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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

I Love You

From Athaimadi Methaiyadi · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
Music director
S. R. Vasu
Details
Athaimadi Methaiyadi1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiI love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchiFemale: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything.
Male :I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiMale: I love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchiFemale: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything.
Male
: Semmannilae thanneerenaLike water falling on red soil,
Ondraagga naamaanomWe have become united as one.
Female :Sonthangalum panthangalumFemale: Relatives and relationships,
Endrendrum naam kaanbomWe shall see and cherish forever.
Male
I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiI love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchiFemale: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything.
Male
Vaa vaa edhuvarai vaanamCome, come, as far as the sky stretches,
Adhuarai povomLet us go up to there.
Female :Po po azhagiya sorkkamFemale: Go, go, a beautiful heaven,
Neril kaanalaamWe can witness in person.
Male
Vaa vaa kadal alai maelaeCome, come, over the ocean waves,
Thazhuvuthu poongaattruThe gentle breeze embraces.
Female :Po po thazhuviya kattrinFemale: Go, go, of that embracing wind,
Ragam ketkalaamWe can hear the melodic tune.
Male
Odam odalaam oorvalam pogalamWe can ride a boat and go on a procession,
Female :Naamum naalellaam moganam paadalaamFemale: We too can sing the Mohanam raga all day long.
Male :Hae hae hae hae….Male: Hae hae hae hae...
Female :Oho oho ho…..Female: Oho oho ho...
Male
I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiI love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchiFemale: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything.
Male
Naalum pudhiyathu intha kadhalin sangeethamEvery day, the music of this love is brand new,
Female :Naamum pudhiyavar thaanae naalum naalumaeFemale: We too remain new and fresh every single day.
Male
Nalum iniyathu kadhalEvery day love is sweet,
Ilamaiyin santhoshamIt is the joy of youth.
Female :Kaalam maaridum pothumFemale: Even when time changes,
Kadhal vaazhumeLove will live on forever.
Male
Veesum kaatrilum paattilum naangalaeWe exist in the blowing breeze and in the song,
Female :Odum aattrilum neerilum naangalaeFemale: We exist in the running river and in the water.
Male :Oho oho ho…Male: Oho oho ho...
Female :Aaaa aahaah aaahaah….Female: Aaaa aahaah aaahaah...
Male
I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiI love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchiFemale: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything.
Male
Semmannilae thanneerenaLike water falling on red soil,
Ondraagga naamaanomWe have become united as one.
Female :Sonthangalum panthangalumFemale: Relatives and relationships,
Endrendrum naam kaanbomWe shall see and cherish forever.
Male
I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchiI love you, with the sea and the shore as witness.
Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchi…Female: You love me, from now on your sight is in everything...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track captures a passionate exchange between two lovers celebrating their unbreakable bond. Using imagery from nature—such as the endless ocean, sky, and gentle breezes—they promise that their love will transcend changing times and stay vibrant forever. The lyricist draws upon classic metaphors of union, expressing that their souls have merged seamlessly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Classical Metaphor / Sangam Allusion

Semmannilae thanneerena Ondraagga naamaanom

The line 'Semmannilae thanneerena ondraagga naamaanom' adapts the famous ancient Sangam poetry trope from Kuruntokai 40 ('Sembula Peal Neer Pola'), comparing the merging of two loving hearts to water blending seamlessly into red earth.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

I love you oru kadalum karaiyum saatchi / Female :You love me ini edhilum unathu kaatchi

The words 'saatchi' and 'kaatchi' at the end of the refrain lines rhyme perfectly, enhancing the song's rhythmic flow.

Anaphora / Repetition

Vaa vaa edhuvarai vaanam / Female :Po po azhagiya sorkkam

The imperative calls 'Vaa vaa' (Come, come) and 'Po po' (Go, go) repeat emphasizing eagerness and playful courtship.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Semmannilae thanneerena' is a direct modern adaptation of one of the most famous Sangam Tamil poems from Kuruntokai 40 ('Yayum Yayum Yaar Ahiyaro'), which famously used red soil absorbing rainwater as an immortal symbol for lovers becoming one.

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