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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadum Azhage Azhagu

From Raja Rajan · 1957

Lyricist
Pugazhendhi
Singers
P. Leela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Raja Rajan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Odum nadhiyilIn the running river
Alai oyil polavaeLike the graceful rhythm of waves
Odum nadhiyil alai oyil polavaeLike the graceful rhythm of waves in a running river
Female
Kuyil paadum isaikkuTo the music sung by the cuckoo
Porul therindhuUnderstanding its inner meaning
Thogai mayil aadum azhagae azhaguExtremely beautiful is the dance of the feathered peacock
Female
Oodhum magudi tharumHearing the music produced
Osai thanai kettuBy blowing the magudi instrument
Oiyaaramaai naaga paambaadumaeThe cobra serpent sways with grace
Oodhum magudi tharumHearing the music produced
Osai thanai kettuBy blowing the magudi instrument
Oiyaaramaai naaga paambaadumaeThe cobra serpent sways with grace
Female
Modhum vasanthaUnderstanding the passion
Thendral mogam therindhuOf the caressing spring breeze
Muthu mullai nagai purindhuSmiling like pearl-like jasmine blossoms
UravaadumaeIt engages in an intimate bond
Female
Modhum vasanthaUnderstanding the passion
Thendral mogam therindhuOf the caressing spring breeze
Muthu mullai nagai purindhuSmiling like pearl-like jasmine blossoms
UravaadumaeIt engages in an intimate bond
Female
Nava bhaavam mmm mm mmNine expressions... mmm mm mm
Female
Raagam mm…mm…mm..Raga (melody)... mm…mm…mm..
Female
Thaalam mmm mmm mm mmTala (rhythm)... mmm mmm mm mm
Female
Pangayam pol kuvindhaClasping fingers together like a lotus bud
Viralgalai neettiAnd extending them outwards
Sengadhirai thingalai abinayam koottiDepicting the radiant sun and the moon through expressions
Female
Mangala aadai anigalai poottiAdorned in auspicious attire and jewelry
Female
Aa…Aa…
Female
Aa…Aa…
Female
Aa…Aa…
Female
Aa…Aa…
Mangala aadai anigalai poottiAdorned in auspicious attire and jewelry
Kan kavar nadana kalai thiran kaattiShowcasing eye-captivating dance artistic talents
Female
Senthamizh kaaviyathai manam naadaAs the heart longs for classical Tamil epic literature
Female
Sundhara thaai mozhiyin pughazh paadaTo sing the glory of the beautiful mother tongue
Female
Konjidum veenaiyil viralaadaAs fingers dance on the lulling veena
Konjidum veenaiyil viralaadaAs fingers dance on the lulling veena
Female
Ulla sanjalam yaavum parandhodaAll worries of the mind fly away and vanish

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classical lyric from Raja Rajan (1957) celebrates the harmonious union of nature, classical performing arts, and the richness of the Tamil language. It begins by drawing vivid parallels between art and nature: waves dancing gracefully in a river, peacocks dancing to the cuckoo's music, a cobra swaying to the magudi, and jasmine blossoms blooming in response to the gentle spring breeze. The song then transitions to the technical elegance of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, describing expressions (Navarasa), melody (Raga), rhythm (Tala), and intricate hand gestures (Mudras) representing celestial bodies like the sun and moon. Ultimately, it emphasizes that immersing oneself in the beauty of Tamil literature, classical dance, and the sweet notes of the veena causes all internal anxieties to melt away.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Pangayam pol kuvindha

Compares the dancer's folded fingers to a lotus bud ('Pangayam pol kuvindha viralgal').

Visual Imagery

Thogai mayil aadum azhagae azhagu

Paints a vivid picture of a peacock spreading its feathers and dancing to music.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Senthamizh kaaviyathai manam naada

The second letter 'n' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Senthamizh' and 'Sundhara').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raja Rajan' (1957) starred M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi in lead roles. Lyricist Pugazhendhi skillfully woven Carnatic dance mudras, Tamil devotion, and nature aesthetics into this song sequence.

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