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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yenaiye Yenaku

From Thirupathi · 2006

Lyricist
Perarasu
Singer
Vijay Yesudas
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Thirupathi2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility
Pinnala poranthathinaal ilaiyavalaIs she the younger one just because she was born later?
Munnaala iranthathinaal mooththavalaIs she the elder one now because she died before me?
Thangaiya poranthaalaeShe was born as a younger sister
Thaayaai valanthaalaeYet she nurtured me like a mother
Thaniyaai paranthathinaalBecause she flew away all alone
Theivamaai aanaalaeShe has now become a goddess
Male
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility
Male
Irukkum pothunilaeWhen you were still alive
Ulagam theriyalaI didn't understand the real world
Nee pona pinnaalaNow that you are gone
Ulagam perithillaThis world holds no meaning anymore
Male
Enna nenappuladiWhat were you thinking, my girl?
Poyi tholanjuputtaThat you just left and vanished?
Irukkum uyirukkellaamFor all the living souls left behind
Kolli vechupputtaYou have set fire to our hearts
Varatha vaangi vaazhva vittiyaDid you give up your life after fulfilling your boons?
Adi unna neeyae kuththu vittiyaOh dear, did you stab yourself to death?
Male
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility
Male
Aaah aaa…..aaa……[Vocalizing lamentation]
Haa…aaa…aaa…..aaa…aa….[Vocalizing lamentation]
Aaah aaa…..aaa……[Vocalizing lamentation]
Haa…aaa…aaa…..aaa…aa….[Vocalizing lamentation]
Male
Entha bayathuladiOut of what fear, my girl
Kanna moodittaDid you close your eyes forever?
Yaar potta kanakkuladiBy whose cruel calculation
Uyira niruththittaDid you put an end to your life?
Male
Peththa manasukullaIn the hearts of the parents who gave birth to you
Raththam uraiya vechaYou froze their blood with grief
Enga porathukkuWhere were you heading to
Somaya erakki vechaThat made you lay down your life's burden?
Varatha vaangi vaazhva vittiyaDid you give up your life after fulfilling your boons?
Adi unna neeyae kuththu vittiyaOh dear, did you stab yourself to death?
Male
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility
Pinnala poranthathinaal ilaiyavalaIs she the younger one just because she was born later?
Munnaala iranthathinaal mooththavalaIs she the elder one now because she died before me?
Thangaiya poranthaalaeShe was born as a younger sister
Thaayaai valanthaalaeYet she nurtured me like a mother
Thaniyaai paranthathinaalBecause she flew away all alone
Theivamaai aanaalaeShe has now become a goddess
Male
Ennaiyae ennaku pudikkaliyaeI don't even like myself anymore
Annanaai irunthum poruppilaiyaeEven though I am an elder brother, I lacked responsibility

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This heart-wrenching song expresses the unbearable grief and guilt of an elder brother mourning the tragic death of his younger sister. He blames himself for failing in his duty as a protective elder brother, feeling deep self-loathing. He poignantly reflects on how she was born younger, yet cared for him with maternal tenderness, and how her early death ironically makes her 'older' in spirit as she ascends to godhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis)

Pinnala poranthathinaal ilaiyavala / Munnaala iranthathinaal mooththavala

Contrasts being born later ('pinnala') to mean younger with dying earlier ('munnaala') to mean elder, creating a tragic paradox.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pinnala poranthathinaal / Munnaala iranthathinaal

The second letter consonant sound ('nn') rhymes between 'Pinnala' and 'Munnaala'.

Metaphor

Thaayaai valanthaalae

Metaphorically equates the younger sister's protective and loving care to that of a mother.

Rhetorical Question

Entha bayathuladi Kanna mooditta

The brother despairingly asks what fear drove her to close her eyes forever, expressing profound grief and helplessness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by director-lyricist Perarasu for the 2006 film 'Thirupathi' starring Ajith Kumar, this song highlights the central emotional pillar of the plot—the deep sibling bond between the lead character Thirupathi and his sister. The music for the film was composed by Bharadwaj, and the song was sung with intense raw emotion by folk singer Pushpavanam Kuppusamy.

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