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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Amma Azhage

From Kadhal Oviyam · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kadhal Oviyam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ammaa azhagaeOh beauty of Motherhood
Ulagin oliyaeOh light of the world
Ammaa azhagaeOh beauty of Motherhood
Ulagin oliyaeOh light of the world
En sangeedham un geedhamaeMy music is your song
Unai naan azhaithaalWhen I call out to you
Vizhiyil mazhaiyaeRain falls from my eyes
Male
Ammaa azhagaeOh beauty of Motherhood
Ulagin oliyaeOh light of the world
Male
Aagaayam en paattilThe sky in my song
AsaigindradhuSways gently
En sangeedham poi endruThat my music is a lie
Yaar sonnadhuWho said that?
Male
Kanavugalae vazhividungalMake way, oh dreams
Kalaimagalai varavidungalLet Goddess Saraswati enter
Malaril urangum poongaatruThe gentle breeze sleeping in the flower
Adhanai ezhuppum en paattuMy song awakens it
Odum nilaavae oli dheepam yetruOh moving moon, light the lamp of brilliance
Male
Raagamae uyiraagumaeThe melody itself becomes life
Adhu petru tharumIt bestows
Muthu charamA string of pearls
Sondham tharum nalvedhamumThe sacred scripture that grants togetherness
Inbam tharum ponmandhiramThe golden chant that bestows happiness
Male
Mundhum thee enaiThe advancing fire around me
Sutri chudumaeBurns all around
Enthan isai enaiMy own music
Etti chudumaeReaches and burns me
Male
Indha veppam ennaiThis heat around me
Enna seiyyumWhat can it do to me?
Sandhanangal poosumooWill it coat me in soothing sandalwood?
Ullirukkum jodhi ondru unduThere is a divine flame burning inside me
Adhanai veppam theendumooCan physical heat ever touch it?
Male
Padapada padavenaCrackling and fluttering
Erigira kozhundhuThe burning flame
Imaigalai urasudhuBrushes against my eyelashes
Idhu oru azhaghuThis too is a form of beauty
Male
Vedham kedaadhuThe sacred truth will not perish
Theeyil vizhaadhuIt will not fall into the fire
Yaarum thodaadha surudhiIt is a pitch untouched by anyone
Angam podipada nenjam urugidaAs my body shatters and my heart melts
Dhevi varuvadhu urudhiThe Goddess's arrival is certain
Dhevi varuvadhu urudhiThe Goddess's arrival is certain
Dhevi varuvadhu urudhiThe Goddess's arrival is certain

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an intense, emotional invocation sung by the protagonist, a blind musician, addressing Goddess Saraswati (the deity of art and knowledge) and the divine power of music. He proclaims that true music possesses cosmic power—it can sway the skies, wake sleeping breezes, and transcend human suffering. As literal or metaphorical flames engulf him, he remains steadfast, believing that the inner light of his art cannot be consumed by fire and that divine grace will ultimately prevail.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Imagery

Malaril urangum poongaatru / Adhanai ezhuppum en paattu

Evokes vivid sensory visualization of a breeze sleeping inside a flower awakened by sound.

Onomatopoeia

Padapada padavena

Uses rhythmic sound words to mimic the crackling and fluttering nature of aggressive flames.

Rhetorical Question

En sangeedham poi endru / Yaar sonnadhu

Challenges the notion that music is powerless or false.

Contrast / Irony

Indha veppam ennai / Enna seiyyum / Sandhanangal poosumoo

Compares burning, destructive fire to soothing sandalwood paste to highlight spiritual immunity.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the film 'Kadhal Oviyam' (1982), directed by P. Bharathiraja, this song forms part of a dramatic musical climax. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu, KJ Yesudas's powerful vocal rendition captures the blind protagonist's intense devotion and musical passion.

Keep listening

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