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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alaigalile Thendral

From Marupiravi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Marupiravi1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Alaigalilae thendral vanthuWhen the breeze arrives upon the waves,
Asainthaadum anantham ennaWhat is this joy that sways and dances?
Uravaa sugamaa uravaa sugamaaIs it a relationship or is it bliss? Is it a relationship or is it bliss?
Female
Alaigalilae thendral vanthuWhen the breeze arrives upon the waves,
Asainthaadum anantham ennaWhat is this joy that sways and dances?
Uravaa sugamaa uravaa sugamaaIs it a relationship or is it bliss? Is it a relationship or is it bliss?
Female
Paravai isai paaduvathum uravaa sugamaaIs the bird singing music a relationship or a pleasure?
Paravai isai paaduvathum uravaa sugamaaIs the bird singing music a relationship or a pleasure?
Engum anantham paadum iyarkkaiNature sings of happiness everywhere,
Inaba paattondru paadum ilamaiYouth sings a song of delight,
Ingu naan paadum thaalaattu pudhumaiThe lullaby I sing here is a novelty.
Female
Alaigalilae thendral vanthuWhen the breeze arrives upon the waves,
Asainthaadum anantham ennaWhat is this joy that sways and dances?
Uravaa sugamaa uravaa sugamaaIs it a relationship or is it bliss? Is it a relationship or is it bliss?
Female
Avalae sugam ketpathillai adhuthaan penmaiShe never demands pleasure for herself; that is true womanhood.
Avalae sugam ketpathillai adhuthaan penmaiShe never demands pleasure for herself; that is true womanhood.
Aval thunaiyodu vaazhhvathu inbamLiving with her companionship is happiness,
Adhai sugamaaga seivathu manjamThe marital bed makes that sweet,
Idhai naan solla naernthathu thunbamIt is a sorrow that I am compelled to say this.
Female
Alaigalilae thendral vanthuWhen the breeze arrives upon the waves,
Asainthaadum anantham ennaWhat is this joy that sways and dances?
Uravaa sugamaa uravaa sugamaaIs it a relationship or is it bliss? Is it a relationship or is it bliss?
Female
…………………….....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Marupiravi contemplates the delicate line between emotional relationships (uravu) and physical/sensory pleasure (sugam). Drawing imagery from nature—waves touched by gentle breezes and birds singing joyful tunes—the speaker reflects on the essence of youthful delight and life's simple, peaceful pleasures. In the later verses, lyricist Kannadasan touches upon the selfless nature of traditional womanhood, noting that a woman puts companionship and duty above her own desire for pleasure. The song ends on a poignant note, acknowledging the sorrowful paradox of having to explicitly explain or defend such intimate human realities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Alaigalilae thendral vanthu / Asainthaadum anantham enna

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' across words in the line ('Alaigalilae', 'Asainthaadum', 'Anantham').

Rhetorical Question

Uravaa sugamaa uravaa sugamaa

The repeated phrase asking whether nature's bliss stems from emotional kinship or sensory pleasure prompts internal reflection.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aval thunaiyodu vaazhhvathu inbam / Adhai sugamaaga seivathu manjam / Idhai naan solla naernthathu thunbam

Matching end sounds with 'inbam', 'manjam', and 'thunbam' to create a poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Marupiravi (1973) is a Tamil remake of the famous Malayalam film Punarjanmam. The song features music composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by Kannadasan, and P. Susheela's rendition remains iconic for its gentle, lullaby-like tone.

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