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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Asaivindri

From Paramporul · 2022

Lyricist
Vivek
Singers
Yuvan Shankar Raja, Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Paramporul2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Asaivindri asaivae indriWithout any motion, completely motionless,
Unn mun nindru ketkindrenI stand before you and ask.
Imaikkamal neeyum ennaiIf you look at me without blinking,
Parthal en seiven?What shall I do?
Male
Edhan meedhum aasai eadhumI thought I shouldn't desire anything at all,
Vendam endrai yosithaenI pondered on that thought.
Athukooda aasaidhanaeIsn't that thought itself a desire?
Iyyo en seivaen?Oh my, what shall I do?
Male
Thalayin pinnae pinnaeFrom the light radiating behind your head,
Veesum oliyil konjam enakum thaa!Give a little portion to me too!
Undhan bothi nizhalinUnder the shadow of your Bodhi tree,
Paadhi nizhalai konjam enakum thaa!Give half of that shade to me too!
Female
Alai yeathum illaa aazhiyilaeInto the ocean that has no waves,
Nilavai pidungi veesathae?Do not pluck the moon and hurl it!
Unnai kaanaa vaelaiyilaeDuring the times I cannot see you,
Kannal pesathaeDo not speak through your eyes.
Female
Ada nettru nalai veenena neeYou said yesterday and tomorrow are futile,
Sonnai indril vazhkindraenSo I am living only in today.
Ennul ennai veezh endraaiYou asked me to sink within myself,
Unnul veezhkindraenYet I am falling into you.
Female
Azhagin melae idhayam yaeriAs the heart climbs atop beauty,
Nazhuvi keezhae veezhaSlips and tumbles downwards,
Mezhugin melae theeyil thoindhaDipped in fire over melting wax,
Kadhal vaalum keeraThe sword of love cuts deep.
Female
Thirakkindra kannukullaeInside eyes that are opening,
Theeyin veppam paayaAs the heat of fire surges,
Urainthingu yengum nenjamMy heart, freezing and yearning here,
Konjam kulir kaayaWarms itself in the heat.
Male
Sirppam yaar? adaWho is the sculpture? Ah,
Sirppi yaar?Who is the sculptor?
Enthan kelvi saridhanaa?Is my question valid?
Theeyil ennai vaattugiraaiYou roast me in the fire,
Silaiyae nanthanaa?Am I the idol, truly?
Male
Ulagae ingae theeppilambaaiThe world here is a pillar of fire,
Uyir naan vazhindhaenI, as life, flowed out
TheekkuzhambaaiLike molten lava.
Irugi ponaen irumbaaiI solidified like iron,
Nan aanenae pudhithaai..hey eyyI became someone brand new.. hey eyy
Male
Asaivindri asaivae indriWithout any motion, completely motionless,
Unn mun nindru ketkindrenI stand before you and ask.
Imaikkamal neeyum ennaiIf you look at me without blinking,
Parthal en seiven?What shall I do?
Female
Thalayin pinnae pinnaeFrom the light radiating behind your head,
Veesum oliyil konjam enakum thaa!Give a little portion to me too!
Undhan bothi nizhalinUnder the shadow of your Bodhi tree,
Paadhi nizhalai konjam enakum thaa!Give half of that shade to me too!
Female
Alai yeathum illaa aazhiyilaeInto the ocean that has no waves,
Nilavai pidungi veesathae?Do not pluck the moon and hurl it!
Unnai kaanaa vaelaiyilaeDuring the times I cannot see you,
Kannal pesathaeDo not speak through your eyes.
Female
Ada nettru nalai veenena neeYou said yesterday and tomorrow are futile,
Sonnai indril vazhkindraenSo I am living only in today.
Ennul ennai veezh endraaiYou asked me to sink within myself,
Unnul veezhkindraenYet I am falling into you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a deeply spiritual and philosophical expression of romantic devotion, blending spiritual imagery with profound emotional surrender. The protagonist addresses a lover who is elevated to a divine or enlightened stature—evidenced by references to the halo ('thalayin pinnae veesum oli') and the 'Bodhi tree'. The lyrics explore Buddhist and Vedantic philosophy, touching upon themes of desire, mindfulness in the present moment, self-realization, and spiritual transformation through love. As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to metallic forging and elemental transformation—fire, molten lava, wax, and iron. The lover's gaze acts as a divine flame that melts, reshapes, and solidifies the speaker into a completely new form. Love is portrayed not merely as a romantic emotion, but as an alchemical process of spiritual rebirth where the boundary between the sculptor and the sculpture dissolves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Alai yeathum illaa aazhiyilae / Nilavai pidungi veesathae?

The second consonant 'l' (ள/ல) rhymes across lines in 'Alai' and 'Nilavai', creating Tamil rhythmic harmony.

Monaul (Initial Alliteration)

Asaivindri asaivae indri

Repetition of the initial 'A' sound in 'Azhagin' and 'An' / 'Asaivindri' creates an alliterative opening.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagham)

Undhan bothi nizhalin / Paadhi nizhalai konjam enakum thaa!

Comparing the divine presence of the beloved to the 'Bodhi tree' (symbol of enlightenment) and the aura of light behind the head.

Philosophical Paradox

Edhan meedhum aasai eadhum / Vendam endrai yosithaen / Athukooda aasaidhanae

The paradox of trying not to desire anything being a desire in itself, echoing classical Buddhist philosophy.

Rhetorical Questioning

Sirppam yaar? ada / Sirppi yaar?

The speaker poses philosophical questions questioning identity and agency in the relationship.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Paramporul' features a unique collaboration between composer Yuvan Shankar Raja and lyricist Vivek, blending spiritual philosophy with modern indie-pop soundscapes. The lyrics heavily draw from Buddhist spiritual motifs (such as the Bodhi tree and overcoming time) and classical Tamil literary metaphors of spiritual alchemy.

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