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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ila Maalai Nilave Idhu

From Yemaatrathe Yemaarathe · 1985

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Yemaatrathe Yemaarathe1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ila malai nilavaeO young evening moon,
Idhu poovo mugamoIs this a flower or a face?
Iru kaalgal radhamoAre these two legs a chariot?
Adhil kaaman kanavoIs there a dream of Kamadeva (god of love) in it?
Oru raasathi pudhu rosapooA princess, a fresh rose flower,
Aasai kiliyai anaichadhumWhen embracing the beloved parrot,
KadhakadhapooA cozy warmth unfolds.
Male
Ila malai nilavaeO young evening moon,
Idhu poovo mugamoIs this a flower or a face?
Iru kaalgal radhamoAre these two legs a chariot?
Adhil kaaman kanavoIs there a dream of Kamadeva in it?
Oru raasathi pudhu rosapooA princess, a fresh rose flower,
Aasai kiliyai anaichadhumWhen embracing the beloved parrot,
KadhakadhapooA cozy warmth unfolds.
Chorus
…………….....
Chorus
Darling…lalalalalaDarling... lalalalala
Male :Darling azhagiya teenageMale: Darling, beautiful teenage years,
Chorus :Baby…lalalalalaChorus: Baby... lalalalala
Male :Baby dhinam varum collegeMale: Baby who goes to college daily,
Chorus :Paavai…lalalalalaChorus: Maiden... lalalalala
Female :Paavai honeymoon thedaFemale: Maiden searching for a honeymoon,
Chorus :Naalum…lalalalalaChorus: Every day... lalalalala
Female :Naalum mudhal iravaagaFemale: May every day become a nuptial night.
Male
{Mayilae aadum{The peacock dances,
Mannan thozhil varumaeComing onto the king's shoulder,
Kuyilae solaiO cuckoo, in the grove,
Thendral kaatru pugumae} (2)The southern breeze enters} (2)
Male
Ila malai nilavaeO young evening moon,
Idhu poovo mugamoIs this a flower or a face?
Iru kaalgal radhamoAre these two legs a chariot?
Adhil kaaman kanavoIs there a dream of Kamadeva in it?
Oru raasathi pudhu rosapooA princess, a fresh rose flower,
Aasai kiliyai anaichadhumWhen embracing the beloved parrot,
KadhakadhapooA cozy warmth unfolds.
Chorus
Maalai ..lalalalalaEvening... lalalalala
Male :Maalai sugam tharum velaiMale: Evening is the time that gives pleasure,
Chorus :Dhegam…lalalalalaChorus: Body... lalalalala
Male :Dhegam adhisaya porvaiMale: The body is a miraculous blanket,
Chorus :Mogam…lalalalalaChorus: Passion... lalalalala
Female :Mogam ilamaiyin dhegamFemale: Passion in the body of youth,
Chorus :Kaalam…lalalalalaChorus: Time... lalalalala
Female :Kaalam adhil oru jalamFemale: Time is a magic trick within it.
Male
{Argue vaa vaa{Come close, come close,
Ennai neeyae thodavaTouch me yourself,
Azhagae thaenaeO beauty, O honey,
Nenjil aadum kaniyae} (2)Sweet fruit dancing in the heart} (2)
Male
Ila malai nilavaeO young evening moon,
Idhu poovo mugamoIs this a flower or a face?
Iru kaalgal radhamoAre these two legs a chariot?
Adhil kaaman kanavoIs there a dream of Kamadeva in it?
Oru raasathi pudhu rosapooA princess, a fresh rose flower,
Aasai kiliyai anaichadhumWhen embracing the beloved parrot,
KadhakadhapooA cozy warmth unfolds.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ila Malai Nilave' is a romantic duet from the 1985 movie 'Yemaatrathe Yemaarathe', featuring playful and passionate dialogue between two lovers. The lyrics utilize rich Tamil imagery—comparing the beloved's features to nature, flowers, and the evening moon—to convey intimacy, youthful desire, and the joy of romantic togetherness. Through energetic call-and-response lines with the chorus and catchy English loan words popular in 1980s Tamil cinema lyrics (like 'teenage', 'college', 'honeymoon'), the song captures a modern yet deeply lyrical celebration of young love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai / Metaphor

Idhu poovo mugamo / Iru kaalgal radhamo

Comparing the female lead's physical features to flowers, chariots, and a wondrous blanket.

Iyaibu / End Rhyme

Idhu poovo mugamo / Iru kaalgal radhamo / Adhil kaaman kanavo

Rhyming word endings creating a rhythmic flow across lines (e.g., mugamo, radhamo, kanavo).

Uruvagaim / Personification

Thendral kaatru pugumae

Personifying evening, time, and breeze entering the grove as active participants in romantic intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by Na. Kamarasan, this track represents the vibrant mid-1980s trend in Tamil film music where traditional poetic metaphors were combined with contemporary Western pop-style chorus chants ('lalalalala') and English loanwords.

Keep listening

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