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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhage Azhagu

From Raaja Paarvai · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raaja Paarvai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hmmm…mmmm…mmmHumming...
Aaa..haaaa…dhara du du ra ra raVocalizing melody...
Da da raa ri raaVocalizing rhythm...
Male
Azhagil azhagu dhevadhaiA goddess of supreme beauty among beauties,
Aayiram paavalarA epic poem written
Ezhuthum kaaviyamBy a thousand poets,
Azhagil azhagu dhevadhaiA goddess of supreme beauty among beauties.
Male
Koonthal vannam megam polaHer dark hair resembles rain clouds,
Kulirnthu nindrathuStanding cool and graceful.
Konjugindra sevigal rendumHer twin playful ears
Kelvi aanathuAre shaped like subtle question marks.
Male
Ponmugam thaamaraiHer golden face is a lotus,
Pookkalae kangaloAre those eyes blossoms of flowers?
Mana kangal sollumA golden painting depicted
PonnoviyamBy the eyes of the mind,
Azhagil azhagu dhevadhaiA goddess of supreme beauty among beauties.
Male
Sippi pola idhazhgal rendumHer two lips glisten brightly
MinnugindranaLike a pearl shell,
Serntha pallin varisaiyaavumHer row of neatly aligned teeth
Mullai pondranaAre delicate like jasmine buds.
Male
Moongilae thoalgaloAre her shoulders smooth like bamboo?
Thenkuzhal viralgaloAre her fingers sweet like honeyed treats?
Oru angam kaigalShe is a form that physical hands
AriyaathathuHave never known or touched,
Azhagil azhagu dhevadhaiA goddess of supreme beauty among beauties.
Male
Poo ulaavum kodiyai polaLike a flowering creeper gently swaying,
Idaiyai kaangirenI perceive her slender waist.
Poga poga vaazhai polaGradually tapering like a banana trunk,
Azhagai kaangirenI behold her beauty.
Maavilai paadhamoAre her feet soft like tender mango leaves?
Mangai nee vedhamooOh maiden, are you a sacred scripture?
Intha mannil idhu polOn this earth, such a magnificent woman
PennilaiyaeDoes not exist anywhere else,
Male
Azhagil azhagu dhevadhai…..A goddess of supreme beauty among beauties...
Aayiram paavalarA epic poem written
Ezhuthum kaaviyamBy a thousand poets,
Azhagil azhaguSupreme beauty among beauties.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Raaja Paarvai' is a poetic celebration of feminine beauty sung by a blind violinist who visualizes his beloved through his inner vision. Kannadasan employs traditional Tamil literary imagery, comparing her hair to rain clouds, ears to question marks, lips to pearl shells, and teeth to jasmine buds. The song emphasizes that true aesthetic beauty is felt and envisioned through the mind's eye ('mana kangal') rather than mere physical sight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Koonthal vannam megam pola

Compares physical attributes directly using 'pola' (like) and 'pondrana' (resembling), such as hair like rain clouds ('megam pola') and teeth like jasmine buds ('mullai pondrana').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Mana kangal sollum ponnoviyam

Metaphorically equates her form to a golden painting ('ponnoviyam') envisioned internally.

Iyamani / Vinavu (Rhetorical Question)

Pookkalae kangalo / Mangai nee vedhamoo

Uses poetic doubts ending in '-o' to marvel at her features, questioning if her eyes are flowers ('kangal-o') or if she herself is a sacred Veda ('vedham-o').

Mona (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Sippi pola idhazhgal rendum / Serntha pallin varisaiyaavum

Matching initial consonant/vowel sound across adjacent words or line starts, such as 'Sippi' and 'Serntha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raaja Paarvai' (1981) marked Kamal Haasan's 100th film as an actor and his maiden venture as a producer under Raaj Kamal Films International. Because the protagonist is a blind violinist, the lyricist Kannadasan cleverly incorporated lines like 'Mana kangal sollum ponnoviyam' (A golden painting described by the mind's eyes), reflecting the hero's internal perception of beauty.

Keep listening

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