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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Elalam Kuyiley Elemara Veyiley

From Paandi Nattu Thangam · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paandi Nattu Thangam1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hae..hae…hae…..Hae..hae...hae.....
Hey ..hey..hey…eyyyHey..hey..hey...eyyy
Hae..hae…hae…..Hae..hae...hae.....
Hey ..hey..hey…eyyyHey..hey..hey...eyyy
Chorus
{Dhindhinaakadi dhinakku naakadi{Rhythmic folk vocables
Dhindhinaakadi dhindhindhom} (4)Rhythmic folk vocables} (repeated 4 times)
Male
Yelaelae kuyilae yela mala veyilaeOh cuckoo bird, oh sunshine on the hills,
Aalolam paadum annamae oyilaeOh graceful swan singing sweet melodies,
Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththae maanaeOh unwithering tender banana leaf, my deer,
Vaaraenae maaman naanaeHere comes your beloved uncle,
Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththae maanaeOh unwithering tender banana leaf, my deer,
Vaaraenae maaman naanaeHere comes your beloved uncle,
Chorus
{Dhindhinaakadi dhinakku naakadi{Rhythmic folk vocables
Dhindhinaakadi dhindhindhom} (4)Rhythmic folk vocables} (repeated 4 times)
Male
Yelaelae kuyilae yela mala veyilaeOh cuckoo bird, oh sunshine on the hills,
Aalolam paadum annamae oyilaeOh graceful swan singing sweet melodies,
Male
Muththu muththaaLike sparkling pearls,
Pacharisi vachadhu polaeLike neatly arranged raw rice grains,
Pal varisaiIs your row of teeth,
Thottuputtaa pennarasiWhen I touched you, queen among women,
Shhhh suttadhu yendiShhh, why did it ignite my heart,
En manasaMy fragile heart?
Female
{Themmaangu paattu padichi{Singing a sweet folk melody,
En raasaaMy king,
Gummunu poothu kulungumFragrantly blooming and swaying,
Un rosa} (2)Is your rose} (repeated 2 times)
Male
Gaanakuyilae vilaiyaadum mayilaeOh singing cuckoo, oh playful peacock,
Thaenai eduthu paattu paadum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that gathers honey and sings a song,
Female :Unnai enni kannu vachchenFemale: Thinking of you, I set my eyes on you,
Onnuvidaama solli vachchenI expressed everything without leaving anything out,
Male
Yelaelae kuyilae yela mala veyilaeOh cuckoo bird, oh sunshine on the hills,
Aalolam paadum annamae oyilaeOh graceful swan singing sweet melodies,
Female
Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththaeOh unwithering tender banana leaf,
NaanaeI myself,
Vandhaenae thedi thaanaeCame searching for you on my own,
Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththaeOh unwithering tender banana leaf,
NaanaeI myself,
Vandhaenae thedi thaanaeCame searching for you on my own,
Chorus
Ohoo..ooo..aahaaa…Ohoo..ooo..aahaaa...
Ohoo..oo..Ohoo..oo..
Aaa…aaaa…aaa…aaaa…Aaa...aaaa...aaa...aaaa...
Female
Onna enni kanni manamThinking of you, this maiden heart
Odudhu paaru dhesam engumLook, it wanders across lands everywhere,
Ungala thaan kanduputtaaIf it catches sight of you,
Ullukkul yedho paasam pongumDeep inside, deep affection overflows,
Male
Oorenna ulagam enna ippodhuWhat does the town or world matter now?
Naan onna serndhaa podhum eppodhumIt is enough for me if I unite with you forever,
Oorenna ulagam enna ippodhuWhat does the town or world matter now?
Naan onna serndhaa podhum eppodhumIt is enough for me if I unite with you forever,
Female
Kaalam irukkuTime is on our side,
Oru neram irukkuAn auspicious moment awaits,
Maala mudikka oru yogam irukkuDestiny smiles upon us to exchange garlands,
Male :Vitta kora thotta koraMale: Past shortcomings or missing links,
Onnukkul onnaa serndhirukkuHave now merged together as one,
Female
Yelaelae kuyilae yela mala veyilaeOh cuckoo bird, oh sunshine on the hills,
Male :Aalolam paadum annamae oyilaeMale: Oh graceful swan singing sweet melodies,
Female
Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththaeOh unwithering tender banana leaf,
NaanaeI myself,
Vandhaenae thedi thaanaeCame searching for you on my own,
Male :Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththaeMale: Oh unwithering tender banana leaf,
MaanaeMy deer,
Vaaraenae maaman naanaeHere comes your beloved uncle,
Chorus
{Dhindhinaakadi dhinakku naakadi{Rhythmic folk vocables
Dhindhinaakadi dhindhindhom} (4)Rhythmic folk vocables} (repeated 4 times)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Paandi Nattu Thangam is a vibrant Tamil folk duet expressing affectionate banter and romantic yearning between two lovers. Set against a rural backdrop, the lyrics use rich nature imagery—comparing the beloved to cuckoo birds, swans, tender banana leaves, and roses—to express deep love and longing. The lovers speak of how their hearts wander searching for each other and express joy at the prospect of overcoming past obstacles to unite in marriage. The song is infused with cheerful folk rhythms and 'themmaangu' song styling.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Muththu muththaa Pacharisi vachadhu polae Pal varisai

Comparing the row of teeth to neatly set raw rice grains and bright pearls.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththae maanae

Addressing the beloved directly using endearing natural metaphors such as 'Vaadaadha vaazha kuruththae' (unwithering tender banana shoot).

Monai / Rhyme & Alliteration

Yelaelae kuyilae yela mala veyilae

Repetition of initial/medial liquid consonants 'l' ('Yelaelae', 'kuyilae', 'yela', 'mala', 'veyilae') creating a rhythmic, musical flow typical of Tamil folk songs.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paandi Nattu Thangam (1989) is a Tamil rural drama film directed by T. P. Gajendran, featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The song features traditional Tamil folk rhythm patterns ('Themmaangu paattu') popular in rural cinematic duets.

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