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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Holi Holi

From Raasukutti · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raasukutti1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Holi holi holiHoli, Holi, Holi
Shubha laali laali laaliAn auspicious lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Laali laali laaliLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Kadhai sonnaal kaadhal thozhiMy beloved friend told a story
Solla solla thaenaai paaindhadhuAs it was told, it flowed sweet like honey
Ullam rendum thanaai serndhadhuBoth hearts joined together on their own
Solla solla thaenaai paaindhadhuAs it was told, it flowed sweet like honey
Ullam rendum thanaai serndhadhuBoth hearts joined together on their own
Female
Holi holi holiHoli, Holi, Holi
Shubha laali laali laaliAn auspicious lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Kothu kothu poovagaLike bunches and bunches of flowers
Muthu muthu malaigalGarlands of lustrous pearls
Punnagayil paarthenI saw them in your smile
Alli alli serthenI gathered and collected them all
Female
Otti otti uravaadaTo bond closely in affection
Katti katti kalandhaadaTo embrace tightly and mingle
Muthamennum poondhaenThe sweet floral nectar called a kiss
Kotti kotti koduthaenI poured and gave abundantly
Male
Sindhamalae yendhiya sindhamaniA precious gem held carefully without dropping
Kaiyoodu naan vaangiya semaanganiA sweet ripe fruit I received right into my hands
Chorus
Nananna nannananNananna nannanan
Nanannana nanannaNanannana nananna
Female
Oru malligai pandhaagaLike a canopy of jasmine blossoms
Nenjam manjathil vandhadumWhen the heart sways upon the bed
Anbu kanna kanna sonnen unnidamOh dear eyes, my love, I told you
Kaadhal sangeethamThe music of romantic love
Male
Holi holi holiHoli, Holi, Holi
Shubha laali laali laaliAn auspicious lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Female :Laali laali laaliLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Kadhai sonnaal kaadhal thozhiMy beloved friend told a story
Chorus
…………………………….
Female
Gangai karai oorathilaeOn the banks of the river Ganges
Kaathirukkum nerathilaeIn the quiet moments of waiting
Kannan varuvanoWill Krishna arrive?
Kaiyil edupanoWill he hold me in his arms?
Male
Velli alai medayilaeOn the stage of silver waves
Mangai neeradayilaeWhile the maiden bathes
Ullam kodhikudhadiThe heart boils with desire, oh friend
Alla thudikudhadiIt yearns wildly to be held
Female
Ammadiyo paaryavo ambanadhuOh my, that glance was sharp as an arrow
Ponn maanukum aasai undagudhuEven the golden deer feels desire awakening
Chorus :Nananan nannananNananan nannanan
Nannanan nananaNannanan nanana
Male
Andha uchi malai melaeHigh atop that mountain peak
Oru velli pani maadamA silver mansion of snow stands
Adi raadhae raadhae naalumHey Radha, Radha, every single day
Angoru kaadhal kummalamThere is a joyful revelry of love over there
Female
Holi holi holiHoli, Holi, Holi
Shubha laali laali laaliAn auspicious lullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Laali laali laaliLullaby, lullaby, lullaby
Kadhai sonnaal kaadhal thozhiMy beloved friend told a story
Solla solla thaenaai paaindhadhuAs it was told, it flowed sweet like honey
Ullam rendum thanaai serndhadhuBoth hearts joined together on their own
Male
Holi holi holiHoli, Holi, Holi
Shubha laali laali laaliAn auspicious lullaby, lullaby, lullaby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Holi Holi from the film Raasukutti (1992) is a romantic duet expressing the deep affection, passion, and harmonious union between two lovers. Lyricist Vaali uses vibrant poetic imagery, comparing intimate moments to garlands of pearls, honey-like kisses, and flower canopies. The lyrics evoke mythological romance by drawing parallels to Krishna and Radha near the banks of the Ganges. The song alternates between soothing lullaby-like refrains ('Shubha Laali') and energetic rhythmic expressions, depicting how sweet words and affectionate glances bring two souls effortlessly together in a celebration of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Reduplication / Repetition)

Kothu kothu poovaga / Muthu muthu malaigal / Alli alli serthen

Repeated words used for rhythmic emphasis and sensory intensity.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Solla solla thaenaai paaindhadhu

Comparing words to sweet honey flowing ('thaenaai paaindhadhu') and kisses to nectar ('muthamennum poondhaen').

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Otti otti uravaada / Katti katti kalandhaada

Rhyming of second consonants across lines ('Kothu' / 'Muthu', 'Otti' / 'Katti').

Alliteration (Monai)

Sindhamalae yendhiya sindhamani

Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed without credits in some tracklists, Raasukutti (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film stars K. Bhagyaraj and Aishwarya.

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