have not reached the shore...
Neeyum vanthu paaramaanaaiYou too arrived and became a burden,
Sumai kolla yaarumillaiand there is no one to share this heavy load.
Pantha paasam ingae paaramaanaalIf affection and ties become a burden here,
Iruppathil laabamillaithere is no benefit in staying alive.
Ada irakkavum naeramillai oo….ooo….oo…Ah, there is not even time to die... oh...
Female
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Female
Poli maalai poli thaaliFake garland, fake sacred thread,
Idhu enna sugam tharumaa….aa….aa…will this ever give any happiness?
Vaettaiyaadum kaattu vaengaiWill a hunting tiger of the forest
Vazhivittu varantharumaastep aside and grant a blessing?
Ada aavi ingu pona pinbuAh, after life leaves from here,
Kuruvikku sudhanthiramaa….aa….is there freedom for the little bird?
Intha kodumaikku vilambaramaa aaa….aa….aah..Must there be publicity for this cruelty?
Female
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Kanneerthaan thaaipaal endruDid you cry thinking that tears
Nee azhuthaayoare mother's milk?
Female
Thottil illaiyo thookkamillaiyoIs there no cradle? Is there no sleep?
Sontham sonthamillaiyo athaiAre there no relatives to call your own,
Sollavum vaai illaiyo….oooo….and no voice even to express it? Oh...
Female
Yaen azhuthaai magalae ooo…Why did you cry, my daughter? Oh...
Yaen azhuthaayo….Why did you cry?
Kanneerthaan thaaipaal endruDid you cry thinking that tears
Nee azhuthaayo….are mother's milk?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Yaen Azhuthaai Magale' from the movie Odangal (1986) is a tragic lullaby sung by a helpless mother to her infant daughter. Plagued by extreme poverty and misfortune, the mother laments her harsh reality, wondering why her innocent child was born into such suffering. She metaphorically compares tears to mother's milk, emphasizing the absolute deprivation and sorrow into which the baby has arrived.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai Ani)

Oodam pola odugindren

The speaker compares her aimless, endlessly wandering life to a boat ('oodam pola') drifting across water without finding a shore.

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Kanneerthaan thaaipaal endru

Tears are metaphorically equated to mother's milk, highlighting the tragic lack of actual sustenance and comfort for the infant.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monai)

Poli maalai poli thaali

The word 'Poli' (fake) is repeated consecutively for rhythmic emphasis on deceitful social arrangements.

Symbolism

Vaettaiyaadum kaattu vaengai

The 'hunting forest tiger' symbolizes oppressive authority or harsh societal forces that show no mercy to the weak.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Odangal' (1986) features poignant lyrics by master lyricist Vairamuthu, known for using rural imagery and deep emotional metaphors to portray human struggle and maternal grief.

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