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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagennum Oviyam

From Oorukku Uzhaippavan · 1976

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oorukku Uzhaippavan1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Azhagenum oviyam ingaeHere is a painting named beauty.
Unnai ezhudhiya ravivarman engaeWhere is Raja Ravi Varma who painted you?
Azhagenum oviyam ingaeHere is a painting named beauty.
Unnai ezhudhiya ravivarman engaeWhere is Raja Ravi Varma who painted you?
Female
Ilakkiya kaaviyam ingaeHere is a literary epic.
Unnai iyattriya paavalan engaeWhere is the poet who created you?
Ilakkiya kaaviyam ingaeHere is a literary epic.
Unnai iyattriya paavalan engae….Where is the poet who created you?
Female
Ilakkiya kaaviyam ingaeHere is a literary epic.
Unnai iyattriya paavalan engaeWhere is the poet who created you?
Male
Kaaman kalaikkor kallooriA college for the art of Kamadeva,
Kanden iru vizhiyilI saw in both your eyes.
Kavi kamban ezhudhaa paattellaamSongs that the great poet Kamban never wrote,
Ketten kili mozhiyilI heard in your parrot-like sweet voice.
Male
Muthu charangal sindhaamalWithout scattering strings of pearls,
Sindhum kuru nagaiyilIn the gentle smile that spills forth,
Naan moondraam thamizhai paarkkindrenI behold Natakam, the third form of Tamil,
Kannae unadhan idai asaivilMy dear, in the sway of your slender waist.
Male
Azhagenum oviyam ingaeHere is a painting named beauty.
Unnai ezhudhiya ravivarman engaeWhere is Raja Ravi Varma who painted you?
Female
Endrum ilamai maaraamalWith eternal youthfulness unchanged,
Vaazhum sarithiramaeOh living history!
Nee endhan thalaivan endrennumThe constant thought that you are my leader,
Ennam inithidumaeThat thought makes my heart sweet.
Ondraa irandaa en aasaiIs my desire just one or two?
Sollil varuvadhillaiIt cannot be expressed in words.
Naan unnaal adaiyum paerinbamThe supreme bliss I attain because of you,
Andha sorgam tharuvadhillaiEven that heaven cannot bestow upon me.
Female
Ilakkiya kaaviyam ingaeHere is a literary epic.
Unnai iyattriya paavalan engaeWhere is the poet who created you?
Male
Azhagenum oviyam ingaeHere is a painting named beauty.
Unnai ezhudhiya ravivarman engaeWhere is Raja Ravi Varma who painted you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song from the film 'Oorukku Uzhaippavan' (1976) expresses deep admiration between lovers by comparing human beauty to timeless fine arts. The male lead marvels at his beloved's beauty, comparing her to a painting by the legendary master Raja Ravi Varma and an epic crafted by a master poet. He sees divine romance and unwritten poetry in her eyes, voice, and graceful posture. In turn, the female lead praises her lover as living history and declares that the joy derived from his love surpasses the heavenly pleasures of paradise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Comparison)

Azhagenum oviyam ingae / Unnai ezhudhiya ravivarman engae

Compares the heroine's physical beauty to a painting by Ravi Varma and a grand literary epic.

Hyperbole (Uruvagandhu / Atisayokthi)

Naan unnaal adaiyum paerinbam / Andha sorgam tharuvadhillai

Exaggerates the lovers' bliss by stating that even heaven (sorgam) cannot offer the supreme happiness found in their love.

Monai (Alliteration)

Ilakkiya kaaviyam ingae / Unnai iyattriya paavalan engae

Repetition of the initial letter 'I' in 'Ilakkiya' and 'Iyattriya'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features iconic imagery referencing the legendary Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma and the classical Tamil epic poet Kavi Kamban, emphasizing traditional aesthetic sensibilities in Tamil cinema lyrics.

Keep listening

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