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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Paal Vadiyum Mugam

From Anbulla Appa · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Anbulla Appa1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Idhu paal vadiyum mugamThis is a face overflowing with innocence.
Idhai paarppadhu thaan sugamLooking at it brings pure joy.
Idhu kanavaa unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Ada idhu thaan penmaiyaaAh, is this what true womanhood is?
Female
Idhu paal vadiyum mugamThis is a face overflowing with innocence.
Idhai paarppadhu thaan sugamLooking at it brings pure joy.
Idhu kanavaa unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Ada idhu thaan aanmaiyaaAh, is this what true manhood is?
Male
Aadaigal noolukku sondhamClothes belong to thread.
Aasaigal vaazhvukku sondhamDesires belong to life.
Female
Vaanukku chooriyan sondhamThe sun belongs to the sky.
Vaarthaigal baashaikku sondhamWords belong to language.
Male
Nee en sondhamYou belong to me.
Naan un sondhamI belong to you.
Female
Thandham yaanaikkuA tusk naturally belongs
Thaanae sondhamTo the elephant itself.
Male
Idhu paal vadiyum mugamThis is a face overflowing with innocence.
Idhai paarppadhu thaan sugamLooking at it brings pure joy.
Female :Idhu kanavaa unmaiyaaFemale: Is this a dream or reality?
Ada idhu thaan aanmaiyaaAh, is this what true manhood is?
Male
PonnukkuTo gold,
Nee niram thandhaaiYou gave its radiant color.
Poovukku punnagai thandhaaiTo the flower, you gave its smile.
Female
VeenaikkuTo the veena,
Naadhangal thandhaaiYou gave its musical melody.
En viralukku modhiram thandhaaiTo my finger, you gave a ring.
Male
Ennai thandhenI gave myself to you,
Unnai thandhaaiYou gave yourself to me.
Female
Kaadhal sorgangalHeavens of love,
Kannil thandhaaiYou placed in my eyes.
Male
Idhu paal vadiyum mugamThis is a face overflowing with innocence.
Idhai paarppadhu thaan sugamLooking at it brings pure joy.
Idhu kanavaa unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Ada idhu thaan penmaiyaaAh, is this what true womanhood is?
Female
Idhu paal vadiyum mugamThis is a face overflowing with innocence.
Idhai paarppadhu thaan sugamLooking at it brings pure joy.
Idhu kanavaa unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Ada idhu thaan aanmaiyaaAh, is this what true manhood is?
Male
Lala laalalalaa lalaaLa la laalalalaa lalaa
Female :Lala laalalalaa lalaaFemale: La la laalalalaa lalaa
Both :Lala laalaa laalalaaBoth: La la laalaa laalalaa
Lala laalaa laalalaa…La la laalaa laalalaa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Idhu Paal Vadiyum Mugam' from the movie Anbulla Appa (1987) is a romantic duet expressing deep affection, admiration, and mutual belonging between lovers. The song uses rich imagery to celebrate the innocence, beauty, and complementary nature of the couple, comparing their bond to natural and intrinsic relationships like thread to clothes, sun to the sky, and music to a veena. Written by lyricist Vairamuthu, the duet captures a tender realization of love, questioning whether such bliss is a dream or reality while honoring the concepts of manhood and womanhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Parallelism (Analogy)

Aadaigal noolukku sondham / Aasaigal vaazhvukku sondham

The song uses logical natural pairings (thread to clothes, sun to sky, words to language) to emphasize how natural and destined the lovers' relationship is.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nee en sondham / Naan un sondham

Repetition of the ending suffix '-sondham' across multiple consecutive lines creates a rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Idhu paal vadiyum mugam

'Paal vadiyum mugam' literally translates to 'milk-dripping face', which is a classic Tamil metaphor representing extreme innocence and purity.

Hyperbole (Uruvagam / Athi-aayam)

Ponnukku nee niram thandhaai / Poovukku punnagai thandhaai

Attributing the beauty of elements (color of gold, smile of flowers) directly to the beloved's presence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from 'Anbulla Appa' (1987), starring Shivaji Ganesan and Nadhiya. The track features music composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Keep listening

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