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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethana Raathiri

From Agni Paarvai · 1992

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Agni Paarvai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ethana raathiri…How many nights…
Nithirai pochudhu…Sleep has gone away…
Manmadhan mogathil yammaa…In the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady…
Female
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Nadu raavaanaa padu soodaachuWhen it becomes midnight, it gets extremely hot
Idhu naal thorum padum paadaachuThis has become a daily struggle
Male
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathi haeiThe incense stick, hey!
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathi haanThe incense stick, yeah!
Female
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Female
Maaligai veedondru kaathirukkaA mansion-like house is waiting
Nalla vaadagai thaan thara nee irukkaAnd you are there to pay good rent
Idathai pidichukko nee kudiyum irundhukkoGrab the space and move in
Male
Vaangura sambalam podhavillaThe salary I earn is not enough
Indha vaathikku veroru vasadhi illaThis teacher has no other comfort
Kadanum solluvaar nee karunai seiyammaaHe'll ask for credit, please show mercy, lady
Female
Kaasum kaiyil illaamalWithout any money in hand
Kaadhal unakku yenaiyaaWhy do you need love, sir?
Male
Kaaman seiyum leelai thaanIt's the playful game of Kama
Maaman paatta paarammaaSee your uncle's song and tricks, lady
Female
Aathaadi un paachaa thaanOh my, your tricks and bluffs
Adhu palikkaadhuWon't work here at all
Male
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathiThe incense stick
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathiThe incense stick
Female
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Female
Saelathu maambazham kaathirukkuA juicy Salem mango is waiting
Adhai yelathil vaangida yaar irukkaaWho is there to buy it in an auction?
Unakku kudaikkumo yaar adhukku poruthamoWill you get it, and who is suitable for it?
Male
Maambazha chaarukku vandirukkuA bee has arrived for the mango juice
Pala marathaiyum pazhathaiyum kandirukkuIt has seen many trees and fruits
Uluthu paathu thaan aaaa.. aaa.. aluthu pochammaaExamining it deeply, ah, it got tired of crying, lady
Female
Solai ondru masiyaadhaeA garden that won't yield easily
Maalai leelai thevaiyaaIs evening playfulness really necessary?
Male
Aalai paathu poriyaaAre you judging the person before falling?
Aattam poda vaariyaaAre you coming to dance and play?
Female
Aathaadi un paachaa thaanOh my, your tricks and bluffs
Adhu palikkaadhuWon't work here at all
Male
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathi haeiThe incense stick, hey!
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathiThe incense stick
Female
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Ethana raathiriHow many nights
Nithirai pochudhuSleep has been lost
Manmadhan mogathil yammaaIn the infatuation of Cupid, oh lady
Nadu raavaanaa padu soodaachuWhen it becomes midnight, it gets extremely hot
Idhu naal thorum padum paadaachuThis has become a daily struggle
Male
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathiThe incense stick
Patha vekkum patha vekkumLighting up, lighting up
Mezhugu vathiThe candle
Ippa pathikkichu pathikkichuNow it has caught fire, caught fire
Oodhu vathiThe incense stick

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and energetic song from 'Agni Paarvai' depicts a playful, seductive banter filled with romantic longing and nocturnal passion. The singer describes sleepless nights consumed by the desire of 'Manmadhan' (the god of love), comparing rising romantic tension to candles and incense sticks catching fire in the dark of midnight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Saelathu maambazham kaathirukku

The woman compares herself to a luscious 'Salem mango' waiting to be claimed, representing beauty and temptation.

Monai (First Syllable Assonance)

Kaasum kaiyil illaamal / Kaadhal unakku yenaiyaa / Kaaman seiyum leelai thaan

Repetition of the initial 'Kaa' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Imagery & Symbolism

Patha vekkum mezhugu vathi / Ippa pathikkichu oodhu vathi

Candles and incense sticks are used as romantic imagery representing passion catching fire and burning through the night.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by the veteran Tamil poet Pulamaipithan for the 1992 crime-action movie 'Agni Paarvai', directed by P. Varadarajan and starring Sarathkumar and Sujatha.

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