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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yelay Yelay

From Kozhipannai Chelladurai · 2024

Lyricist
Ekadasi
Singer
S. P. Charan
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Details
Kozhipannai Chelladurai2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yelay yelay en saami inga paakumaHey, will my Lord look this way?
Yelay yelay kathaala boomi pookumaHey, will this arid cactus land bloom?
Male
Nenjam venthu pogumaWill the heart burn in anguish?
Ada engo thanjameOh, where is refuge found?
Kanneer sinthum paravaingaWill these birds shedding tears...
Karunai kai serumaReach a compassionate hand?
Male
Ulagam pollatha porkalamThe world is a cruel battlefield,
Idhil yaar nallorgaloIn this, who are the righteous ones?
Idhayam illadha maanudamMankind lacks a heart,
Vazhi yaar sollvargaloWho will guide the way?
Male
Yelay yelay en saami inga paakumaHey, will my Lord look this way?
Yelay yelay kathaala boomi pookumaHey, will this arid cactus land bloom?
Male
Ulagam veli ulagamThe world is a vast outer world,
Evar vaala edan kaatumeWhom will it allow a place to live?
Uravum entha uravumAny relationship or kinship...
Nondha manasa ranamaakumeWill only wound an aching heart further.
Male
Yaarume unakillaiyaIs there no one for you?
Kalangi pogathe nenjameDo not lose heart, oh soul!
Vaaname uravaagumeThe sky itself will become your kin,
Erangi unai thaangumeIt will come down to support you.
Nesamum paasamumAffection and love...
Nidhamum nilam kaatumeThe earth will show you daily.
Poo marangal thaalatumeFlowering trees will sing you a lullaby.
Male
Yelay yelay en saami inga paakumaHey, will my Lord look this way?
Yelay yelay kathaala boomi pookumaHey, will this arid cactus land bloom?
Male
Nerupil sutta piragumEven after being burned in fire,
Sangu karuthu pogathammaA conch shell does not turn black, my child.
Oor sol ulla valikkumWords of the town hurt deep inside,
Vazhi kaatum vali thaanammaYet pain itself is what shows the path, my child.
Male
Velichathai vara vaipavanThe One who brings forth the light,
Iruttil unai thaali parkiraanTests and sifts you in the dark.
Bayamindri nadanthal avanIf you walk without fear, He
Vilakai unakaaga yetruvaanWill light the lamp for you.
Kadanthu vaa nadanthu vaaOvercome and walk forward,
Thodarum un vaazhkaiyeYour life will continue on.
Poo malarum un paadhaiyeFlowers will bloom along your path.
Male
Yelay yelay en saami inga paakumaHey, will my Lord look this way?
Yelay yelay kathaala boomi pookumaHey, will this arid cactus land bloom?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This melancholic yet hopeful song from 'Kozhipannai Chelladurai' explores existential struggle, loneliness, and resilient faith amidst hardships. The lyrics voice the anguish of a suffering soul questioning whether divine grace or human empathy will ever reach them in a cruel world. However, as the song progresses, it offers deep emotional comfort by reminding the listener that nature and the divine will ultimately provide solace, urging them to endure suffering with courage because pain itself serves as a guiding light towards a brighter tomorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ulagam pollatha porkalam

Compares the harsh, unforgiving world directly to a cruel battlefield.

Traditional Idiom / Analogy

Nerupil sutta piragum Sangu karuthu pogathamma

Refers to the classic Tamil proverb where a conch shell retains its bright white purity even when subjected to intense fire, symbolizing innate nobility and resilience during adversity.

Personification

Poo marangal thaalatume

Attributes human maternal behavior (singing a lullaby) to flowering trees comforting a weary heart.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

Thodarum un vaazhkaiye / Poo malarum un paadhaiye

The ending words 'vaazhkaiye' and 'paadhaiye' create a harmonious, uplifting poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kozhipannai Chelladurai' (2024) is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Seenu Ramasamy, known for his realistic rural dramas emphasizing human emotion. The song features music composed by N. R. Raghunanthan and expressive vocals by S. P. Charan.

Keep listening

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