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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Kanmani

From Aval Oru Athisayam · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela, L. R. Anjali
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Aval Oru Athisayam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Adi kanmani vanna paingiliOh my precious darling, colourful parrot,
Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadiLittle blooming creeper, hold and support me.
Indha neram enna naanamWhy be shy at a time like this?
Female
Kaadhal varum solladhuLove comes without forewarning,
Kattukaaval illadhuIt acknowledges no strict boundaries,
Ammamma polladhuOh my, it is quite mischievous,
Acham vetkam kolladhuIt leaves no room for fear or shyness,
Vaarthai yedhu eduthu sollaWhat words can describe it fully?
Male
Adi kanmani vanna paingiliOh my precious darling, colourful parrot,
Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadiLittle blooming creeper, hold and support me.
Indha neram enna naanamWhy be shy at a time like this?
Male
Manmadhanin sangeethamThe music of Cupid,
Manjam engum mulangattumLet it resound across the bed.
Manjal mugam kaadhoduWhispering into the ear of the yellow-complexioned face,
Mandhirangal vazhangattumLet secret chants be showered.
Female
Poovai konjam killaamalWithout plucking the flower harshly,
Devan kaigal anaikkattumLet the lord's hands embrace her gently.
Pongi varum panneerilIn the overflowing rosewater,
Ponmalarai nanaikattumLet the golden flower be soaked.
Male
SevvilaneerumTender red coconut water,
Female :Thaen kani saarumFemale: And sweet fruit juice,
Male :Serndha vannam suvaippadhennaMale: Why taste them together like this?
Male
Adi kanmani vanna paingiliOh my precious darling, colourful parrot,
Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadiLittle blooming creeper, hold and support me.
Indha neram enna naanamWhy be shy at a time like this?
Male
Annai endru aagamalWithout even becoming a mother,
Bommai pillai pirandhadhuA doll-like child was born,
Ennai etti paarkaamalWithout peeking out to look at me,
Saelaikkullae maraindhadhuIt hid inside the saree folds.
Female
Unnai alli thaalattaTo scoop you up and sing a lullaby,
Ullam indru thudikudhuMy heart quivers with longing today.
Pakkam vandhu nindraalumEven though you stand close by,
Vetkam innum nadikkudhuYour shyness continues its drama.
Male
Maalaigal soodiAdorned with flower garlands,
Female :Manavarai thediFemale: Seeking the wedding dais,
Male :Meedhi kadhaiyai mudithidalaamMale: Let us complete the rest of our story.
Male
Adi kanmani vanna paingiliOh my precious darling, colourful parrot,
Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadiLittle blooming creeper, hold and support me.
Indha neram enna naanamWhy be shy at a time like this?
Female
Kaadhal varum solladhuLove comes without forewarning,
Kattukaaval illadhuIt acknowledges no strict boundaries,
Ammamma polladhuOh my, it is quite mischievous,
Acham vetkam kolladhuIt leaves no room for fear or shyness,
Vaarthai yedhu eduthu sollaWhat words can describe it fully?
Male
Adi kanmani vanna paingiliOh my precious darling, colourful parrot,
Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadiLittle blooming creeper, hold and support me.
Female :Indha neram enna naanam..Female: Why be shy at a time like this?
Mm..hmm ..mm..hmm..(2)Mm..hmm ..mm..hmm..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from 'Aval Oru Athisayam' (1978) depicts a passionate exchange between lovers, filled with affectionate metaphors and playful teasing. The protagonist lovingly addresses his partner using terms of endearment like a colourful parrot and a gentle creeper, coaxing her to shed her hesitation and shyness. Through poetic imagery involving tender coconut water, rosewater, and music of Cupid, he invites her to embrace love fully and complete their journey together in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Adi kanmani vanna paingili / Chinna poongodi ennai thaangadi

Comparing the heroine to a colourful parrot ('vanna paingili') and a slender flower creeper ('chinna poongodi') to emphasize her sweetness, delicate nature, and grace.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Kaadhal varum solladhu / Kattukaaval illadhu

The lines 'Kaadhal varum solladhu', 'Kattukaaval illadhu', and 'Ammamma polladhu' feature strong internal rhythm and end-rhyming patterns characteristic of classic Tamil lyrics.

Imagery

Pongi varum panneeril / Ponmalarai nanaikattum

Rich sensory imagery used to describe intimacy using poetic symbols like tender coconut water, sweet fruit juice, and overflowing rosewater.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Kannada and Tamil composer K. Vijaya Baskar, 'Aval Oru Athisayam' features a soulful vocal rendition by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam alongside P. Susheela and L. R. Anjali. The lyrics were penned by legendary poet Vaali, renowned for blending classic romantic metaphors with rhythmic lyricism.

Keep listening

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