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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
Movie name
Nalvaravu
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
4 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaal
Kavalaikku panjamum illai
Needhi munn paasamum maraiyumae
Kadamai munn kaadhalum sidhaiyumae
Sodhanai padalamum thodarumae
Sondhamum bandhamum sidharumae
Piraviyae avathiyae …piraviyae avathiyae
Irandhidil thunbamum illai
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaal
Kavalaikku panjamum illai
Nenjathil thondridum kanavellaam
Neerinil alai pol kalaiyumae
Manjathil pesidum kadhaiyellaam
Mounathin ellaiyil mudiyumae
Ulagamae thuyarumae… ulagamae thuyaramae
Thurandhidil thunbamum illai
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai
Karuvukkullae thondri vittaal
Kavalaikku panjamum illai….
Yaarukku yaarum sondhamillai
Paarukkul enakkor bandham illai…
No one belongs to anyone,
In this world, I have no ties.
Once life begins in the womb,
there is no shortage of sorrow.
Before justice, affection fades away,
Before duty, even love is shattered,
The trials of life continue on,
and every bond is broken.
Birth itself is suffering... birth itself is suffering,
once you die, there is no sorrow.
No one belongs to anyone,
In this world, I have no ties.
Once life begins in the womb,
there is no shortage of sorrow.
All the dreams born in the heart
fade away like waves upon water,
All the sweet words shared in bed
end at the edge of silence.
The whole world is sorrow, the world is only sorrow,
once you renounce it, there is no pain.
No one belongs to anyone,
In this world, I have no ties.
Once life begins in the womb,
there is no shortage of sorrow.
No one belongs to anyone,
In this world, I have no ties.
Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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'.

Did you know?

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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