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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaasa Malar

From Sri Murugan · 1946

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
U. R. Jeevarathinam
Music directors
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Sri Murugan1946

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaasam malar kuzhal soodavumShe detests wearing fragrant flowers in her hair,
Aadai mani panigalAnd fine garments or precious gem-studded ornaments;
Aniyavum manam veruppaalHer mind rejects them all in deep aversion.
Vaasam malar kuzhal soodavumShe detests wearing fragrant flowers in her hair,
Aadai mani panigalAnd fine garments or precious gem-studded ornaments;
Aniyavum manam veruppaalHer mind rejects them all in deep aversion.
Osai iniya kuyinoli seviyuraWhen the sweet melodious call of the cuckoo reaches her ears,
Pei oliyena aruveruppaalShe shrinks back in disgust as if it were the shriek of a ghost.
Female
Osai iniya kuyinoli seviyuraWhen the sweet melodious call of the cuckoo reaches her ears,
Pei oliyena aruveruppaalShe shrinks back in disgust as if it were the shriek of a ghost.
Maasil kaadhal vasamaai nedunaalaaiCapitulated by pure, flawless love for a long time,
Kann urangiyum ariyaalHer eyes do not know the bliss of sleep.
Female
Maamoganaa girithaalai kaeriClimbing the enchanting mountain slopes,
Ulagaiyum pazhithu unavaiyum marandhaalShe spurns worldly life and forgets even her food.
Veesum thendral seerum aravamendruMistaking the blowing gentle breeze for a hissing snake,
Viraindhu solaiyil ezhil yeruvaalShe rushes hastily into the beautiful grove.
Veesum thendral seerum aravamendruMistaking the blowing gentle breeze for a hissing snake,
Viraindhu solaiyil ezhil yeruvaalShe rushes hastily into the beautiful grove.
Female
Veiyal vayalandri niraimadhi neelaavinSuffering from the full moon's glow as if it were scorching heat,
Vilaiyaadum paandiyaridam kooruvaalShe complains to the playful maidens nearby.
Vilaiyaadum paandiyaridam kooruvaalShe complains to the playful maidens nearby.
Vaedhuval adikkadi murugaa guhaa vendruSighing frequently and chanting 'Muruga! Guha!',
Yaaridamum kooruvaalShe speaks her grief to whoever is present.
Penn paavam thodaraa munn kai mudikkaBefore the sin of afflicting a maiden touches you, hold her hand in marriage;
Viraindhu … selvaai mayilaeruvaaiHasten... mount your peacock and go,
Iraivaa selvaai mayilaeruvaaiO Lord, mount your peacock and go!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts 'Viraha Thapam' (the agony of separation in divine love) experienced by a devotee/heroine yearning for Lord Murugan. Overwhelmed by love-sickness, she loses interest in worldly delights such as adornments, flowers, and fine clothing. Sensory pleasures turn into painful torments: the sweet song of a cuckoo sounds like a demon's shriek, a soothing breeze feels like a hissing serpent, and cool moonlight scorches her like the hot sun. She wanders the hill slopes, forgetting sleep and food, calling out Lord Murugan's sacred names. The song concludes with a passionate plea from her companion (sakhi) to Lord Murugan. She urges the deity to ride his sacred peacock and arrive swiftly to marry the tormented maiden, saving her from her suffering before the sin of harming a devoted young woman falls upon him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Metaphor (Upamai)

Pei oliyena aruveruppaal

Compares the delightful sound of a cuckoo to the terrifying shriek of a ghost (Pei oli) to highlight the distorting effect of extreme grief and longing.

Metaphor / Imagery (Uruvam)

Veesum thendral seerum aravamendru

Compares the soothing gentle breeze (thendral) to a hissing serpent (seerum aravam) to convey how pleasant sensations become unbearable agony in viraha.

Oxymoron / Hyperbole

Veiyal vayalandri niraimadhi neelaavin

Describes the cool, soothing full moonlight as burning like relentless daylight sun (veiyal), emphasizing the intense heat of love-sickness.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Osai iniya kuyinoli seviyura / Maasil kaadhal vasamaai nedunaalaai

The second consonant 's' / 'sh' repeats in consecutive lines ('Osai', 'Maasil'), creating auditory harmony in classic Tamil prosody.

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Trivia

Sri Murugan (1946) was a landmark mythological film produced by Jupiter Pictures. The lyrics were penned by Papanasam Sivan, renowned as the 'Tamil Tyagaraja' for his divine classical Carnatic compositions. The film is also noted for featuring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) early in his career in the role of Lord Shiva.

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