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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Asaindhaadum Thendrale

From Thaaikkuppin Thaaram · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaaikkuppin Thaaram1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyo…Won't you go as my messenger?
Thaen amudhaana kavi paadiSing a poem sweet as honey and nectar,
Saedhi sollaaiyo…Won't you convey this message?
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Thaen amudhaana kavi paadiSing a poem sweet as honey and nectar,
Saedhi sollaaiyoWon't you convey this message?
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Thaen amudhaana kavi paadiSing a poem sweet as honey and nectar,
Saedhi sollaaiyoWon't you convey this message?
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Female
Alaiyai polae aazhiyin melaeLike waves upon the deep ocean,
Ullam alai modhum velai aasaiyinaalaeAt the time my heart surges with longing,
Female
Alaiyai polae aazhiyin melaeLike waves upon the deep ocean,
Ullam alai modhum velai aasaiyinaalaeAt the time my heart surges with longing,
Nilai thadumaarudhaeMy composure wavers,
Vizhighalum thaedudhaeAnd my eyes search for him,
Nilai thadumaarudhaeMy composure wavers,
Vizhighalum thaedudhaeAnd my eyes search for him,
Ninaivilumae kanavilumae avarai naadudhaeSeeking him in both my thoughts and my dreams.
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Thaen amudhaana kavi paadiSing a poem sweet as honey and nectar,
Saedhi sollaaiyoWon't you convey this message?
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Female
Kadhaiyaa karpanaiyaa kaaviyamaaIs he a story, a imagination, or an epic poem?
Kannaal pesum oviyamaaIs he a portrait that speaks with its eyes?
Female
Kadhaiyaa karpanaiyaa kaaviyamaaIs he a story, a imagination, or an epic poem?
Kannaal pesum oviyamaaIs he a portrait that speaks with its eyes?
Kaadhalin thyaagiyaaIs he a martyr of love?
Kadandhidum yogiyaaOr a detached sage who transcends everything?
Kaadhalin thyaagiyaaIs he a martyr of love?
Kadandhidum yogiyaaOr a detached sage who transcends everything?
Kaaranamae naanariyaenI do not know the reason why,
Manamae yengudhaeYet my heart aches in longing.
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Thaen amudhaana kavi paadiSing a poem sweet as honey and nectar,
Saedhi sollaaiyoWon't you convey this message?
Asaindhaadum thendralaeGentle swaying breeze,
Thoodhu sellaaiyoWon't you go as my messenger?
Female
Asaindhaadum thendralae…Gentle swaying breeze…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classical-flavored romantic song from Thaaikkuppin Thaaram (1956), the heroine calls upon the gentle breeze to act as her emissary of love ('Thendral Thoodhu'). She begs the wind to recite sweet, nectar-like verses to her beloved to express the restless emotional storm brewing in her heart. She describes her mind as tossing endlessly like ocean waves, leaving her unable to focus as her eyes constantly seek his presence both in reality and in dreams. She contemplates the enigmatic nature of her beloved, wondering if he is merely a creature of artistic imagination, a sacrificial lover, or a detached ascetic, unable to comprehend why her heart yearns so deeply for him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Thendral Thoodhu (Wind Messenger Motif / Personification)

Asaindhaadum thendralae Thoodhu sellaaiyo

Addressing the southern breeze as a conscious messenger is a classic Tamil poetic tradition dating back to Sangam literature.

Upamai (Simile)

Alaiyai polae aazhiyin melae Ullam alai modhum velai

Compares the turbulence of desire in the heart directly to waves crashing upon the ocean using 'polae' (like/as).

Monaai / Etukai (Assonance & Rhyme)

Kadhaiyaa karpanaiyaa kaaviyamaa Kannaal pesum oviyamaa

Use of initial alliteration 'Ka' (Kadhaiyaa, Karpanaiyaa, Kaaviyamaa, Kannaal) creating a rhythmic, poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaaikkuppin Thaaram (1956) was the debut film produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chidambaram Chettiar under the iconic Devar Films banner, starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi. The soundtrack was composed by Master K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, and this particular song was rendered by playback singer P. Leela.

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