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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilakanam Maarudho

From Nizhal Nijamagiradhu · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nizhal Nijamagiradhu
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
13 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ilakkanam maarudho…
Hoo hoo oo oo
Ilakkanam maarudho
Ilakkiyam aanadho
Idhu varai nadithadhu
Adhu enna vaedam
Idhu enna paadam
Idhu varai nadithadhu
Adhu enna vaedam
Idhu enna paadam
Ilakkanam maarudho…
Hoo hoo oo oo
Kallaana mullai indrenna vaasam
Kaatraana raagam yaen indha gaanam
Ven maegam andru kaar maegam indru
Yaar solli thandhaar mazhai kaalam endru
Manmadhan enbavan kan thirandhaano
Penmai thandhaano
Ilakkanam maarudho…
Hoo hoo oo oo
En vaazhkkai nadhiyil
Karai ondru kanden
Un nenjil yaeno karai ondru kanden
En vaazhkkai nadhiyil
Karai ondru kanden
Un nenjil yaeno karai ondru kanden
Puriyaadhadhaalae thirai pottu vaithen
Thirai potta podhum anai pottadhillai
Maraithidum thirai thanai vilakki vaippaayo
Vilakki vaippaayo
Thallaadum pillai ullamum vellai
Thaalaattu paada aadhaaram illai
Dheivangal ellaam unakkaaga paadum
Paadaamal ponaal edhu dheivamaagum
Marubadi thirakkum unakkoru paadhai
Uraippadhu geedhai
Mani osai enna idi osai enna
Edhu vandha podhum nee kettadhillai
Nizhalaaga vandhu arul seiyum dheivam
Nijamaaga vandhu enai kaakka kanden
Nee edhu naan edhu yaen indha sondham
Poorva jenma bandham
Haa…aaa….aaa….haaa….aaa….
Haaa….aaa….haaa…aaa…
Ilakkanam maarudho
Ilakkiyam aanadho
Idhu varai nadithadhu
Adhu enna vaedam
Idhu enna paadam…
Is the grammar changing?
Ho ho o oo
Is the grammar changing?
Has it turned into poetry?
What was acted out until now,
what kind of role was that?
What kind of lesson is this?
What was acted out until now,
what kind of role was that?
What kind of lesson is this?
Is the grammar changing?
Ho ho o oo
A stone jasmine, why does it smell so sweet today?
A melody drifting like the wind, why this song?
A white cloud back then, a dark rain cloud today,
who told you that the rainy season is here?
Did Manmathan (the god of love) open his eyes?
Did he grant you womanhood?
Is the grammar changing?
Ho ho o oo
In the river of my life,
I found a shore.
Yet in your heart, why did I see a blemish?
In the river of my life,
I found a shore.
Yet in your heart, why did I see a blemish?
Because I did not understand, I drew a veil.
Even with a veil, I never built a dam.
Will you set aside the veil that conceals?
Will you set it aside?
A stumbling child whose heart is pure,
with no one to sing a lullaby...
All the gods will sing for you;
if they do not sing, how can they be gods?
A path will open for you once again;
so says the Gita.
What is the chime of a bell, what is the roar of thunder?
Whatever came, you never paid it any mind.
The God who blesses from the shadows,
I saw Him appear in truth to protect me.
Who are you, who am I, why this connection?
A bond from a past life.
Ha... aa... aa... ha... aa...
Ha... aa... ha... aa...
Is the grammar changing?
Has it turned into poetry?
What was acted out until now,
what kind of role was that?
What kind of lesson is this?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Ilakkanam Maarudho' expresses a profound emotional transformation between two individuals facing personal turmoils and unexpressed feelings. Through metaphorical questioning, the male and female characters explore how rigid self-imposed rules ('Ilakkanam' / grammar) are giving way to profound, poetic emotions ('Ilakkiyam' / literature). They reflect on past pretenses, personal flaws, hidden desires, and spiritual solace, ultimately finding a soul connection rooted in destiny and past births ('Poorva jenma bandham').

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Ilakkanam maarudho Ilakkiyam aanadho”

Comparing strict personal rules/discipline of life to 'grammar' (Ilakkanam) and blossoming romantic emotion to 'literature' (Ilakkiyam).

Pun / Double Entendre (Sledai)

“En vaazhkkai nadhiyil Karai ondru kanden / Un nenjil yaeno karai ondru kanden”

The word 'Karai' is used cleverly with two meanings: 'riverbank' (support/boundary) in the river of life, and 'stain/flaw' in the context of the heart.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Ven maegam andru kaar maegam indru”

Contrasting 'Ven maegam' (white/barren cloud) representing past emotional drought with 'Kaar maegam' (dark rain cloud) representing current emotional abundance.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Thallaadum pillai ullamum vellai / Thaalaattu paada aadhaaram illai”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Th' in 'Thallaadum' and 'Thaalaattu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in K. Balachander's classic film 'Nizhal Nijamagiradhu' (1978), this iconic duet was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan, and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam. The song is famed for Kannadasan's brilliant wordplay on the word 'Karai', which carries dual meanings suited to the complex dynamic between the characters played by Kamal Haasan and Sumithra.

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