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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhudhaan Vazhkai Enbadha

From Pudhiya Mugam · 1993

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Unni Menon, Sujatha
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Pudhiya Mugam1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naetru illaadha maatram ennadhuWhat is this change that was not there yesterday?
Kaatru en kaadhil yedho sonnadhuThe wind whispered something in my ear.
Idhu thaan vaazhkai enbadhaIs this what life is?
Vidhiyin vetkai enbadhaIs this the yearning of destiny?
Sadhiyin serkai enbadhaIs this a conspiracy of circumstances?
Sol manamae..Tell me, my heart..
Male
Naetru illaadha maatram ennadhuWhat is this change that was not there yesterday?
Kaatru en kaadhil yedho sonnadhuThe wind whispered something in my ear.
Idhu thaan vaazhkai enbadhaIs this what life is?
Vidhiyin vetkai enbadhaIs this the yearning of destiny?
Sadhiyin serkai enbadhaIs this a conspiracy of circumstances?
Sol manamae..Tell me, my heart..
Male
Kodiyin pookkal ellaamAll the flowers on a vine...
Kaambu thaangum varai...last only as long as the stem holds them.
Koondhal pookkal ellaamAll the flowers adorning hair...
Uravu vaazhum varai...last as long as the bond lives.
Kaadhal ninaivondru thaanaeYet the memory of love alone...
Kaattru theerum varai...lasts until the wind itself ceases.
Male
Mazhayin payanam ellaamThe entire journey of rain...
Mannai theendum varai...is until it touches the earth.
Padagin payanam ellaamThe entire journey of a boat...
Karaiyai thaandum varai...is until it reaches the shore.
Manidhar payanangal ellaamAll journeys of human beings...
Vaazhkai theerum varai...are until life comes to an end.
Male
Naetru illaadha maatram ennadhuWhat is this change that was not there yesterday?
Kaatru en kaadhil yedho sonnadhuThe wind whispered something in my ear.
Idhu thaan vaazhkai enbadhaIs this what life is?
Vidhiyin vetkai enbadhaIs this the yearning of destiny?
Sadhiyin serkai enbadhaIs this a conspiracy of circumstances?
Sol manamae..Tell me, my heart..
Male
Kaattru vazhi povadhaiWhich way the wind blew...
Naattru solgindradhu...the young sapling reveals.
Naettru mazhai peidhadhaiThat it rained yesterday...
Eeram solgindradhu...the lingering moisture tells.
Kannil vazhigindra kanneerThe tears flowing from the eyes...
Kaadhal solgindradhu...speak of the love within.
Male
Ilaigal vizhundhaalumaeEven if the leaves fall...
Kilaiyil thulir ulladhu...a fresh shoot sprouts on the branch.
Iravu theerndhaalumaeEven if the night ends...
Innum nilavulladhu...the moon still lingers.
Paadhi uyir pona podhumEven if half of one's soul is gone...
Meedhi vaazhvulladhu...the remainder of life still awaits.
Male
Naetru illaadha maatram ennadhuWhat is this change that was not there yesterday?
Kaatru en kaadhil yedho sonnadhuThe wind whispered something in my ear.
Idhu thaan vaazhkai enbadhaIs this what life is?
Vidhiyin vetkai enbadhaIs this the yearning of destiny?
Sadhiyin serkai enbadhaIs this a conspiracy of circumstances?
Sol manamae..Tell me, my heart..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naetru Illaadha Maatram from the 1993 film Pudhiya Mugam is a deeply evocative philosophical song exploring the sudden emotional shift brought about by love and fate. The protagonist contemplates whether this new feeling is a gift of life, a desire of destiny, or a twist of fate, addressing their own heart in wonder.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kaattru vazhi povadhai / Naattru solgindradhu / Naettru mazhai peidhadhai

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythmic flow, as seen in Kaattru, Naattru, and Naettru.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vidhiyin vetkai enbadha / Sadhiyin serkai enbadha

Repetition of ending sounds across lines ('enbadha') to reinforce questioning.

Metaphor & Imagery

Ilaigal vizhundhaalumae kilaiyil thulir ulladhu

Using natural elements like saplings, moisture, and sprouting branches to represent memory, loss, and hope.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for the movie Pudhiya Mugam (1993), this song was sung by Sujatha Rangarajan and Unni Menon with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The soundtrack remains one of Rahman's earliest critically acclaimed works.

Keep listening

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