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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

18 Vayathil

From Kaadhal Kondein · 2003

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Kaadhal Kondein2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Woah woahwoahWoah woahwoah
Woah woah woah woahaaa….Woah woah woah woahaaa….
Male
Pathinettu vayathilAt eighteen years of age,
Paarpavai ellaameverything that you see,
Padi thaandi paarthu pazhaguget used to looking beyond boundaries.
Padagotti vaazhkaiA boatman's life
Kadaloadu dhaanaeis with the sea, after all;
Alai thaandi aada paazhaguget used to dancing beyond the waves.
Male
Ada inbam enbadhuHey, pleasure is
Pengal dhaanadawomen indeed, my friend;
Aasaiyellaam avalil adangaadhoo..doesn't all desire culminate in her?
Oohoo..ooo…oooOohoo..ooo…ooo
Male
Oru aanmai enbadhuA man's masculinity,
Penmai enbadhaimakes womanhood
Aiyo aiyo solla vaikkadhoo…cry out 'Oh my, oh my!' doesn't it?
Oohoo..ooo…oooOohoo..ooo…ooo
Male
Pathinettu vayathilAt eighteen years of age,
Paarpavai ellaameverything that you see,
Padi thaandi paarthu pazhaguget used to looking beyond boundaries.
Padagotti vaazhkaiA boatman's life
Kadaloadu dhaanaeis with the sea, after all;
Alai thaandi aada paazhaguget used to dancing beyond the waves.
Chorus
…………………………………..
Male
Kadarkarai saalaiyoramBy the side of the beach road,
Bodhai dhaan yerum neramat the time when intoxication rises,
Aangal pengal bedham kidaiyaadhaethere is no distinction between men and women.
Male
Angangal thottu konduTouching each other's body parts,
Analaaga patrikonducatching fire like intense heat,
Aadum aattam mudivae kidaiyaadhaethe dance they dance has no end.
Male
Ada pinnaal yaar ivalHey, who is this girl behind me,
Pallaal kadikkiraalbiting me with her teeth?
Aiyo ivalai engae thottenooOh my, where did I touch her?
Male
Idhu naagareegamaIs this modern civilization,
Naattin vegamaor the speed of the nation?
Kurai sollum manidhar ellaamAll you people who find fault,
Porvai poththi thoongungalcover yourselves with blankets and go to sleep!
Male
Pathinettu vayathilAt eighteen years of age,
Paarpavai ellaameverything that you see,
Padi thaandi paarthu pazhaguget used to looking beyond boundaries.
Padagotti vaazhkaiA boatman's life
Kadaloadu dhaanaeis with the sea, after all;
Alai thaandi aada paazhaguget used to dancing beyond the waves.
Chorus
………………………………..
Male
Kangalaal paarthu vittuAfter looking with your eyes
Kaadhalum sollivittuand expressing your love,
Aiyo ennai anna enbaayaeoh my, you will end up calling me brother!
Male
Angangae killivittuPinching me here and there,
Azhumbodhu thallivittuand pushing me away when I cry,
America vaazha poavaayaeyou will fly away to live in America!
Male
Adi kaadhal enbadhuHey girl, love is
Pala kaigal korpadhuholding many hands together;
Kanner ellaam ingae udhavaadhae… heytears won't help you at all here... hey!
Male
Manam ingae ennidamYour heart is here with me,
Udal angae avanidamyour body is over there with him;
Appadi aanaal undhanif that is the case, then
Peyar dhaan ennawhat indeed is your name?
Chorus
…………………………..
Male
Ada inbam enbadhuHey, pleasure is
Pengal dhaanadawomen indeed, my friend;
Aasaiyellaam avalil adangaadhoo..doesn't all desire culminate in her?
Oohoo..ooo…oooOohoo..ooo…ooo
Male
Oru aanmai enbadhuA man's masculinity,
Penmai enbadhaimakes womanhood
Aiyo aiyo solla vaikkadhoo…cry out 'Oh my, oh my!' doesn't it?
Oohoo..ooo…oooOohoo..ooo…ooo
Male
Pathinettu vayathilAt eighteen years of age,
Paarpavai ellaameverything that you see,
Padi thaandi paarthu pazhaguget used to looking beyond boundaries.
Chorus :…………………………………..
Male
Padagotti vaazhkaiA boatman's life
Kadaloadu dhaanaeis with the sea, after all;
Alai thaandi aada paazhaguget used to dancing beyond the waves.
Chorus :………………………………………

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song '18 Vayathil' captures the wild, energetic, and boundary-pushing nature of turning eighteen. It serves as a commentary on youth culture, exploring themes of sensual liberation, modern relationships, nightlife, and the thrill of stepping into adulthood. The lyrics encourage young people to push past traditional limits, comparing life to a boatman who must learn to dance across rough sea waves. At the same time, the song humorously addresses the ironies of modern romance, such as heartbreak, superficial commitments, and social hypocrisy. It tells critics and older conservative onlookers to stay out of the way, celebrating youthful rebellion, passion, and the unfiltered experiences that define coming of age.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Pathinettu / Paarpavai / Padi

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow and emphasis.

Metaphor

Padagotti vaazhkai kadaloadu dhaanae / Alai thaandi aada paazhagu

Compares navigating youth and adulthood to a boatman braving ocean waves.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kadarkarai saalaiyoram / Bodhai dhaan yerum neram

Matching end sounds ('saalaiyoram' and 'neram') establish a catchy lyrical rhythm.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Manam ingae ennidam / Udal angae avanidam

Contrasts the mind being in one place ('ingae') with the physical body being elsewhere ('angae').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaadhal Kondein' (2003) was a landmark psychological thriller directed by Selvaraghavan, starring his brother Dhanush in a breakthrough role. The soundtrack was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, featuring iconic lyrics written by Na. Muthukumar, marking one of the early major collaborations of this celebrated musical trio.

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