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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Ilamai

From Kai Pidithaval · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kai Pidithaval1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Idhu ilamai kaala iravuThis is a night of youthful time,
Angu inimai konjum nilavuThere, the moon babbles with sweetness.
Idhu ilamai kaala iravuThis is a night of youthful time,
Angu inimai konjum nilavuThere, the moon babbles with sweetness.
Idhil innum enna ninaivuWhat more lingering thoughts could there be in this?
Sugam irandu perin uravuPleasure lies in the bond between two souls.
Female
Idhu ilamai kaala iravuThis is a night of youthful time,
Angu inimai konjum nilavuThere, the moon babbles with sweetness.
Female
Agalyai kadhaiyai enniDwelling upon the tale of Ahalya,
Thunaiyai marakkalaamaaIs it right to forget one's companion?
Idhu munivan kaalamallaThis is no longer the era of ancient sages,
Sriraman thoodhu sellaFor Lord Rama to send an emissary.
Intha velli nilaavinai paarungalaenLook at this shining silver moon,
Antha palliyilae kadhai ezhuthungalaenAnd write a romance inside that bed chamber.
Female
Idhu ilamai kaala iravuThis is a night of youthful time,
Angu inimai konjum nilavuThere, the moon babbles with sweetness.
Female
Oodal sirithu neramA lover's quarrel lasts only a brief moment,
Koodal adhigamaagumLeading to even greater intimacy and union.
Naan swaami swwaami endruCalling out 'My Lord, My Lord',
Sila mozhigal ulara vendumI should babble a few tender words.
Nam nenjukku nimmathi palliyaraiThe bed chamber brings peace to our hearts,
Un nenjinil naan ullavaraiAs long as I live within your heart.
Female
Idhu ilamai kaala iravuThis is a night of youthful time,
Angu inimai konjum nilavuThere, the moon babbles with sweetness.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Idhu Ilamai Kaala Iravu' from the movie Kai Pidithaval (1978) is a seductive and romantic track sung by a woman to her lover on a moonlit night. She encourages him to leave behind hesitation, distant philosophical thoughts, and ancient mythic tales like that of Ahalya, reminding him that they live in the present moment where youth and love should be celebrated together. Through playful imagery, she describes how small misunderstandings (oodal) only heighten passion (koodal). The bed chamber serves as a peaceful sanctuary for their love, and she expresses her desire to surrender completely in his affection, celebrating the intimacy between two united hearts under the gentle moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Oodal sirithu neram / Koodal adhigamaagum

The second letters of 'Oodal' and 'Koodal' rhyme, creating rhythmic harmony.

Mythological Allusion (Puranic Reference)

Agalyai kadhaiyai enni / Thunaiyai marakkalaamaa

Kannadasan references the story of Ahalya and Sage Gautama from the Ramayana to contrast ancient ascetic times with present-day romance.

Personification

Angu inimai konjum nilavu

The moon is personified as 'konjum', meaning it babbles or caresses playfully with sweetness.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Intha velli nilaavinai paarungalaen / Antha palliyilae kadhai ezhuthungalaen

Lines end with matching rhyming suffixes like 'paarungalaen' and 'ezhuthungalaen'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the musical duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Kannadasan, this track stands out for S. Janaki's sensuous vocal expression. Her ability to convey subtle emotional nuances and intimate whispers in songs like this established her as one of the premier playback singers for romantic solos in 1970s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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