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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alai Irukkudhu

From Kuravanji · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Chorus
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Kuravanji1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeIn the ocean filled with waves
Chorus :Haa…aaa…aa..Chorus: Haa...aaa...aa..
Female :Asaivirukudhu udalilaeFemale: There is sway in the body
Chorus :O o o haChorus: O o o ha
Female
Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeIn the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Kalaiyirukkudhu nelivilaeThere is art in the curves
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?
Chorus
Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeIn the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Kalaiyirukkudhu nelivilaeThere is art in the curves
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?
Female
Haa…aa…aa…aaaHaa...aa...aa...aaa
Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeIn the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Female
Valaiyirukkudhu vizhiyilaeThere is a snare in the eyes
Pazha kuzhaiyirukkudhu mozhiyilaeThere is ripe sweetness in the voice
Valaiyirukkudhu vizhiyilaeThere is a snare in the eyes
Pazha kuzhaiyirukkudhu mozhiyilaeThere is ripe sweetness in the voice
Silaiyirukkudhu edhirilaeA statue stands before me
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?
Chorus
Silaiyirukkudhu edhirilaeA statue stands before me
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?
Female
Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeIn the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Female
Thazhukku nadaiyil minukkum idaiyilIn the graceful walk, in the gleaming waist
Thudikkum ilamai thodukkum kanaiyilIn the arrow shot by throbbing youth
Chorus :Thazhukku nadaiyil minukkum idaiyilChorus: In the graceful walk, in the gleaming waist
Thudikkum ilamai thodukkum kanaiyilIn the arrow shot by throbbing youth
Female :Jolikkum vaazhvil inimai thavazhaFemale: For sweetness to crawl into a shining life
Padikkum inba kavidhaigal naamWe are joyful poems to be read
Chorus :Jolikkum vaazhvil inimai thavazhaChorus: For sweetness to crawl into a shining life
Padikkum inba kavidhaigal naamWe are joyful poems to be read
Chorus
Haa…aa…aa…aaaHaa...aa...aa...aaa
Female :Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeFemale: In the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Kalaiyirukkudhu nelivilaeThere is art in the curves
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?
Female
Haa…aa…aa…aaaHaa...aa...aa...aaa
Chorus :Alaiyilirundha kadalilaeChorus: In the ocean filled with waves
Asaivirukudhu udalilaeThere is sway in the body
Kalaiyirukkudhu nelivilaeThere is art in the curves
Vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price in this world?
Enakku vilaiyirukkudha ulagilaeIs there a price set for me in this world?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Alaiyilirundha kadalilae from Kuravanji (1960) is a celebrated Tamil song composed by T. R. Pappa and penned by Kannadasan. The lyrics draw a poetic parallel between the ceaseless waves of the sea and the undulating, graceful dance movements of a woman. It questions whether priceless artistic beauty, feminine grace, and youthful allure can ever be assigned a monetary value in this world. The dancer describes her enchanting traits: eyes that act like a snare, speech sweet like ripe fruits, and a stance reminiscent of a living sculpture. Describing youth as a sharp arrow and human life as a joy-filled poem to be read, the song celebrates artistic expression, passion, and elegance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Alaiyilirundha kadalilae / Asaivirukudhu udalilae / Kalaiyirukkudhu nelivilae

Consistent end-rhyming suffix '-ilae' across lines creates a rhythmic, wave-like flow matching the theme of ocean waves.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Valaiyirukkudhu vizhiyilae / Padikkum inba kavidhaigal naam

Comparing eyes to a net ('valai') that traps the onlooker and comparing people to joyful poems ('inba kavidhaigal').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thazhukku nadaiyil minukkum idaiyil / Thudikkum ilamai thodukkum kanaiyil

Rhyming second consonants across words such as 'Thazhukku', 'Thudikkum', 'Jolikkum', and 'Padikkum' enhances the musical cadence.

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Trivia

Kuravanji (1960) featured music by T. R. Pappa and stars Shivaji Ganesan and Savitri. K. Jamunarani's expressive vocals paired with Kannadasan's playful metaphors made this song one of the most memorable dance numbers of early Tamil cinema.

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