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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yen Aluthaai

From Iruvar Ullam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Iruvar Ullam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
14 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
Naan aluthu ointhatharkku
Nandri sollavoo aluthaai
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
Naan aluthu ointhatharkku
Nandri sollavoo aluthaai
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
Aana varai sollivitten
Aluthaluthu paarthu vitten
Thaai mozhiyil vaarthai illai
Vaai mozhikkum valimai illai
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
En valakkil saatchi illai
Enadhu pakkam yaarum illai
Sattam tharum salugai kooda
Samudhaayam tharavillayae
Maranam vanthaal therinthu vidum
Naan manidhan endru purindhu vidum
Oor sumandhu pogum podhu
Unakkum kooda vilangi vidum
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
Naan aluthu ointhatharkku
Nandri sollavoo aluthaai
Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai
Ennuyirae yen aluthaai
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
For all the tears I wept until I was spent,
Did you cry to say thank you?
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
For all the tears I wept until I was spent,
Did you cry to say thank you?
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
I have said everything I possibly could,
I wept and wept to see if it would help,
There are no words left in my mother tongue,
And spoken words have lost all their power.
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
There are no witnesses in my case,
There is no one standing on my side.
Even the mercy that the law grants,
This society never gave me.
When death arrives, the truth will be known,
They will understand that I was human.
When the town carries me away,
Even you will finally understand.
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
For all the tears I wept until I was spent,
Did you cry to say thank you?
Why did you cry? Why did you cry?
My precious life, why did you cry?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from Iruvar Ullam (1963), penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, is a poignant reflection on suffering, societal injustice, and emotional exhaustion. The protagonist addresses a beloved companion, questioning the reason behind their tears and wonderingly asking if those tears are an offering of gratitude now that his own endless crying has dried up. He laments that words have lost their power to plead innocence, as no language can express the depth of his pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Monai

“Yen aluthaai yen aluthaai”

Repetition of the phrase 'Yen aluthaai' creates an emphatic, rhythmic opening line emphasizing anguish.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Thaai mozhiyil vaarthai illai / Vaai mozhikkum valimai illai”

Both lines end with the word 'illai', creating a cohesive auditory rhythm that underlines despair.

Muran (Contrast / Antithesis)

“Sattam tharum salugai kooda / Samudhaayam tharavillayae”

Contrasts the formal mercy offered by law against the relentless cruelty and denial of grace by society.

Did you know?

Trivia

Iruvar Ullam (1963) featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with memorable vocal renditions by T. M. Soundararajan and lyrics by Kannadasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi.

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