Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Holi

From Padmaavat · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Richa Sharma, Shail Hada
Music director
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Details
Padmaavat2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haaa..aaa….aaaa….Haaa..aaa....aaaa....
HoliiHoli
Female
Holi naal ingae..It is the day of Holi here..
Kaadhal kootil naan ingaeI am here in the nest of love
Holi naal ingae..It is the day of Holi here..
Kaadhal kootil naan ingaeI am here in the nest of love
Male
Haaa..aaa….aaaa….Haaa..aaa....aaaa....
Female
Mannan melaeUpon the king
Vannam poosi kondaadaTo smear colors and celebrate
Mannilae holiyaaIs it Holi on earth?
Mannan melaeUpon the king
Ennai poosi kondaadaTo smear myself and celebrate
Vinnilae holiyaaIs it Holi in the heavens?
Male
Haaa..aaa….aaaa….Haaa..aaa....aaaa....
Female
Holi kondaadi avan aadum bothuWhen he dances celebrating Holi
Holi kondaadi avan aadum bothuWhen he dances celebrating Holi
Paarthu rasithiduvenooWill I watch and relish it?
Paavai mayangiduvenoWill I, the maiden, swoon in bliss?
Holi naal ingae..It is the day of Holi here..
Kaadhal kootil naan ingaeI am here in the nest of love
Male
Haaa..aaa….aaaa….Haaa..aaa....aaaa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song celebrates the festival of Holi as an emblem of deep romantic devotion and divine love. The narrator describes herself resting in the 'nest of love', captivated as she watches her king celebrate and dance. She contrasts the earthly celebration of smearing colors on her beloved with a heavenly experience, expressing her ecstatic swooning at the sight of her lover.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Kaadhal kootil naan ingae

The phrase 'Kaadhal kootil' translates to 'nest of love', metaphorically describing the sanctuary and comfort found in love.

Antithesis / Wordplay (Mannilae vs Vinnilae)

Mannilae holiyaa / Vinnilae holiyaa

Contrasting 'Mannilae' (on Earth) with 'Vinnilae' (in the Heavens) creates a poetic balance comparing earthly passion with divine euphoria.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Mannan melae / Mannilae holiyaa

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound in 'Mannan' and 'Mannilae' adds a pleasing rhythm.

Rhetorical Question

Paarthu rasithiduvenoo / Paavai mayangiduveno

The lyrics end lines with poetic questioning ('rasithiduvenoo', 'mayangiduveno') to express playful anticipation and emotional overwhelm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is part of the Tamil dubbed album for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic period drama Padmaavat (2018). Lyricist Madhan Karky adapted the traditional Rajasthani folk-inspired Hindi compositions into Tamil, preserving the poetic flavor of royal festivities and romantic devotion.

Keep listening

More from Padmaavat