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Isaimozhi
Aaradhanai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ilam Pani Thuli

From Aaradhanai · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Radhika
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aaradhanai
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
6 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laalaalala laalaalala laalaa
Laalaalala laalaalala laalaa
Ilam pani thuli vizhum neram
Ilaigalil magarandha kolam
Thunai kili thedi thuditha padi
Thani kili ondru thavitha padi
Suda chuda nanaigindradhae…ae…ae…
Ilam pani thuli vizhum neram
Ilaigalil magarandha kolam
Aasai nadhi madai thirakkum
Baashai vandhu kadhavadaikkum
Kaayaadhu mana eerangal
Thaalaadhu sudu baarangal
Kaaviya kaadhalin dhegangalae
Oomaiyin kaadhalai pesungalae
Malargalum sudugindradhae
Thanana
Ilam pani thuli vizhum neram
Ilaigalil magarandha kolam
Paavai vizhi thuli vizhundhu
Poovin pani thuli nanaiyum
Theeyaagum oru thaen solai
Poraadum oru poo maalai
Sooriyakaanthigal aadiyadho
Sooriyanai adhu moodiyadho
Mugil vandhu mugam pothumo
Thanana
Ilam pani thuli vizhum neram
Ilaigalil magarandha kolam
Thunai kili thedi thuditha padi
Thani kili ondru thavitha padi
Suda chuda nanaigindradhae…ae..ae..
Laalaalala laalaalala laalaa
Laalaalala laalaalala laalaa
La la la la, la la la la, la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la
When tender drops of mist fall,
pollen weaves patterns on the leaves.
Restlessly searching for its mate,
a lonely parrot aches in longing,
getting drenched in warm tears...
When tender drops of mist fall,
pollen weaves patterns on the leaves.
The river of desire opens its gates,
yet words come and shut the door.
The moisture in the heart never dries,
the burning burdens are too heavy to bear.
O figures of legendary romance,
give voice to the love of one who is mute!
Even the flowers are burning...
Thanana...
When tender drops of mist fall,
pollen weaves patterns on the leaves.
As tears fall from the girl's eyes,
even the dewdrops on the flowers get drenched.
A sweet garden turns to fire,
a garland of flowers struggles in pain.
Did the sunflowers sway,
and did they blot out the sun?
Will a cloud come and cover its face?
Thanana...
When tender drops of mist fall,
pollen weaves patterns on the leaves.
Restlessly searching for its mate,
a lonely parrot aches in longing,
getting drenched in warm tears...
La la la la, la la la la, la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Ilam Pani Thuli Vizhum Neram' portrays a deeply poignant atmosphere where nature's gentle morning beauty contrasts sharply with the protagonist's inner emotional turmoil. The fall of cold dewdrops and decorative pollen patterns on leaves frame a backdrop of nature, while a solitary bird yearning for its partner symbolizes the anguish of separation and unfulfilled desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron

Suda chuda nanaigindradhae…ae…ae…

The phrase 'Suda chuda nanaigindradhae' pairs warmth/heat ('suda chuda') with getting drenched ('nanaigindradhae'), capturing the conflicting physical sensation of cold dew mixing with hot tears of passion.

Metaphor

Aasai nadhi madai thirakkum

'Aasai nadhi' compares overwhelming passion to a surging river breaking through sluice gates ('madai thirakkum').

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thunai kili thedi thuditha padi / Thani kili ondru thavitha padi

Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter matches across lines: 'Ilam' and 'Ilaigalil' or 'Thunai' and 'Thani'.

Imagery

Paavai vizhi thuli vizhundhu / Poovin pani thuli nanaiyum

Evocative visual contrast created between a maiden's falling teardrop and a flower's dewdrop.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1981 movie 'Aaradhanai', the song is celebrated for its lush orchestration and Vairamuthu's rich imagery blending natural elements like dewdrops and sunflowers with intimate romantic longing.

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