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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasai Alai Modhudhe

From Genova · 1953

Lyricist
Achu Rajamani
Singers
A. M. Rajah, P. Leela
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, M. S. Gnanamani, T. A. Kalyanam
Details
Genova1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aasaiyae alai moththaeDesires surge like crashing waves
Kasappaaguthae manamaeThe heart turns bitter
Aasaiyae alai moththaeDesires surge like crashing waves
Kasappaaguthae manamaeThe heart turns bitter
Female
Thediyae manam oduthaeSearching, my heart runs out
Anbe en aaruyiraeOh love, my precious soul
Thediyae manam oduthaeSearching, my heart runs out
Anbe en aaruyirae unaiyaeOh love, my precious soul, only for you
Male
Anbaana neeyumEven you, who are so loving
Arugae illaathaeAre not near me
Anbaana neeyum arugaeLoving as you are, not being near
Illaathae sugamae tharaathaeBrings no joy or comfort
Nizhalkooda thee pol suduthaeEven the shadow burns like fire
Vidaathae karunaiyillaathaeRelentless and merciless
Female
Thediyae manam oduthaeSearching, my heart runs out
Anbe en aaruyirae unaiyaeOh love, my precious soul, only for you
Anbe en aaruyiraeOh love, my precious soul
Male
Ilamai Puraavae enaiyae nilaavae oo…oo…Oh youthful dove, oh moon of my life...
Ilamai Puraavae enaiyaeOh youthful dove, my very own
Nilaavae ennaiyae nilaavaeOh moon, my precious moon
Edhiraali polae vaattuthaeTorments me like an enemy
Female
Pirivaalae naanae amaithiyillaenaeBecause of this separation, I have no peace
Thaniyaana Pothum pudhu vaazhvu yaedhuEven when alone, where is a new life?
Kadal neelam polae irulae innaalaeDarkness today is as vast as the blue sea
Kavalaiyathaalae kasappaaguthae manamae…yae…Due to deep worry, the heart turns bitter
Female
Thediyae manam oduthaeSearching, my heart runs out
Anbe en aaruyirae unaiyaeOh love, my precious soul, only for you
Male
Aasaiyae alai moththaeDesires surge like crashing waves
Kasappaaguthae manamaeThe heart turns bitter

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the poignant grief and agony of separation between lovers. The speaker feels that overwhelming desire crashes against the heart like relentless ocean waves, leaving behind bitterness and sorrow. Without the warmth of the beloved's presence, even cool shadows feel as hot as fire, and the surrounding world appears as dark and vast as the ocean.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nizhalkooda thee pol suduthae

Compares pain and environmental coldness to fire ('Nizhalkooda thee pol suduthae' - Even the shadow burns like fire) and darkness to the blue ocean ('Kadal neelam polae irulae').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Aasaiyae alai moththae

Desire is metaphorically visualised as crashing sea waves ('Aasaiyae alai moththae') and the beloved is called a 'youthful dove' and 'moon'.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thediyae manam oduthae / Anbe en aaruyirae

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds across adjacent lines to create melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Genova (1953) was a religious drama film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). It was originally produced as a Malayalam movie and simultaneously dubbed/shot in Tamil, marking one of MGR's early career films and an early musical composition credit involving M. S. Viswanathan before his famous partnership with T. K. Ramamoorthy.

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