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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
Movie name
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
7 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Oru thaayam adhu iru thaayam
Ena thodarum pozhudhoru athaayam
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Aalavattam podum kaalakattam thaandum
Aanaalum thodarum
Aalavattam podum kaalakattam thaandum
Aanaalum thodarum
Aaninangal theendum poovinangal meendum
Naaldhorum malarum
Thazhuvum kalaiyil vilagaadhu
Mullai maedai katti thaalam thatti thayangaadhu
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Muthu mani vairam modhirathu pavalam
Anaithaal anaikaadhu
Muthu mani vairam modhirathu pavalam
Anaithaal anaikaadhu
Rathinangal yaavum methai sugam kaanum
Vazhiyai vazhangaadhu
Eduthum koduthum parimaarum sugam
Athanaikkum motha idam pennaagum
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Thaayam podu oru thaayam
Kaayum kattathilae paayum
Oru thaayam adhu iru thaayam
Ena thodarum pozhudhoru athaayam
Aahaa aahaa haa haa
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
Rolling a one, and then a two,
As it goes on, there is always a reward.
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
It circles around and crosses the bounds of time,
Yet it goes on and on.
It circles around and crosses the bounds of time,
Yet it goes on and on.
Touched by men, the flower-like women
Will bloom anew every day.
In the art of embrace, they will not hold back,
Like jasmines on a stage, keeping rhythm without hesitation.
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
Pearls, gems, diamonds, and coral on a ring—
Holding them close will bring no warmth.
Pearls, gems, diamonds, and coral on a ring—
Holding them close will bring no warmth.
All the precious stones in the world
Cannot offer the pleasures of love.
The joy shared in giving and taking,
Is found completely only in a woman.
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
Roll the dice, roll a one,
And the coin will leap across the squares.
Rolling a one, and then a two,
As it goes on, there is always a reward.
Aaha aaha ha ha
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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