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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Margazhi Velai

From Elan Kandru · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Elan Kandru1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelaiThis is the cold season of Margazhi, but here it is Cupid's playful game.
Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelaiThis is the cold season of Margazhi, but here it is Cupid's playful game.
Oru paarvai paarththaal vaervai ooruthae hoiJust one look from you makes sweat spring forth, oh my!
Ada mogam endrum niyaayam paarkkaathae haaAh, lust never looks at justice or rightfulness, ha!
Female
Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelaiThis is the cold season of Margazhi, but here it is Cupid's playful game.
Oru paarvai paarththaal vaervai ooruthaeJust one look from you makes sweat spring forth.
Ada mogam endrum niyaayam paarkkaathae hoi…Ah, lust never looks at justice or rightfulness, oh my!
Male
Hae….hae….hae….ennenna…..jaalangalHae... hae... hae... what magical tricks are these!
En kangal kaanaatha kolangalPatterns and visions that my eyes have never seen before.
Female
Oo…oo…oo….dharmangal….thaandungalOo... oo... oo... cross the boundaries of righteousness!
Naerangal ellaamae niyaayangalAll times and moments are fair and justified.
Male
Sundu viralthaan pattathuJust the touch of a pinky finger,
Intha manaso kettathu……vaa vaa pothaathu….And this heart has turned bad... come, come, this isn't enough...
Female
Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelaiThis is the cold season of Margazhi, but here it is Cupid's playful game.
Male :Oru paarvai paarththaal vaervai ooruthaeMale: Just one look from you makes sweat spring forth.
Female :Ada mogam endrum niyaayam paarkkaathae hoi…Female: Ah, lust never looks at justice or rightfulness, oh my!
Female
Hae….hae….hae….thaagangal….theeraaathoHae... hae... hae... will these thirsts not be quenched?
Theenaaru paalaaraai maaraathoWill a river of fire not transform into a river of milk?
Male
Oo….oo….oo….poo manjam….thaedaathoOo... oo... oo... will it not search for a bed of flowers?
Pen koonthal paayondru podaathoWill a woman's hair not lay out a mat for love?
Female
Ennai izhanthaen manmathaaI have lost myself, oh Lord of Love (Manmatha)!
Innum ulagam ullathaa vaazhkkai vaaraatha…aa….Does the world still exist? Will life not return to me?
Female
Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelaiThis is the cold season of Margazhi, but here it is Cupid's playful game.
Male :Oru paarvai paarththaal vaervai ooruthae hoiMale: Just one look from you makes sweat spring forth, oh my!
Female :Ada mogam endrum niyaayam paarkkaathae haa…Female: Ah, lust never looks at justice or rightfulness, ha...
Male
{Idhu maargazhi vaelai{This is the cold season of Margazhi,
Female :Idhu maargazhi vaelaiFemale: This is the cold season of Margazhi,
Male :Ingu manmatha leelaiMale: Here it is Cupid's playful game,
Female :Ingu manmatha leelai} (2)Female: Here it is Cupid's playful game} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Idhu maargazhi vaelai' expresses intense romantic passion set against the backdrop of the chilly winter month of Margazhi (December-January). The lovers describe how their intense desire overrides the cool climate, creating a heated atmosphere filled with the playful influence of Manmatha, the god of love. The lyrics emphasize that passionate attraction disregards formal rules, moral boundaries, or traditional norms. Through poetic imagery of physical touch, longing, and sweet surrender, lyricist Vairamuthu captures the intoxicating rush of love. Metaphors like a river of fire turning into milk and a hair mat serving as a bed illustrate the overwhelming nature of their mutual attraction and complete immersion in romantic intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaibhabam / Alliteration

Oru paarvai paarththaal vaervai ooruthae hoi

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('paarvai', 'paarththaal') creates a rhythmic, melodic flow in the line.

Iyaibu / Rhyming

Idhu maargazhi vaelai ingu manmatha leelai

Internal rhyming of 'vaelai' and 'leelai' at the end of clauses adds musicality.

Uruvagamm / Metaphor

Theenaaru paalaaraai maaraatho

'Theenaaru' (river of fire) transforming into 'paalaaru' (river of milk) symbolically represents intense burning passion being satisfied and turned into soothing joy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1985 film 'Elan Kandru', this track showcases lyricist Vairamuthu's quintessential poetic style of contrasting weather elements (the chill of Margazhi) with human warmth and passionate love.

Keep listening

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