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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithirame Un Vizhikal

From Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981 Film) · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vasantha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981 Film)1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.
Muththiraigal itta manmathan naanI am the Cupid who has sealed you as mine,
Unthan mannavanthaanI am your king.
Intha ponmaanaiyaeShould I touch this golden deer...
Oru poonthendralaai thodavo…....like a soft, flower-scented breeze?
Male
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.
Muththiraigal itta manmathan naanI am the Cupid who has sealed you as mine,
Unthan mannavanthaanI am your king.
Intha ponmaanaiyaeShould I touch this golden deer...
Oru poonthendralaai thodavo….o…...like a soft, flower-scented breeze?
Female
…………….[Interlude]
Male
{Idai konda annam ondruA swan with a slender waist
Ezhilodu vanthaadaComes to dance with beauty,
Nadai sinthum nalinam kanduSeeing the delicate grace poured into her walk,
Manam ondru poraada} (2)A heart struggles in love's battle.
Male
Padai konda mannam koodaEven a king with a grand army
Pasi kondu thallaadaStaggers with a hunger for love,
Paavai unthan paruvam indruWill your youth today, young lady,
Badhil sollumo….Offer an answer?
Male
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.
Muththiraigal itta manmathan naanI am the Cupid who has sealed you as mine,
Unthan mannavanthaanI am your king.
Intha ponmaanaiyaeShould I touch this golden deer...
Oru poonthendralaai thodavo….o…...like a soft, flower-scented breeze?
Female
…………….[Interlude]
Male
{Kadal Pola pongum ullamWhen the heart overflowing like the ocean
Karai kaanum neraththilIs about to touch the shore,
Udal meeri pongum inbamJoy overflows beyond the body,
Alai mothum kolaththil} (2)In the form of crashing waves.
Male
Madal kondu ilamai ezhuthumWritten by youth through love-letters,
Kavi ondru malaraathoWill not a poem bloom?
Vidai solla vidiyum kaalaiTo give an answer, the dawning morning
Varum allavo…Will surely come, won't it?
Male
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.
Muththiraigal itta manmathan naanI am the Cupid who has sealed you as mine,
Unthan mannavanthaanI am your king.
Intha ponmaanaiyaeShould I touch this golden deer...
Oru poonthendralaai thodavo….o…...like a soft, flower-scented breeze?
Male
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.
Chiththiramae un VizhigalO picture-like beauty, your eyes...
Koththu malar kanaigal...are arrows made of a cluster of flowers.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Chiththiramae Un Vizhigal' is a poetic romantic melody that compares the beloved heroine to a beautiful painting and a graceful swan. The protagonist presents himself as Manmatha (Cupid), expressing a delicate desire to gently caress her like a sweet floral breeze. He praises her alluring eyes, which strike like Cupid's flower-tipped arrows. The song explores the depth of romantic desire, describing how even powerful rulers can succumb to the enchantment of beauty. The passion in their hearts is compared to an ocean surging past its shores, looking forward to the dawn when their love finds its fulfillment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Koththu malar kanaigal

Compares the maiden's eyes ('Vizhigal') directly to Cupid's flower-arrows ('malar kanaigal').

Simile (Upamai)

Oru poonthendralaai thodavo….

Uses 'poonthendralaai' (like a gentle flower breeze) to describe the desired delicate touch.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Idai konda annam ondru / Nadai sinthum nalinam kandu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'dai' across consecutive lines (Idai / Nadai / Padai).

Simile (Upamai)

Kadal Pola pongum ullam

Compares the rising emotions of the heart ('ullam') to a surging ocean ('Kadal Pola').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Vairamuthu early in his career, this song highlights classical Tamil poetic imagery such as comparing a woman's walk to a swan ('Annam') and her eyes to Manmatha's floral arrows.

Keep listening

More from Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981 Film)