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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engum Idhayam

From Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yengum idhayamThe longing heart
Yengum idhayam engae udhayamThe yearning heart, where is its dawn?
Thaedi paarkkirenI search for it
Naanum oru raagamI too am a melody
Dhinam paadi paarkkirenSinging and trying every day
Male
Yengum idhayamThe longing heart
Yengum idhayam engae udhayamThe yearning heart, where is its dawn?
Thaedi paarkkirenI search for it
Naanum oru raagamI too am a melody
Dhinam paadi paarkkirenSinging and trying every day
Male
Unakkaga yengum ullamThe heart that longs for you
Innum maara villaiyaeHas still not changed
Unai enni theindha nenjam sera villaiyaeThe heart worn out thinking of you has not reunited
Pirivendra kaadhal kaayamThe wound of love called separation
Innum aara villaiyaeHas still not healed
Poogindra paadhai innum saera villaiyaeThe path being traveled has still not reached its end
Male
Un ennam adhil vaazhgirenI live in your thoughts
En anbaeMy beloved
Indraenum badhil sollava en munnaeWill you answer me at least today before me?
Meendum saeravaa en kannaeShall we reunite again, my darling?
Female
Kaadhal kanavuDream of love
Kaadhal kanavu kalaindhadhu uravuThe dream of love shattered, and the relationship dissolved
Kaala naeramooIs it time and fate?
Neeyum ini naanumFrom now on, can you and I
Ondru saera koodumoCome together as one?
Female
Iru vaeru paadhai pona pothumThough traveling on two different paths
Ennam ondru thaanThe thought remains just one
Inaindhaalum vaeru vaeruEven if joined, it is a different
Konam indru thaanPerspective today
Pala vaeru aasaiyodu vadukkindraSuffering with many different desires
Ullam ondruthaanThe heart is just one
Badhil solla vaarthai indriWithout words to answer
Pona kelvi thaanIt became a question left unresolved
Female
Unnodu inaiyaagavoo en raagamWill my melody blend as an equal with yours?
Un raagam adhil serumo en thaalamWill my rhythm join into your melody?
Paadum naal adhu en kannaWhen is that day of singing, my darling?
Male
Yengum idhayamThe longing heart
Yengum idhayam engae udhayamThe yearning heart, where is its dawn?
Thaedi paarkkirenI search for it
Naanum oru raagamI too am a melody
Dhinam paadi paarkkirenSinging and trying every day
Female
Kaadhal kanavuDream of love
Kaadhal kanavu kalaindhadhu uravuThe dream of love shattered, and the relationship dissolved
Kaala naeramooIs it time and fate?
Neeyum ini naanumFrom now on, can you and I
Ondru saera koodumoCome together as one?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This melancholic song portrays a deep emotional yearning for a lost love and a desperate search for hope and resolution. The protagonist compares their soul and emotions to a melody seeking harmony, constantly searching for the 'dawn' that will illuminate their darkened path after separation. The lyrics reflect the anguish of unhealed emotional wounds caused by distance and changing life trajectories.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Naanum oru raagam

The singer compares themselves to a 'raagam' (melody) trying to find its harmony and expression.

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Innum maara villaiyae / Innum aara villaiyae

The lines end with similar sounding rhythmic suffixes ('villaiyae'), establishing a poetic flow.

Muran (Antithesis)

Iru vaeru paadhai pona pothum / Ennam ondru thaan

Contrast between two different paths ('iru vaeru paadhai') and a singular thought ('ennam ondru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Gangai Amaran for the movie 'Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai' (1987), this track uses rich musical metaphors (raagam, thaalam) to express emotional yearning and relationship discord.

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