The song “நாளை உலகம் இல்லை என்றானால்” (“Naalai Ulagam Illai Endraal”) from the Tamil film “Love Birds” (1996), composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, delves into the profound depths of love when faced with the notion of an impending end.
English Translation of the Lyrics:
Male: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh beauty, what will you do?
Female: I will open my eyes, forget time,
And finally gaze at the sky.
I will kneel down, bow to the earth,
And place a kiss upon the ground.
Falling upon your chest, with tearful eyes,
I will pray for only you to live.
Male: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh beauty, what will you do?
Female: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh love, what will you do?
Male: I will live in one day the life meant for a hundred years.
Pressing my lips upon yours,
I will close my eyes.
Giving a happiness that makes one forget death,
I will make death itself disappear.
Male: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh beauty, what will you do?
Female: As long as love is needed,
The earth will not perish.
Even if a thousand lightning bolts strike,
The sky will not tear apart.
Male: The sea will become land, the land will become sea,
Yet our earth will not disappear.
Female: Bodies may go, feelings may fade,
But the soul of love will never perish.
Female: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh life, what will you do?
Male: I will bow to the sky, bow to the earth,
And embrace you.
Arranging a bed of a thousand flowers,
I will unite with you and give life.
Until my life separates from the earth,
I will protect your life and sacrifice mine.
Male: If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow,
Oh beauty, what will you do?
Analysis:
This evocative song contemplates the hypothetical scenario of the world’s end, exploring the profound emotions and actions of lovers in such a situation. The recurring question, “If the world doesn’t exist tomorrow, what will you do?” serves as a poignant reflection on the transient nature of life and the enduring power of love.
The lyrics emphasize seizing the present moment, cherishing love, and expressing deep affection without reservation. The imagery of bowing to the sky and earth, kissing the ground, and embracing one’s beloved underscores a profound connection to both the cosmos and the immediate, tangible world.
Furthermore, the song conveys the belief that as long as love exists, the world remains eternal. Even amidst cataclysmic events, the essence of love endures beyond physical existence, highlighting its timeless and indestructible nature.
Overall, “நாளை உலகம் இல்லை என்றானால்” is a lyrical meditation on the impermanence of life and the eternal nature of love, urging listeners to appreciate and immerse themselves fully in their relationships, regardless of the uncertainties that the future may hold.
