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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasai Kanave

From Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei · 2006

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Naresh Iyer, Kalyani Nair
Music director
Sabesh – Murali
Details
Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hahahaha haaHahahaha haa
Female
Hahahaha haaHahahaha haa
Male
Aasai kanaveO dream of desire
Aasai kanaveO dream of desire
Athisaya nilaveO wondrous moon
Kaadhal ulagam kaana vaaCome to see the world of love
Female
Thanga manameO golden heart
Singa gunameO lion-hearted valiant soul
Kanni thamizhai paruga vaaCome to drink the virgin Tamil language
Male
Koodal nagarilIn the historic city of Madurai
Vaigai manalilOn the sands of river Vaigai
Kooda vendum odi vaaWe must unite, come running
Female
Konjum kavithaiA caressing poem
Nenjai inikkaTo sweeten the heart
Paadal vendum paadi vaaA song is needed, come sing it
Male
Aasai kanaveO dream of desire
Athisaya nilaveO wondrous moon
Kaadhal ulagam kaana vaaCome to see the world of love
Female
Thanga manameO golden heart
Singa gunameO lion-hearted valiant soul
Kanni thamizhai paruga vaaCome to drink the virgin Tamil language
Male
Aaah..Aaah..
Ezhil konjum azhageO beauty overflowing with charm
Intha azhagendrum enthan sonthamThis beauty belongs to me forever
Female
Aaah arugilAaah near me
Konjam arugilA little closer
Vanthu anai endru konjum nenjamThe pleading heart asks you to come and embrace
Male
AaahAaah
Rathiye deva rathiyeO Rathi, divine goddess of love
Kaama rasam poosum kangal paarthenI saw eyes anointed with passion
Female :NathiyeFemale: O river
Kaadhal nathiyeO river of love
Ennai neeraatta unnai kettaenI asked you to bathe me in happiness
Male
Ich ich endru muthamA kiss sounding 'ich ich'
Sugam archikindra sathamThe sound offering divine pleasure
Female :Sikkikattum inbamFemale: Entangling bliss
Adhil thithikattum nenjamWhere the heart tastes sweet delight
Both :Muthathil muthangalBoth: Kisses upon kisses
Niththam niththam sinthalamWe can shower every single day
Male
Aasai kanaveO dream of desire
Athisaya nilaveO wondrous moon
Kaadhal ulagam kaana vaaCome to see the world of love
Male
Aaah varuvaaiAaah you will come
Pakkam varuvaaiYou will come close
Endrum neethaane enthan varuvaaiYou are forever my blessed fortune
Female
Aaah tharuvaaiAaah you will bestow
Inbam tharuvaaiYou will bestow joy
Tharum idhazhthaane mulla tharuvaaiThe giving lips are like jasmine buds
Male
Aaah inithaaiAaah sweetly
Melum inithaaiEven more sweetly
Ennai thaalaattum neeyum ini thaaiLulling me like a song, you are now a tender mother
Female
Kanivaai nenjam kanivaaiBe tender, heart, be tender
Mutham tharathaane kovai kani vaaiLips like red ivy-gourd fruit are meant for kissing
Male
Vaalil seitha kannaalWith eyes crafted like sharp swords
Vadivelu seidha pennaO woman forged like Lord Murugan's spear
Female :Vaalum unthan kannilFemale: The sword is in your eyes
Vadivelum intha kanniAnd this maiden herself is like a sharp spear
Male
Aasai kanaveO dream of desire
Athisaya nilaveO wondrous moon
Kaadhal ulagam kaana vaaCome to see the world of love
Female
Thanga manameO golden heart
Singa gunameO lion-hearted valiant soul
Kanni thamizhai paruga vaaaah…Come to drink the virgin Tamil language... aaah

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aasai Kanave is a lush, classical romantic duet composed by Sabesh-Murali for the historical comedy film Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei. Penned by veteran lyricist Pulamaipithan, the song emulates the grand aesthetic of vintage Tamil cinema duets from the 1960s, featuring rich Sangam-inspired metaphors and elevated poetic language. The lovers express their deep romance by celebrating each other's beauty—comparing lips to red ivy-gourd fruit, eyes to sharp swords, and love to the eternal flow of the river Vaigai. They playfully invite one another to embrace, exchange endless kisses, and savor the sweetness of pure Tamil love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Koodal nagaril / Vaigai manalil

Matching of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines to create a smooth poetic cadence.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Mutham tharathaane kovai kani vaai

Comparing the lover's red lips directly to 'Kovai kani' (ripe red ivy-gourd fruit).

Emoni / Hyperbole

Vaalil seitha kannaal / Vadivelu seidha penna

Using sharp weapons like swords (Vaal) and spears (Vadivel) to metaphorically describe enchanting eyes and beauty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Pakkam varuvaai / Inbam tharuvaai

Matching end sounds ('varuvaai', 'tharuvaai', 'inithaai') to establish musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song serves as a stylish pastiche of classic historical duets from 1960s Tamil cinema featuring MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. Pulamaipithan intentionally wrote high-flown classical Tamil lyrics to capture royal authenticity for Vadivelu's dual-role period comedy, helping the song become a huge critical and popular success.

Keep listening

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