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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gayathiri Ketkum

From Kakkai Siraginilae · 2000

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singers
Bhavatharani, Unnikrishnan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kakkai Siraginilae2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Thoonda thiri eriyumA self-lighting wick burns
Adhil kaadhal oli theriyumAnd the light of love shines in it
Idhu yaar velai adiyoWhose handiwork is this, my dear?
Vaarathil or naal unnaal viradhamObserving a fast one day a week because of you
Vaalibam vandhu vandhu vaattudhadiyoYouth keeps coming and tormenting me, my dear
Female
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Thoonda thiri eriyumA self-lighting wick burns
Adhil kaadhal oli theriyumAnd the light of love shines in it
Idhu yaar velai adiyoWhose handiwork is this, my dear?
Male
Aanandhoori azhagu thooriSprinkling bliss, showering beauty
Aadum dhevadhai yaar magaloWhose daughter is this dancing angel?
Female
Mega thoori ennai theendiTouched by a paintbrush of clouds
Paadum manmadhan yaar ivanoWho is this singing Cupid?
Male
Minnalilae vagideduthaA golden form crafted
Pon uruvam idhuvoFrom the parting of lightning
Pinnalukku minminiyaiAdorning her braid with fireflies
Soodi varum azhagoWhat beauty comes strolling by!
Female
Gandharva raagamA melody of the celestial Gandharvas
Ketkindra neramAt the moment it is heard
Aanandham ammammaOh, what pure bliss!
Male
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Thoonda thiri eriyumA self-lighting wick burns
Adhil kaadhal oli theriyumAnd the light of love shines in it
Idhu yaar velai adiyoWhose handiwork is this, my dear?
Female
Vaarathil or naalOne day a week
Unnaal viradhamFasting because of you
Vaalibam vandhu vandhu vaattudhadiyoYouth keeps coming and tormenting me, my dear
Male
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Female
Vaanil thondrum varna jaalamThe magical colors appearing in the sky
Endha oviyan theettiyadhoWhich artist painted them?
Male
Vaanampaadi paadum paadalThe song sung by the skylark
Endha paingili solliyadhoWhich parrot taught it to sing?
Female
Sooriyanin sandhadhiyilDid he come from the lineage
Vandhavan thaan ivanoOf the sun god himself?
Vennilavin kai pidikkaTo hold the hands of the silver moon
Sammadham thandhavanoHas he given his consent?
Male
Vaiyagam yaavum vaazhndhidum kaalamFor as long as the whole world endures
Aanandham ammammaOh, what pure bliss!
Female
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Male :Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Female :Thoonda thiri eriyumA self-lighting wick burns
Adhil kaadhal oli theriyumAnd the light of love shines in it
Male :Idhu yaar velai adiyoWhose handiwork is this, my dear?
Male
Vaarathil or naalOne day a week
Female :Unnaal viradhamFasting because of you
Male :Vaalibam vandhu vandhuYouth keeps coming and coming
Female :VaattudhadiyoTormenting me, my dear
Female
Gayathiri ketkumWhen the Gayatri chant is heard
Oru maaya thirai vilagumA magical curtain parts
Male :Idhu pon maalai adiyoIs this a golden evening, my dear?
Female :Thoonda thiri eriyumA self-lighting wick burns
Adhil kaadhal oli theriyumAnd the light of love shines in it
Male :Idhu yaar velai adiyoWhose handiwork is this, my dear?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Gayathiri Ketkum' from the movie 'Kakkai Siraginilae' (2000) is a romantic duet expressing the wonder, joy, and passionate yearning of young love. The couple compares their deep feelings to divine and natural phenomena, such as magical curtains lifting upon hearing chants, golden evenings, celestial music, and vibrant colors in the sky. The lyrics weave traditional romantic imagery with spiritual metaphors to highlight how love transforms their perception of the world into pure bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Oru maaya thirai vilagum / Idhu pon maalai adiyo

'Maaya thirai' (magical curtain) and 'Pon maalai' (golden evening) serve as metaphors for the mysterious and precious nature of emerging love.

Rhyme and Assonance (Edukai & Monai)

Aanandhoori azhagu thoori

The song heavily uses initial and internal Tamil rhyme patterns like 'Aanandhoori' and 'azhagu thoori', creating a rhythmic musicality.

Rhetorical Questions (Vinaa Ani)

Endha oviyan theettiyadho / Endha paingili solliyadho

The lyricist uses poetic questioning ('Endha oviyan theettiyadho', 'Endha paingili solliyadho') to emphasize nature's inexplicable beauty and love's wonders.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kakkai Siraginilae' (2000), directed by P. Vasu and starring Parthiban and Abhirami, features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song 'Gayathiri Ketkum' is praised for its rich classical melodic structure blended with romantic lyricism by R.V. Udhaya Kumar.

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