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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aaya Kalaigalin

From Vishwa Thulasi · 2004

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Srinivas
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Details
Vishwa Thulasi2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?
Mella vizhundhaval ivalo ivalo ivaloIs she the one who gently descended? Is it her, is it her, is it her?
Mella vizhundhaval ivalo ivalo ivaloIs she the one who gently descended? Is it her, is it her, is it her?
Arubadhu kalaigalin azhagiyum ivaloIs she the beauty personifying all sixty arts?
Male
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?
Male
Neela kangal thaan kalaigalin thaayagamoAre her blue eyes the true homeland of all arts?
Kaadhal kuralil kalandhadhu kani rasamoIs it the sweet juice of fruit blended into her loving voice?
Silai mookkil sirithadhu sithiramoIs it a masterpiece painting smiling on her sculpted nose?
Kuzhi kannathil naanathin kungumamoIs it the vermillion of modesty on her dimpled cheeks?
Sevvidhazhgalil malargalin saagaa varamoIs it the immortal boon of blooming flowers on her red lips?
Pen mugathil thaan muzhu nilaa dhinam varumoDoes the full moon rise every day on a woman's face?
Neela kazhuthilae mani maalaiyin suyamvaramoIs the gem necklace choosing its groom on her slender neck?
Neela kazhuthilae mani maalaiyin suyamvaramoIs the gem necklace choosing its groom on her slender neck?
Nalina kai viralgalilae eeraindhu visithiramoAre there ten wonders in her delicate finger joints?
Naattiyathaal viralgal pathum thaan vilakkidumoDo all ten fingers explain themselves through dance?
Male
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?
Male
Ila mudhugil thaan saundhariyam irundhidumoDoes ultimate beauty reside on her youthful back?
Pani maarbin sezhum mayakkathil viyandhidumoDoes one marvel at the rich enchantment of her dew-kissed chest?
Viral nagangal paedhaikku rusithidumoDid her finger nails taste sweet to the innocent maiden?
Mella kaal nagangal nagaithida rasithidumoDoes one relish as her subtle toenails gently smile?
Idai paavam ilaithida oorvalamoIs her slender waist's delicate curve a royal procession?
Thalir vayitril olindhidum men nilamoIs it soft terrain hidden in her tender abdomen?
Dheva penmaiyin sangadhi thaan evvidamoWhere is the musical nuance of divine womanhood located?
Thuli oli thaan theendaadha ragasiyamoIs it an untouched secret of a drop of light?
Aahaa ragasiyamoAha, is it a secret?
Konjum kaalgalil asaigindra pon radhamoIs it a golden chariot moving on lisping feet?
Ven kolusu paadhathil ennai azhaikkum paravasamoIs it an ecstasy calling me from her feet adorned with silver anklets?
Male
Idhil macham ondrai maraithadhuHiding a tiny mole within all this beauty,
Mangai seidha maayamoIs it a magic illusion wrought by this maiden?
Male
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?
Mella vizhundhaval ivalo ivalo ivaloIs she the one who gently descended? Is it her, is it her, is it her?
Arubadhu kalaigalin azhagiyum ivaloIs she the beauty personifying all sixty arts?
Male
Aaya kalaigalin arubathu naanginaiOf the sixty-four fine traditional arts,
Bhramman avasaramaai alla alla allaDid Lord Brahma gather them in haste, scoop by scoop?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an exquisite, classical-style ode celebrating a woman's divine beauty. The lyricist wonders if Lord Brahma gathered all sixty-four ancient traditional arts (Aaya Kalaigal 64) in haste to create her. From top to toe—her eyes, voice, nose, dimples, lips, neck, hands, waist, and feet—every feature is framed as an artistic wonder and a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Vinaa Aani (Rhetorical Questions)

Silai mookkil sirithadhu sithiramo

The song uses the Tamil suffix '-mo' extensively across consecutive lines (thaayagamo, rasamo, sithiramo, kungumamo, varamo) to ask poetic rhetorical questions comparing her features to divine art.

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Neela kangal thaan kalaigalin thaayagamo

Describing her eyes as the motherland of all fine arts.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaadhal kuralil kalandhadhu kani rasamo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Vi' in Viral and Vilakkidumo, or 'Ka' in Kaadhal and Kani.

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Trivia

The film 'Vishwa Thulasi' (2004) featured a rare historic musical collaboration between two legends of Tamil cinema music: M. S. Viswanathan and Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics for this song were penned by Ilaiyaraaja himself, highlighting his deep mastery of classical Tamil literature and poetic tropes.

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