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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Raja Gopura

From Taxi Driver · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Taxi Driver
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Mazhai moodum aippasi megam pani thuli alla
Mazhai moodum aippasi megam pani thuli alla
Pongum nilavu pothigai thendral
Mangai pallaandu vaazhga vaazhga
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Vairam amarvathu thangaththun meedhu
Maadhvan thunaithaan thirumagal maathu
Mangaiyin azhagukku inai ondru yaedhu
Manmathanae kandu mayangidum pothu
Maanikka veenaiyil aayiram raagam
Vaasikka povathu yaaro evaro
Kaanikkai thanthathu yaezhaiyin karangal
Kadavul vaguththathu avaravar idangal
Chorus :Pongum nilavu pothigai thendral
Mangai pallaandu vaazhga vaazhga
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Mazhai moodum aippasi megam pani thuli alla
Kangal irandum karu vanna pookkal
Kaaviyam paadidum kaarmugil koondhal
Thennaiyilae oru perinba nadanam
Piranthaal adhuthaan jaadhiyin jananam
Kalangamillaa oru santhiravathani
Kavithaiyilae oru sowndharyalahari
Thennampaalai sennira vaazhai
Siriyavan sonnaen sonnavvan yaezhai
Chorus :Pongum nilavu pothigai thendral
Mangai pallaandu vaazhga vaazhga
Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla
Mazhai moodum aippasi megam pani thuli alla
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
This is a rain-bearing monsoon cloud, not a drop of dew.
This is a rain-bearing monsoon cloud, not a drop of dew.
Like the radiant moon and the gentle southern breeze,
May this lady live long and prosper!
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
A diamond belongs set upon gold,
Goddess Lakshmi is the true partner of Lord Vishnu,
What can match the beauty of this woman,
When even the god of love is enchanted by her?
There are a thousand melodies in this ruby veena,
Who will be the one to play it?
A poor man's hands have brought an offering,
For God has decided where each of us belongs.
Chorus: Like the radiant moon and the gentle southern breeze,
May this lady live long and prosper!
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
This is a rain-bearing monsoon cloud, not a drop of dew.
Both her eyes are dark, blooming flowers,
Her raincloud hair sings pure poetry,
A blissful dance like a swaying coconut palm,
Her birth is the very birth of grace and nobility.
A moon-faced beauty without a single blemish,
A wave of beauty flowing like poetry,
Like a tender coconut blossom and a reddish banana tree,
I, a humble man, said this—and I am only a poor man.
Chorus: Like the radiant moon and the gentle southern breeze,
May this lady live long and prosper!
This is the lamp atop a grand temple tower, not a simple clay lamp.
This is a rain-bearing monsoon cloud, not a drop of dew.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is an eloquent poetic tribute extolling the exalted beauty, purity, and nobility of a woman. Lyricist Kannadasan utilizes striking metaphors to elevate her stature—comparing her not to a humble oil lamp, but to the majestic beacon shining from a temple's spire, and not to a mere drop of dew, but to a generous monsoon cloud. The singer expresses profound admiration while humbly acknowledging his own modest status in comparison to her grandeur.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Idhu raja gopura deepam agal vilakku alla”

Compares the noble lady to a temple tower lamp ('Raja gopura deepam') and a monsoon rain cloud ('Aippasi megam') to signify high stature.

Hyperbole (Athisayokthi)

“Manmathanae kandu mayangidum pothu”

Exaggerates her allure by stating that even Manmatha (the God of Love) would be mesmerized by her beauty.

Alliteration and Rhyme (Edhugai / Monai)

“Kangal irandum karu vanna pookkal / Kaaviyam paadidum kaarmugil koondhal”

Employs classic Tamil poetic rhyming patterns such as 'Kangal' and 'Kaaviyam' or 'Thennampaalai' and 'Siriyavan'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1978 film Taxi Driver features a rare dual-vocal dynamic between legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB). MSV's raw, expressive voice juxtaposed with SPB's smooth, melodic tone created a memorable contrast that highlighted Kannadasan's classical Tamil lyrics.

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