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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yethi Vacha Deepam

From Aayusu Nooru · 2015

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Aayusu Nooru2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neramWhen the lit lamp was burning bright,
Enna theerndhu pochuThe oil ran out.
Kaadhalicha paavam kai pidikkum neramAs a sin for falling in love, just when it was time to hold hands,
Ellaam maari pochuEverything changed.
Male
Thandhaananae nanenaana…(4)Thandhaananae nanenaana… (x4)
Male
Kena paiyan oorukkullaFoolish boys in the village,
Kirukku paiyan nattaamaiAnd a crazy guy as the village chief,
Karppu ketta ponnu endruCalling her a girl who lost her chastity—
Solluradhu yedhunmaiWhere is the truth in what they say?
Male
Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neramWhen the lit lamp was burning bright,
Enna theerndhu pochuThe oil ran out.
Kaadhalicha paavam kai pidikkum neramAs a sin for falling in love, just when it was time to hold hands,
Ellaam maari pochuEverything changed.
Male
Pana marathu pakkathulaStanding near a palmyra palm tree,
Paal kudichu ninnavalaShe was just drinking milk,
Kal kudichu ninnaalendruBut they said she was drinking toddy,
Kadha onnu sonnagalaeAnd concocted a rumor about her.
Male
Seethiyai thaan theeyil irakkiThey subjected Sita to the fire,
Sodhanai thaan seidhaangaAnd put her through a trial of purity;
paedhaiyai thaan theruvil irakkiLikewise, they brought this innocent girl onto the street,
Pulli onnu vechaagaAnd put a stain on her character.
Male
Kel viragil nei rombhaThey lied that ghee was dripping in abundance
Vadiyudhu sonnaagaFrom finger millet grains,
Ketpavanga buthi kettuAnd the foolish listeners lost their senses,
Thonnaiyodu ninnaagaStanding with leaf cups to collect it.
Male
Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neramWhen the lit lamp was burning bright,
Enna theerndhu pochuThe oil ran out.
Kaadhalicha paavam kai pidikkum neramAs a sin for falling in love, just when it was time to hold hands,
Ellaam maari pochuEverything changed.
Male
Vennaiyadhu theralaiyilaeBefore the butter could even curdle,
Thaazhiyum thaan odanjadhunnuThey claimed the churning pot was broken.
Penmai iva vaazhkaiyilaeIn the life of this young woman,
Thaali kattumaalum maaraBefore the sacred marriage thread could be tied,
Male
Thala kuninju ponaa ponnuThe girl bowed her head in humiliation,
Thalaivanum thaan azhudhaan ninnuAnd the lover stood there weeping.
Manamodanju mangai kannuWith a broken heart, the maiden's eyes
Pongi varum gangai endruFlowed like the surging Ganges river.
Male
Vella kaakka oorukkullaWhen someone said a white crow
Parakkudhunnu sonnaagaWas flying in the village sky,
Vevestha ketta aalugalumThe shameless people around
Annaandhu paarthaagaLooked up at the sky to watch it.
Male
Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neramWhen the lit lamp was burning bright,
Enna theerndhu pochuThe oil ran out.
Kaadhalicha paavam kai pidikkum neramAs a sin for falling in love, just when it was time to hold hands,
Ellaam maari pochuEverything changed.
Male
Thandhaananae nanenaanaa…(4)Thandhaananae nanenaanaa… (x4)
Male
Kena paiyan oorukkullaFoolish boys in the village,
Kirukku paiyan nattaamaiAnd a crazy guy as the village chief,
Karppu ketta ponnu endruCalling her a girl who lost her chastity—
Solluradhu yedhunmaiWhere is the truth in what they say?
Male
Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neramWhen the lit lamp was burning bright,
Enna theerndhu pochuThe oil ran out.
Kaadhalicha paavam kai pidikkum neramAs a sin for falling in love, just when it was time to hold hands,
Ellaam maari pochuEverything changed.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant folk-style song from 'Aayusu Nooru' expresses deep anguish and moral critique against malicious village gossip, hypocrisy, and mob gullibility. The core metaphor revolves around a lit lamp running out of oil just as it burns brightest—symbolizing a promising relationship and life cut short right at the cusp of marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Yethi vecha deepam erigindra neram / Enna theerndhu pochu

The sudden running out of lamp oil is used as a metaphor for the unexpected collapse of hopes and happiness just when the lovers were set to unite.

Proverb / Idiom (Pazhamozhi)

Pana marathu pakkathula paal kudichu ninnavala kal kudichu ninnaalendru

Refers to the traditional Tamil adage about drinking milk under a palm tree—no matter how innocent you are, society assumes the worst (that you are drinking palm wine/toddy).

Hyperbole / Allusion

Kel viragil nei rombha vadiyudhu sonnaaga... Vella kaakka oorukkulla parakkudhunnu sonnaaga

Uses absurd hyperbole (ghee dripping from ragi, white crows flying) to satirize how easily gullible, shameless villagers believe malicious rumors.

Simile (Upamai)

Manamodanju mangai kannu pongi varum gangai endru

Compares the tearful eyes of the heartbroken woman to the overflowing Ganges river.

Monai (Alliteration)

Kena paiyan oorukkulla / Kirukku paiyan nattaamai

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' (Kena / Kirukku) across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written and composed by T. Rajendar, this song showcases his signature style of combining folk rhythms, traditional Tamil proverbs, and tragic social melodrama. Veteran singer P. Jayachandran lent his voice to give the track a soulful, melancholic depth.

Keep listening

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