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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yarukku Yaarum Sonthamillai

From Nalvaravu · 1964

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Nalvaravu1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillaiNo one really belongs to anyone,
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illaiIn this world, I have no bond.
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaalOnce born from the womb,
Kavalaikku panjamum illaiThere is no shortage of sorrow.
Male
Needhi munn paasamum maraiyumaeBefore justice, affection vanishes;
Kadamai munn kaadhalum sidhaiyumaeBefore duty, even love shatters.
Male
Sodhanai padalamum thodarumaeThe chapter of trials will continue,
Sondhamum bandhamum sidharumaeBonds and relationships will scatter.
Piraviyae avathiyae …piraviyae avathiyaeBirth itself is agony... birth itself is agony,
Irandhidil thunbamum illaiIn death, there is no sorrow.
Male
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillaiNo one really belongs to anyone,
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illaiIn this world, I have no bond.
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaalOnce born from the womb,
Kavalaikku panjamum illaiThere is no shortage of sorrow.
Male
Nenjathil thondridum kanavellaamAll the dreams that arise in the heart,
Neerinil alai pol kalaiyumaeWill dissolve like waves on water.
Male
Manjathil pesidum kadhaiyellaamAll the words spoken in intimacy,
Mounathin ellaiyil mudiyumaeWill end at the boundary of silence.
Ulagamae thuyarumae… ulagamae thuyaramaeThe whole world is full of grief... the whole world is sorrow,
Thurandhidil thunbamum illaiIf one renounces it, there is no pain.
Male
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillaiNo one really belongs to anyone,
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illaiIn this world, I have no bond.
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaalOnce born from the womb,
Kavalaikku panjamum illai….There is no shortage of sorrow.
Male
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillaiNo one really belongs to anyone,
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai…In this world, I have no bond.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai is a deeply philosophical and melancholic song expressing detachment, existential sorrow, and the impermanence of worldly bonds. The speaker reflects on how human birth brings endless worries and trials, noting that rigid concepts of duty and justice often destroy personal love and affection. The lyrics further highlight the transience of human intimacy and dreams, comparing them to fragile waves on water that fade into silent nothingness. The song concludes that freedom from grief is achieved either through renunciation or liberation from life's worldly attachments, brought to life by P. B. Sreenivas's emotive rendition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai / Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai

The second consonant sound 'r' (ற/ர்) rhymes in 'Yaarukku' and 'Paarukkul'.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nenjathil thondridum kanavellaam / Manjathil pesidum kadhaiyellaam

The second letter sound 'nja' (ஞ்) matches in 'Nenjathil' and 'Manjathil'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

maraiyumae / sidhaiyumae / thodarumae / sidharumae

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes '-umae'.

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Neerinil alai pol kalaiyumae

Dreams arising in the heart are compared explicitly to waves in water that scatter and disappear ('pol' = like).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nenjathil thondridum kanavellaam / Neerinil alai pol kalaiyumae

The starting 'N' sound is repeated in 'Nenjathil' and 'Neerinil'.

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Trivia

Nalvaravu (1964) featured music by the veteran composer T. Chalapathi Rao, with poignant lyrics penned by V. Lakshmanan. Singer P. B. Sreenivas was widely renowned for his deep, expressive voice, which made him the quintessential choice for philosophical and emotionally intense solos during this era of Tamil cinema.

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