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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alaiyila Mithanthava

From Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, Ilayaraja, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Alaiyilae mithanthavaShe who floated on the waves
Kadalilae valanthava thaanShe who grew up in the sea
Maina mainaMaina, maina
Aranmanai kuyil vanthuThe palace cuckoo came
Adhanudan kalanthathuAnd blended with her
Oh manna mannaOh king, oh king
Chorus
Iru manam inaithathu lesaIs it easy for two hearts to unite?
Thirumanam mudinthathu raasaThe marriage is completed, my king
{Vayasula sirusunga{They are young in age
Unga manam perusungaYour heart is big
Vaazhthunga oh raasa} (2)Bless them, oh king} (2)
Chorus
Alaiyilae mithanthavaShe who floated on the waves
Kadalilae valanthava thaanShe who grew up in the sea
Maina mainaMaina, maina
Male
{Valathavanae{The one who raised him
Vazhi maranthaandiHas forgotten the right path
Adi aathiOh my goodness
Arasan maganThe son of a king
Aandi aanaandi} (2)Has turned into a beggar} (2)
Male
Cheran maga poothirukkaWhile the daughter of Chera blossomed
Cholan maga kaathirukkaWhile the daughter of Chola waited
Cheran maga poothirukkaWhile the daughter of Chera blossomed
Cholan maga kaathirukkaWhile the daughter of Chola waited
Ponnu thara anuppiHe sent a palm-leaf message
Vittaan olaiyaOffering a bride
Ivanukku porukka villaiHe could not tolerate this
Kaatti vitaan velaiyaiHe played a mischievous trick
Male
Ei valathavanaeHey, you who raised him
Vazhi maranthaandiForgot the right path
Adi aathiOh my goodness
Arasan maganThe king's son
Aandi aanaandiHas turned into a beggar
Male
PoruthamunnaIf you talk about compatibility
Porutham idhungaaThis is true match
Enga raasaOur king
VaruthamennaWhy this sorrow
Varutham venaangaSorrow is not needed
Chorus
PoruthamunnaIf you talk about compatibility
Porutham idhungaaThis is true match
Enga raasaOur king
VaruthamennaWhy this sorrow
Varutham venaangaSorrow is not needed
Male
Jaathagathil suzhi irukkaWhen there is a curl mark in horoscope
Thaavi vanthu kili azhaikkaWhen a parrot comes fluttering and calling
Ilavarasan ponadhennaWhy did the prince go away?
Paavama indhaIs it a sin?
Sabaiyinilae saadhikkoruTo achieve something in this assembly
Nyayamaa raasaIs this fair, oh king?
Female
Anjaaru dhesaththuKing of five or six countries
Raasa neengaYou are a king
Pala anubhavam arinjavangaWho has experienced so much
Sollaama kollaama nadanthathungaThings happened without telling or asking
Itha mannichu maranthudungaForgive and forget this
Female
Paalooti thaalaattiNurtured with milk and lullabies
Paaratti valathenI raised him with praise
Yedhyedho nadanthathungaVarious unexpected things happened
Ini podhum pidivathamEnough of stubbornness now
Onga kobamYour anger
Perum paavam thaanIs a great sin
Vaazhattum vazha vidungaLet them live, allow them to live
Female
En mannadhi mannaaMy king of kings
Naan manikka sonnaWhen I asked you to forgive
Ellaaga vedikiringaWhy do you explode like fireworks?
Pilla paasatha kaataamaWithout showing maternal affection
Kobatha kaatiShowing only anger
Nallathaan nadikiringaYou act very well
Chorus
Enga mannadhi mannaaOur king of kings
Un kobatha maranthuForget your anger
Mannichu vazhi vidungaForgive and pave the way
Male
Po po po raaniGo, go, go, queen
Adadada po po po raaniOh dear, go, go, go, queen
Arasanin parambaraiThe lineage of the king
Gauravam pochuIts dignity is lost
Siruthaikku piranthathuBorn to a leopard
Siru nari aachuHas become a small fox
Mayilukkum kaakaikkumA marriage between a peacock
Thirumanam aachuAnd a crow has taken place
Magudamum kuraindhathuThe crown's dignity has diminished
Ini enna pechuWhat is left to talk about now?
Male
Saetrai poosuvadhuSmearing mud on myself
Enadhu palakkam allaIs not my habit
Aatril eranguvadhuStepping into the muddy river
Arasanin vazhakam allaIs not a king's custom
Po po po raaniGo, go, go, queen
Adadada po po po raaniOh dear, go, go, go, queen
Male
Vendhae yen indha kobamOh king, why this anger?
SollungammaaTell us, mother
Chorus :Vendhae yen indha kobamChorus: Oh king, why this anger?
Male :Ungal vaarisu varunthumMale: Seeing your heir suffer
Vaazhthiyae aaganumYou must give your blessing
Vendhae yen indha kobamOh king, why this anger?
Chorus :Vendhae yen indha kobamChorus: Oh king, why this anger?
Female
Raasathi raasaKing of kings
Pen paavaam vendaamDo not cause distress to a woman
Nee vaazhtha vaa mannavaaCome bless them, oh ruler
Shree gangai aatrilIn the sacred River Ganges
Sitrodai sernthaalIf a small stream merges
Adhu kooda gangai allavaDoes that not also become the Ganges?
Chorus
Raasathi raasaKing of kings
Pen paavaam vendaamDo not cause distress to a woman
Nee vaazhtha vaa mannavaaCome bless them, oh ruler
Male
Raani un kannilQueen, in your eyes
Kanneerai kandaalIf I see tears
En nenju thaangaathammaMy heart cannot bear it, my lady
Kalyaana jodiMay the wedded couple
Sangeetham paadiSinging music together
Nooraandu kaalam vaazhattum…Live for a hundred years...
Chorus
Laalila laali laalila laaliLullaby rhythm, lullaby, lullaby rhythm, lullaby
Laalila laalila liiLullaby rhythm, lullaby
Laalila laali laalila laaliLullaby rhythm, lullaby, lullaby rhythm, lullaby
Laalila laalila liiLullaby rhythm, lullaby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie 'Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu' (1986) portrays a dramatic royal dialogue and plea for forgiveness surrounding an unconventional marriage. The court and queen appeal to the king to accept his prince son's marriage to a simple girl who grew up near the ocean. The king feels his royal dignity and heritage have been compromised, comparing the match to a peacock marrying a crow or a leopard siring a fox.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Siruthaikku piranthathu Siru nari aachu / Mayilukkum kaakaikkum Thirumanam aachu

Comparing the royal lineage and lowborn bride to 'Siruthai' (Leopard) vs 'Nari' (Fox) and 'Mayil' (Peacock) vs 'Kaakai' (Crow).

Analogy (Uvamai)

Shree gangai aatril Sitrodai sernthaal Adhu kooda gangai allava

Comparing a common girl marrying into royalty to a small stream joining the holy River Ganges and becoming part of the Ganges itself.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Ethirai)

Paalooti thaalaatti Paaratti valathen

Use of matching sound patterns such as 'Paalooti thaalaatti Paaratti'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu' (1986) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, and Pandiyan. The lyrics written by Vairamuthu reflect classical Tamil poetic metaphors of royal pride versus unconditional love.

Keep listening

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