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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagi Oruthi

From Pilot Premnath · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
L. R. Eswari, P. Jayachandran
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pilot Premnath1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Azhagi oruthi ilanee vikkiraaA beautiful girl sells tender coconut
Kozhumbu veedhiyilaeOn the streets of Colombo
Arugil oruththan urugi nikkiraanNearby, a man stands melting
Kumari azhagilaeIn the beauty of the young maiden
Female
Akka mava kanna adichchaaThe sister's daughter winked her eye
Mamankaaran kaiyai piduchaanThe maternal uncle held her hand
Akka mava kanna adichchaaThe sister's daughter winked her eye
Mamankaaran kaiyai piduchaanThe maternal uncle held her hand
Male
Uppu kadaloram oru jodi nanduA pair of crabs by the salty seashore
Odi uravaadi vilaiyaada kanduSeeing them run around and play intimately
Uppu kadaloram oru jodi nanduA pair of crabs by the salty seashore
Odi uravaadi vilaiyaada kanduSeeing them run around and play intimately
Male
Maman thol meedhu kaipottu konduPutting her hand over her uncle's shoulder
Mella nadanthaalaam ila vaazhanthanduThe tender plantain-stem-like girl walked gently
Male
Hae….velli manal meththai virikkaHey... spreading a bed of silver sand
Vanthaalammaa paadam padikkaShe came to learn a lesson
Velli manal meththai virikkaSpreading a bed of silver sand
Vanthaalammaa paadam padikkaShe came to learn a lesson
Male
Odai meenaattam oyaamal thullumLeaping ceaselessly like a stream fish
Orakkan paarvai oru paattu sollumA side-glance sings a song
Female
Aasai thaalaamal alaipaayum nenjamUnable to bear desire, the heart surges like waves
Anna kiliyaattam aththaanai konjumLike a swan bird, she caresses her lover
Male
Manjal mugam sekkasivakkumHer turmeric-bright face turns crimson red
Female :Ammaadiyov vetkam irukkumFemale: Oh my, there is sweet shyness!
Male :Manjal mugam sekkasivakkumMale: Her turmeric-bright face turns crimson red
Female :Ammaadiyov vetkam irukkumFemale: Oh my, there is sweet shyness!
Female
Azhagi oruthi ilanee vikkiraaA beautiful girl sells tender coconut
Kozhumbu veedhiyilaeOn the streets of Colombo
Male :Arugil oruththan urugi nikkiraanMale: Nearby, a man stands melting
Kumari azhagilaeIn the beauty of the young maiden
Male
Akka mava kanna adichchaaThe sister's daughter winked her eye
Female :Mamankaaran kaiyai piduchaanFemale: The maternal uncle held her hand
Male :Akka mava kanna adichchaaMale: The sister's daughter winked her eye
Female :Aahaan mamankaaran kaiyai piduchaanFemale: Aha, the maternal uncle held her hand

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic song depicts a sweet banter between lovers set in the bustling streets and beaches of Colombo. A charming girl selling tender coconuts catches the eye of a young man who is completely mesmerized by her beauty and maiden charm. Using vivid imagery of the beach, playing crabs, and silver sands, the song captures their playful affection, romantic hints, and natural shyness as they tease each other about traditional romantic gestures like winking and holding hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Mella nadanthaalaam ila vaazhanthandu

Compares the delicate and graceful stature of the young woman to a tender plantain stem ('ila vaazhanthandu').

Uvamai (Simile)

Odai meenaattam oyaamal thullum

Compares her restless and vibrant glances to a fish leaping continuously in a flowing stream ('Odai meenaattam').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Hae….velli manal meththai virikka

Refers to the shiny beach sands poetically as a 'bed of silver sand' ('velli manal meththai').

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Trivia

'Pilot Premnath' (1978) was a historic joint film production between India and Sri Lanka starring Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan alongside Sri Lankan actress Malini Fonseka. Since the movie is set in Sri Lanka, Vaali purposefully incorporated local Sri Lankan context like the streets of Colombo ('Kozhumbu veedhiyilae') into the lyrics.

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