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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhaagam Edukkira Neram

From Enakkaga Kaathiru · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enakkaga Kaathiru1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep
Madhu mazhai pozhiyumaWill it rain sweet nectar?
Malarvanam nanaiyumaaWill the flower garden get drenched?
Ini santhana pookkalilFrom now on, in the sandalwood flowers
Sinthum magaranthamPollen will spill
Female
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep
Female
Imayam pani malar soodumThe Himalayas will wear a flower of snow
Vizhiyil kanavugal aadumDreams will dance in the eyes
Idhayam muzhuthum naadhamMusic fills the entire heart
Idhuthaan sangama maadhamThis is the month of union
Female
Pesum kiligalae pulveligalaeOh talking parrots! Oh grasslands!
Oo….nanainthana poovaeOh... the flowers are drenched
Devan vanthaan kondaadungalGod has arrived, celebrate!
Kashtamindri pannpaadungalSing melodies effortlessly!
Female
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep
Female
Panigal urugidum oosaiThe sound of melting ice
Pesum manmatha paasaiSpeaks the language of Cupid
Imaigal thudiththidum oosaiThe sound of fluttering eyelids
Idhayaththin ragasiya paashaiIs the heart's secret language
Female
Kadhal amuthamaa illaiIs love nectar, or...
Vishamamaa illai amudha vishamamaaIs it poison, or a sweet poison?
Kannukkullae thookkamillaeThere is no sleep in the eyes
Kadhal solla naakkumillaiThere is no tongue to express love
Ini naan paadum BoopaalamThe morning raga I sing from now on
Paadhaalam varaiyil pogum….Will reach all the way to the underworld...
Female
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep
Madhu mazhai pozhiyumaWill it rain sweet nectar?
Malarvanam nanaiyumaaWill the flower garden get drenched?
Ini santhana pookkalilFrom now on, in the sandalwood flowers
Sinthum magaranthamPollen will spill
Female
Dhaagam edukkira neramAt the time when thirst arises
Vaasal varuguthu megamA cloud comes to the doorstep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses intense romantic yearning, anticipation, and the overwhelming joy of union between lovers. The singer uses rich allegories of nature—thirst representing unfulfilled desire and rain clouds representing the comforting presence of the beloved—to portray the sensory experience of falling deeply in love. The lyrics describe how love renders one sleepless and speechless, blending sweet joy and painful passion into an intoxicating experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Dhaagam edukkira neram / Vaasal varuguthu megam

Thirst represents physical and emotional romantic longing, while the cloud at the doorstep metaphorically symbolizes the arrival of the beloved to satisfy that longing.

Oxymoron

Vishamamaa illai amudha vishamamaa

Combines nectar (amudhu) and poison (visham) to illustrate love's simultaneously painful and sweet nature.

Hyperbole (Ushuyokthi)

Imaigal thudiththidum oosai / Idhayaththin ragasiya paashai

Exaggerates the subtle movement of fluttering eyelids into a distinct audible sound that acts as the heart's secret language.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Panigal urugidum oosai / Pesum manmatha paasai

Matching initial sounds in consecutive lines such as 'Panigal' and 'Pesum' or 'Imaigal' and 'Idhayaththin'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Enakkaga Kaathiru (1981) was directed by acclaimed cinematographer P. S. Nivas. Though music credits are often omitted in partial archives, the film's iconic soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran and vocals delivered by Deepan Chakravarthy and S. Janaki.

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