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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devi Sridevi

From Vazhvey Maayam · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Vazhvey Maayam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaaaaa…aaaa….aaaaaa..(Vocalizing melodious chants)
Thatharinaa ..naaa….aaaaaaaaaaaa…(Rhythmic vocal beats)
Male
Devi..sri devi….O Goddess, Sri Devi...
{Devi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoru{O Goddess Sri Devi, open your holy mouth and
Vaarthai solli vidammaSpeak a word to me, mother
Paavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasariThis sinner and innocent soul, to behold your presence daily
Kidaithida varam kodamma} (2)Grant me a boon so I may receive it} (2)
Male
Kaiyil maniyai dhinamum pidithaeHolding the prayer bell in my hand every day
Aattum bhakthan ammaI am a devotee ringing it for you, mother
Soodam yethi melum keezhumLighting camphor and waving it up and down
Kaattum pithan ammaI am an obsessed devotee worshipping you, mother
Male
Devi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoruO Goddess Sri Devi, open your holy mouth and
Vaarthai solli vidammaSpeak a word to me, mother
Paavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasariThis sinner and innocent soul, to behold your presence daily
Kidaithida varam kodammaGrant me a boon so I may receive it
Female
Maalai mariyaadhai maniyosai edharkuWhy all these garlands, honors, and ringing bells?
Devi avadhaaram naan dhaana unakkuAm I really an avatar of a Goddess to you?
Poli poosaariyae..aeeeYou fake priest!
Male
Patta podaatha poosari naanI am a priest without formal titles or robes
Panna koodaadho poojaigal thaanAm I not allowed to perform my worship of love?
Amman un meni aani pon meniO Goddess, your form is like pure refined gold
Anban thoda vendumaeYour beloved devotee desires to touch it
Female
Haan…Aha...
Edatha koduthaa madatha pudipaeIf given an inch, you take a mile
Enakka theriyaathu..Male :Hey hey heyDo you think I do not know that? Male: Hey hey hey
Varatha kodutha sivanae thavichanEven Lord Shiva suffered after granting a boon to Bhasmasura
Enakka puriyaathu..Male :Ahaaaa..Do you think I do not understand? Male: Ahaaaa..
Male
Devi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoruO Goddess Sri Devi, open your holy mouth and
Vaarthai solli vidammaSpeak a word to me, mother
Paavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasariThis sinner and innocent soul, to behold your presence daily
Kidaithida varam kodamma..haan…Grant me a boon so I may receive it.. aha...
Female
Paavam paridhaapamPity and mercy!
Bhaktha un bhakthiO devotee, your devotion
Anda mudiyaathu aangara shakthiCannot approach my fierce, protective power
Aasai aagaathaiyaaa..Such desires are not good, sir!
Male
Kannil nadamaadum sivagaamiyaeO Sivagami dancing in my eyes
Anbin uruvaana abhiraamiyaeO Abhirami embodied as love itself
Kaanchi kaamatchi madhura meenatchiKamakshi of Kanchi, Meenakshi of Madurai
Enakku nee thaan ammaTo me, you are the divine mother
Female
Haan..haanAha.. aha
Sekku maadu suthi varalaamAn oil-mill bull may keep walking around in circles
Oor poi seraathuBut it will never reach any new destination
Male :Thatharina thana thanaMale: Thatharina thana thana
Female :Intha mogam oru thalai raagamFemale: This infatuation is a one-sided melody
Mayakkam theeraadhuThis trance will never break
Male :Aahaaaa…aaaaMale: Aahaaaa…aaaa
Male
Devi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoruDevi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoru
Vaarthai solli vidammaVaarthai solli vidamma
Paavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasariPaavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasari
Kidaithida varam kodammaaaa…..Grant me a boon so I may receive it...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a male lover addressing his beloved as a divine goddess ('Devi Sri Devi') and framing his romantic courtship in the metaphors of temple rituals, camphor worship, and prayer bells. The female protagonist responds with witty resistance, comparing his opportunistic advances to taking a mile when given an inch, and reminding him of mythology where granting boons led to trouble.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamaithal)

Devi sri devi un thiruvaai malarnthoru

The male protagonist compares his romantic devotion to temple rituals, treating his lover as a literal deity ('Devi') and himself as an unordained priest ('Patta podaatha poosari').

Rhyme and Assonance (Edukki / Monai)

Paavi appaavi un dharisanam dhinasari

Vaali uses rhyming word pairs like 'Paavi / Appaavi' and 'Meni / Aani pon meni' to create rhythmic cadence.

Mythological Allusion

Varatha kodutha sivanae thavichan

The song references Lord Shiva suffering after granting boons (alluding to Bhasmasura), as well as prominent Tamil deities (Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi, Abhirami).

Proverbial Metaphor

Sekku maadu suthi varalaam oor poi seraathu

The bull tied to an oil press ('Sekku maadu') is used as an idiom for an endless journey going nowhere.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vazhvey Maayam' (1982) stars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, with music composed by Gangai Amaran. The song cleverly plays on Sridevi's actual name by addressing her character as 'Devi Sri Devi'.

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