Poeticness of Contemporary Tamil Lyrics

As most people know, I’m a movie buff. I watch movies as if it’s part of my education curriculum. When I talk to people about movies in recent times most of my friends don’t realize the poeticness of the lyrics in the recent Tamil songs that's on loop in their playlist. So I’ve compiled a list of five lyrics of such nature in recent times where the underlying meaning is far deeper than what’s on the surface. These are the lines that came to my mind instantly without any preparation so here goes

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From 96 - Andhaadhi by Karthik Nehta - My Personal Favourite

“அந்தாதி நீ”

அந்தம் - End

ஆதி - Beginning

Andhaadhi is a form of poetry constructed such that the last or ending word of each verse becomes the first word of the next verse of the poem and the last word of the series of verses becomes the beginning of the very first verse of the poem, thus making the poem a true garland of verses.

So, calling your beloved Andhaadhi means that you begin with her, you end with her and everything in the middle will always involve her which in my opinion is the most profound way in which one can address his/her soulmate.

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From Enai Noki Paayum Thota - Hey Nijame by Madan Karky

“சுழலாதிரு உலகே! மீணிகழுணர்வொன்றிலே வசிக்கின்றேன்!”

மீணிகழுணர்வொன்றிலே வசிக்கின்றேன் - மீண்டும் நிகழ்கின்ற உணர்வு ஒன்றிலே வசிக்கிறேன்

The lyrics translate as

Oh, world!

Could you stop spinning?

I’m experiencing a deja-vu.

Give me a little time to embrace this moment.

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From Dear Comrade - Pulaaradha Kaalai Thanile by Karthik Nehta

“புலரா காதலே புணரும் காதலே

அலராய் காதலே அலறும் காதலே”

புலர் - வாடுவது - Witherable

புனர் - மறுபிறப்பு - Rebirth

அலர் - மலர் - Blossom

அலறும் - Scream

The lyrics translate as

வாடாத இளங்காதலே மறுபிறவிகள் தோறும் பிறக்கும் காதலே மலராய் காதலே என துடிக்கும் காதலே

The English translation would be "A love that is unwithered, A love that incarnates multiple forms, A love that is yearning to blossom"

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From Karnan - Thattaan Thattaan by Yugabharathi

“சொக்கப்பனை மேல நின்னு அடிச்ச சூர காத்தாட்டோம்”

சொக்கப்பனை - During the festival of Karthigai Deepam in Siva Temples, a raging fire is created as a ritual.

The lyrics translate as

Stormwind over a Sokkapanai

Meaning that my beloved calms me like how a stormwind cools downs the bellowed heat of the raging fire which is a sokkapanai.

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From 96 - Kadhale Kadhale by Karthik Nehta

"கொஞ்சும் பூரணமே வா

நீ கொஞ்சும் ஏழிசையே

பஞ்சவர்ண பூதம்

நெஞ்சம் நிறையுதே

காண்பதெல்லாம் காதலடி"

The lyrics translate as

My cuddling world come to me in your entirety

You’re the soothing seven swaras that creates music

The spirit of five basic elements

My heart is brimming as I witness love everywhere.