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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhayam Podu Oru

From En Vazhi Thani Vazhi · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
R. D. Burman
Details
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Female
Oru thaayam adhu iru thaayamOne single roll, then two rolls,
Ena thodarum pozhudhoru athaayamAs it continues, it becomes a profitable gain.
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Female
Aalavattam podum kaalakattam thaandumIt circles around and transcends time,
Aanaalum thodarumYet it still continues.
Aalavattam podum kaalakattam thaandumIt circles around and transcends time,
Aanaalum thodarumYet it still continues.
Female
Aaninangal theendum poovinangal meendumTouched by men, the floral species again
Naaldhorum malarumBlossoms every single day.
Thazhuvum kalaiyil vilagaadhuIn the art of embracing, it does not step back,
Mullai maedai katti thaalam thatti thayangaadhuBuilding a bed of jasmine, clapping the rhythm, it hesitates not.
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Female
Muthu mani vairam modhirathu pavalamPearls, gems, diamonds, corals on the ring,
Anaithaal anaikaadhuIf you embrace them, they cannot provide warmth.
Muthu mani vairam modhirathu pavalamPearls, gems, diamonds, corals on the ring,
Anaithaal anaikaadhuIf you embrace them, they cannot provide warmth.
Female
Rathinangal yaavum methai sugam kaanumAll precious rubies cannot offer the comfort of a bed,
Vazhiyai vazhangaadhuThey will not show the path to pleasure.
Eduthum koduthum parimaarum sugamThe pleasure exchanged by giving and receiving,
Athanaikkum motha idam pennaagumThe ultimate destination for all of it is a woman.
Female
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Thaayam podu oru thaayamRoll the dice, roll a single move,
Kaayum kattathilae paayumThe piece leaps onto the game grid.
Female
Oru thaayam adhu iru thaayamOne single roll, then two rolls,
Ena thodarum pozhudhoru athaayamAs it continues, it becomes a profitable gain.
Aahaa aahaa haa haaAahaa aahaa haa haa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaayam Podu Oru Thaayam uses the extended metaphor of the ancient Tamil board game Thaayam to describe the playful and captivating nature of romance and physical intimacy. The lyrics draw parallels between rolling dice to move pieces across a board and the exciting, unpredictable progression of love. Vairamuthu contrasts cold, inanimate luxuries like diamonds, pearls, and rubies with the warm, living comfort found in a loving relationship, concluding that true sensory and emotional joy resides in a woman's presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thaayam podu oru thaayam / Kaayum kattathilae paayum

Compares the game of love and intimacy to playing the traditional dice board game Thaayam.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thaayam podu oru thaayam / Kaayum kattathilae paayum

The second letter 'ya' rhymes in consecutive lines.

Juxtaposition / Contrast

Muthu mani vairam modhirathu pavalam / Anaithaal anaikaadhu

Contrasts inanimate precious jewels (pearls, diamonds) which cannot give affection with the warm comfort of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Chandrabose for the 1988 film En Vazhi Thani Vazhi starring Raghuvaran. It creatively incorporates terminology from the traditional dice game 'Thaayam' into a seductive romantic track sung by S. P. Shailaja.

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