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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alai Alaiyaga Azhagazhakaga

From Kannodu Kan · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kannodu Kan1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakagaWave upon wave, in all its beauty,
Neer paayum odaikkaraiyilOn the stream bank where water flows,
Neeraadum neela kuyilgalThe blue cuckoos that bathe in joy,
Entha naalum vaazhgaMay they live long forever!
Female
Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakagaWave upon wave, in all its beauty,
Neer paayum odaikkaraiyilOn the stream bank where water flows,
Neeraadum neela kuyilgalThe blue cuckoos that bathe in joy,
Entha naalum vaazhgaMay they live long forever!
Male
Nilamagal kulir perum kaar kaalamaeO rainy season that brings coolness to Mother Earth,
Panimazhai pozhinthidum venn neela aagaayamaeO white-and-blue sky that showers snowy rain,
Nilamagal kulir perum kaar kaalamaeO rainy season that brings coolness to Mother Earth,
Panimazhai pozhinthidum venn neela aagaayamaeO white-and-blue sky that showers snowy rain,
Female
Iyarkkaiyin vanappum ilamaiyin thudippumThe grace of nature and the pulse of youthfulness,
Inainthidum pozhuthallavoIsn't this the precious moment when they merge?
Male
Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakagaWave upon wave, in all its beauty,
Female :Neer paayum odaikkaraiyilFemale: On the stream bank where water flows,
Male :Neeraadum neela kuyilgalMale: The blue cuckoos that bathe in joy,
Female :Entha naalum vaazhgaFemale: May they live long forever!
Female
Radhi madhan rasanaigal yaeraalamoAre the pleasures of Rati and Madana abundant here?
Ragasiyam iruvarum kondaadum yaegaanthamoIs this solitude a secret celebration for the two of us?
Udhadugal ezhuthum kavithaigalThe poems written by lips,
Muzhuthum unarchchiyai pizhinthidumoDo they pour out feelings in full intensity?
Female
Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakagaWave upon wave, in all its beauty,
Male :Neer paayum odaikkaraiyilMale: On the stream bank where water flows,
Female :Neeraadum neela kuyilgalFemale: The blue cuckoos that bathe in joy,
Male :Entha naalum vaazhgaMale: May they live long forever!
Male
Malai mudi madiyena thaalaattumoDoes the mountain peak rock like a lap to sing a lullaby?
Mani mugil kuzhanthai polLike a child, does the dark cloud
Vanthaada paaloottumoCome to play and offer milk?
Malai mudi madiyena thaalaattumoDoes the mountain peak rock like a lap to sing a lullaby?
Mani mugil kuzhanthai polLike a child, does the dark cloud
Vanthaada paaloottumoCome to play and offer milk?
Female
Aruginil irunth aval tharum virunthuThe feast offered by her who is near,
Avanukku iniththidumoWill it be sweet to him?
Male
Alai alaiyaagaWave upon wave,
Female :Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakagaFemale: Wave upon wave, in all its beauty,
Male :AzhagazhagaaMale: In all its beauty,
Female :Neer paayum odaikkaraiyilFemale: On the stream bank where water flows,
Male :Neeraadum neela kuyilgalMale: The blue cuckoos that bathe in joy,
Both :Entha naalum vaazhgaBoth: May they live long forever!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Alai Alaiyaaga is a romantic duet from the 1982 Tamil movie Kannodu Kan, composed by Shankar-Ganesh and written by Vaali. The song celebrates the deep intimacy and affection between lovers against the backdrop of vibrant nature, riversides, and misty mountains. The couple equates their passion and youthfulness to the flowing stream, rainy skies, and lush surroundings. Throughout the track, romantic imagery such as the lovers being cuckoos bathing together, lips creating poetry, and mountains rocking clouds like babies underscores the harmony between human emotions and nature's grandeur.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Anaphora / Repetition)

Alai alaiyaaga azhagazhakaga

Repetition of words like 'Alai alaiyaaga' and 'azhagazhakaga' creates a rhythmic flow mimicking natural waves.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Udhadugal ezhuthum kavithaigal

Comparing kisses and unspoken romantic expressions to poetry written by lips ('Udhadugal ezhuthum kavithaigal').

Simile (Uwamai)

Mani mugil kuzhanthai pol

Comparing the dark cloud drifting around mountain peaks to a playful child ('Mani mugil kuzhanthai pol').

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Malai mudi madiyena thaalaattumo / Mani mugil kuzhanthai pol

Rhyming of the second letter 'la' in 'Malai' and 'Mani' across adjacent lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features iconic vocal chemistry between S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam. Set to music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, lyricist Vaali uses classic Tamil poetic tropes connecting human love with natural elements.

Keep listening

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