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Unnal Mudiyum Thambi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Idhazhil Kathai

From Unnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
1 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Inbangal azhaikudhu… aaaaaa….
Manadhil sugam malarum maalaiyidhu
Maanvizhi mayangudhu aaaaaaa…..
Manadhil sugam malarum maalaiyidhu
Ilamai azhagai alli anaipadharkae
Ilamai azhagai alli anaipadharkae
Irukaram thudikudhu thanimaiyum
Nerungida inimaiyum pirakkudhu
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Kaadhal kiligal rendu jaadai pesakandu
Yedhaedhoo ennam en nenjil udhikkum
Naanum neeyum serndhu ragam paadumbodhu
Neer oodai pola en nenjam inikkum
Iniya paruvamulla ilanguyilae
Iniya paruvamulla ilanguyilae
Yen inum thaamadham manmadha kaaviyam ennudan ezhudha
Naanum ezhudhida ilamaiyum thudikkudhu
Naanam adhai vandhu idaiyinil thadukkudhu
Yenghi thavikaiyil naanangal edharkadi
Yekkam thanindhida oru murai thazhuvadi
Kaalam varum varai poruthirundhaal
kanni ival malar karam thazhuvidumae
Kaalam endraikku kanindhidumoo
kaalai manam adhuvarai poruthidumoo
Maalai malar maalai idum velai thanil
Dhegam idhu virundhugal padaithidum
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Inbangal azhaikudhu… aaaaaa….
Manadhil sugam malarum maalaiyidhu
Thoghai polae minnum poovai undhan koondhal
Kaarmegham endrae naan solven kannae
Paavai endhan koondhal vaasam yaavum andha
Megham thanil yedhu nee solvaai kannaa
Azhagai sumandhu varum azhagarasi
Azhagai sumandhu varum azhagarasi
Aanandha poomugam andhiyil vandhidum sundhara nilavoo
Naalum nilavadhu theyudhu maraiyudhu
Nangai mughamena yaaradhai sonnadhu
Mangai un badhil manadhinai kavarudhu
Maaran kanai vandhu maarbinil paayudhu
Kaaman kanaigalai thaduthidavae
Kaadhal mayil thunai ena varugiradhu
Maiyal thandhidum vaarthaigalae
Mogam enum nerupinai pozhigiradhu
Mogam nerupaaga adhai theerkum oru
Jeeva nadhi aruginil irukkudhu
Manadhil sugam malarum maalaiyidhu
Maanvizhi mayangudhu aaaaaaa…..
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu
Inbangal azhaikudhu… aaaaaa….
Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu…
This is the time to write a story on our lips
This is the time to write a story on our lips
Pleasures are calling out... aah...
This is an evening where sweet joy blooms in the heart
Deer-like eyes are entranced... aah...
This is an evening where sweet joy blooms in the heart
To gather youth and beauty into an embrace,
To gather youth and beauty into an embrace,
Both hands ache with longing, and as solitude
Draws near, a new sweetness is born.
This is the time to write a story on our lips
Seeing two lovebirds speak in gestures,
All kinds of thoughts arise in my heart.
When you and I sing a melody together,
My heart feels as sweet as a flowing stream.
O sweet young cuckoo in the bloom of youth,
O sweet young cuckoo in the bloom of youth,
Why still delay writing Manmatha's (the love god's) epic with me?
My youth longs to write it too,
Yet shyness steps in between and holds me back.
When yearning and burning with longing, why this shyness, girl?
Embrace me once to soothe this longing.
If you wait until the right time arrives,
This young girl's flower hands will embrace you.
When will that right time finally ripen?
Can a passionate young heart wait until then?
In the evening, when we exchange flower garlands,
This body will offer you a feast.
This is the time to write a story on our lips
This is the time to write a story on our lips
Pleasures are calling out... aah...
This is an evening where sweet joy blooms in the heart
Your hair shines like a peacock's feathers, my lovely girl,
I would say it is like a dark raincloud, my dear.
All the sweet fragrance in this girl's hair—
Could that cloud ever have it? Tell me, my beloved!
O queen of beauty, carrying so much grace,
O queen of beauty, carrying so much grace,
Is your joyful flower-face the beautiful moon rising at dusk?
Every day the moon wanes and disappears,
So who could say it looks like a woman's face?
Girl, your answer wins over my heart,
Maran's (the love god's) arrow strikes deep into my chest.
To block the arrows of the god of love,
This peacock of love comes to your side.
These infatuating words of yours
Rain down the fire of desire.
If desire is a fire, to put it out,
A living river flows right beside you.
This is an evening where sweet joy blooms in the heart
Deer-like eyes are entranced... aah...
This is the time to write a story on our lips
Pleasures are calling out... aah...
This is the time to write a story on our lips...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Idhazhil Kadhai Ezhudhum Neramidhu' is a classic, poetic duet from Unnal Mudiyum Thambi depicting an intimate and romantic dialogue between lovers during a serene evening. Rich in classical metaphors and literary Tamil phrasing, the song captures the playfulness, anticipation, and deep affection between the couple as they compare each other's beauty to elements of nature such as rainclouds, the moon, and sweet streams. The dialogue subtly contrasts the hero's eager passion with the heroine's delicate shyness and poised wait for the right moment of marital union, weaving together themes of romantic longing and romantic playfulness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum neramidhu

Expressing intimacy poetically as 'writing a story on the lips' ('Idhazhil kadhai ezhudhum').

Simile (Uvamai)

Neer oodai pola en nenjam inikkum

Comparing the joy in the heart to a sweet flowing stream ('Neer oodai pola').

Alliteration (Monai)

Naanum ezhudhida ilamaiyum thudikkudhu / Naanam adhai vandhu idaiyinil thadukkudhu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines ('Naanum' / 'Naanam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mogam enum nerupinai pozhigiradhu

Describing intense passion as a fire ('Mogam enum nerupinai').

Personification

Inbangal azhaikudhu… aaaaaa….

Attributing human actions to abstract feelings ('Inbangal azhaikudhu' - Pleasures beckon).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, this iconic song is composed in the Carnatic raga 'Lalitha'. It remains one of the most celebrated classical-pop fusion duets in Tamil cinema history, renowned for its complex swara improvisations during the interlude.

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