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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alaiye Kadal Alaiye

From Thirukkalyanam · 1978

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
S. Janaki, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thirukkalyanam
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
18 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Alaiyae kadal alaiyae
Yaen aadugiraai enna thaedugiraai
Inba ninaivinil paadugiraai
Ennennavo un aasaigal
Pon manal maedai meedhinilae
Ven panivaadai kaatrinilae
Mayakkum maalai pozhudhinilae…
Kaadhali indha naayagi
Pala naal varai kaathirukka
Ennennavo un aasaigal
Nee urugaadhae manam kalangaadhae
Un aruginil naan iruppen
Ennennavo un aasaigal
Vasanthathai thaedum ilam thalirae
Vaadaiyil vaadum pani malarae
Nenjinil endrum unninaivae…
Kanmani uyir kaadhali
En kaigalil thavazhndhirukka
Ennennavo en aasaigal
Koyilai thaedi thavam irukka
Dhaeviyin naayagan thunai irukka
Aayiram piravigal inaindhirukka…
Aayiram piravigal inaindhirukka…
Alaiyae kadal alaiyae
Nee urugaadhae manam kalangaadhae
Ennennavo nam aasaigal
Ennennavo nam aasaigal
O wave, ocean wave,
Why do you dance? What are you searching for?
You sing lost in sweet memories,
What countless desires you hold!
Upon the stage of golden sand,
In the cool, chilly winter breeze,
In the enchanting evening hours...
As this beloved girl
Has waited for so many days,
What countless desires you hold!
Do not despair, do not lose heart,
I will always be by your side.
What countless desires you hold!
O tender shoot longing for spring,
O dewy flower fading in the cold wind,
My heart is always filled with your thoughts...
My precious darling, my true love,
As you rest gently in my arms,
What countless desires I have!
To pray with devotion seeking the temple,
With the Goddess's beloved lord by my side,
To remain united across a thousand lifetimes...
To remain united across a thousand lifetimes...
O wave, ocean wave,
Do not despair, do not lose heart,
What countless desires we share!
What countless desires we share!
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poetic song draws a beautiful parallel between the restless waves of the sea and the longing heart of a lover. It captures the warmth, comfort, and deep devotion shared between lovers during a serene evening by the coast. The singer reassures their beloved, who is portrayed as a delicate flower wilting in the cold wind, promising eternal companionship and comfort. The narrative gracefully shifts from acknowledging 'your desires' to 'my desires', culminating in the unity of 'our desires' meant to endure across a thousand lifetimes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Alaiyae kadal alaiyae / Yaen aadugiraai enna thaedugiraai

The ocean wave is addressed as an emotional, sentient being asked about its dancing, searching, and singing.

Metaphor

Vasanthathai thaedum ilam thalirae / Vaadaiyil vaadum pani malarae

The beloved is metaphorically described as a tender leaf searching for spring and a delicate flower wilting in the cold wind.

Linguistic Progression / Refrain Variation

Ennennavo un aasaigal ... Ennennavo en aasaigal ... Ennennavo nam aasaigal

The key refrain systematically shifts perspective across the song: 'un aasaigal' (your desires) -> 'en aasaigal' (my desires) -> 'nam aasaigal' (our desires).

Did you know?

Trivia

Thirukkalyanam (1978) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Vijayakumar and Sripriya. The soundtrack is known for its serene, melodic compositions set against evocative Tamil romantic imagery.

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