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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Kaala Kaalam

From Valampuri Sangu · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Valampuri Sangu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………Is this the time for waves to rise and touch the shore?
Male
Idhu kaalaa kaalam alaigal karaiyil yaeri varaIs this the right moment for the boat to sway upon the sea?
Idhu neraa neram kadalil padaku aadi varaYou are the precious pearl, and am I not the sacred yellow thread?
Nee manimuththu oru manjal noolum naanallavoI saw it tonight, right along with the night.
Male
Naan paarthaen innae raavoda raavaaChorus: Yae thaiyaarae thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaarae
Chorus :Yae thaiyaarae thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaaraeMale: I saw it tonight, right along with the night.
Male :Naan paarthaen innae raavoda raavaaI joined it along with a good and auspicious day.
Naan saerththaen nalla naaloda naalaaYou are young, like a fresh fish near the red banana tree.
Siru vayasu neeyum sevvaazhai meenuWhen two fish gaze at each other with their eyes,
Female
Meenum meenum kannaal paarththaalA hundred fish will arrive, so goes the talk of our town.
Nooru meenum varum nammooru pechuMale: For you and me, bound as one,
Male :Enakkum unakkum onnaaIt is a divine knot tied by the Goddess.
Amman potta mudichchuIs this the time for waves to rise and touch the shore?
Male
Idhu kaalaa kaalam alaigal karaiyil yaeri varaIs this the right moment for the boat to sway upon the sea?
Idhu neraa neram kadalil padaku aadi varaYou are the precious pearl, and am I not the sacred yellow thread?
Nee manimuththu oru manjal noolum naanallavoEven as you came along with me,
Chorus
…………………Chorus: Thaiyaarae thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaarae
Female
Ennoda neeyum vanthaalum vanthaeFemale: Even as you came along with me,
Chorus :Thaiyaarae thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaa thaiyaaraeEven as you wedded me,
Female :Ennoda neeyum vanthaalum vanthaeEven as I became a brand new woman,
Kannaalam katti thanthaalum thanthaeTouching you feels like sweet jaggery and pure gold.
Pudhu manusi naanum aanaalum aanaenJust looking at you makes my heart leap with joy.
Male
Thottaa vellam katti thangamFemale: What I wished for, I obtained!
Summaa paarththaalae en nenju thullumThis is a very fortunate time for me as well.
Femlae :Nenaichen kedaichaeIs this the time for waves to rise and touch the shore?
Enakkum rompa nalla neramFemale: Is this the right moment for the boat to sway upon the sea?
Male
Idhu kaalaa kaalam alaigal karaiyil yaeri varaMale: You are the precious pearl, and am I not the sacred yellow thread?
Female :Idhu neraa neram kadalil padaku aadi varaIs this the time for waves to rise and touch the shore?
Male :Nee manimuththu oru manjal noolum naanallavoMale: Is this the right moment for the boat to sway upon the sea?
Female
Idhu kaalaa kaalam alaigal karaiyil yaeri vara
Male :Idhu neraa neram kadalil padaku aadi vara

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song from 'Valampuri Sangu' is a joyful folk duet set against coastal imagery, celebrating the union of two lovers. Using metaphors of waves reaching the shore, boats swaying on the sea, and a yellow thread binding a precious pearl, the couple express their mutual affection and excitement after getting married.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Nee manimuththu oru manjal noolum naanallavo

The woman is compared to a precious pearl (Manimuththu) while the man compares himself to the yellow thread (Manjal Nool) holding it.

Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naan paarthaen innae raavoda raavaa / Naan saerththaen nalla naaloda naalaa

The second consonant 'n' in 'paarthaen' and 'saerththaen' matches across lines, creating a pleasing Tamil poetic cadence.

Imagery & Symbolism

Idhu kaalaa kaalam alaigal karaiyil yaeri vara

Maritime imagery such as waves hitting the shore and boats swaying in the sea symbolizes romantic momentum and emotional union.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Gangai Amaran early in his independent career, the song captures coastal Tamil Nadu folk musical aesthetics, beautifully rendered by P. Jayachandran and S. Janaki with lyrics by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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