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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Ithu

From Thiruppu Munai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thiruppu Munai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………….....
Male
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Iravu edhuWhat is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood
Female
Ivalo ponnaana maadhuShe is a golden woman
Inaindhaai ippodhuYou joined now
Male :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhuMale: Upon the coral red lips
Parippor illadhuThere is no one to pluck
Female
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Male : Iravu edhuMale: What is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood
Chorus
…………………….....
Female
Netru ninaithuThinking of yesterday
Paarkka thudithu poothathuLonging to see, it bloomed
Niththam kaathu irunthuWaiting every single day
Sertha sugangal kettadhuThe accumulated pleasures were asked for
Male
Ilamaiyin kanavuThe dream of youth
Yen endrathuAsked why
Idhu oru pudhiyaThis is a new
Naal endrathuDay, it said
Female
Ival oru pudhiyaShe is a new
Poo endrathuFlower, it said
Idhazhinil ezhutha vaa endrathuCome write on the lips, it said
Male
Endraikko kettadhuAsked long ago
Alli thaa endruTo gather and give
Female :Kanni poo poothathuFemale: The virgin flower has bloomed
Kai thottaal nandruIt is good if touched by hand
Male :Alli thaan anaithuMale: Gathering and embracing
Kai thudithathuThe hand trembled with eagerness
Female
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Male :Iravu edhuMale: What is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood
Female
Ivalo ponnaana maadhuShe is a golden woman
Inaindhaai ippodhuYou joined now
Male :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhuMale: Upon the coral red lips
Parippor illadhuThere is no one to pluck
Female
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Male :Iravu edhuMale: What is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood
Chorus
……………………….....
Male
Maeni azhaithuThe body invites
Mogam koduthu mooduthuGiving passion, it covers
Muththam naalum valarththuFostering kisses daily
Dhaegam silirthu vaadudhuThe body shivers and wilts
Female
Paniyinil iniyaIn the dew, sweet
Paal ooruthuMilk flows
Parugidum pozhuthuWhen drinking it
Thaen ooruthuHoney flows
Male
Inimaiyil ilamai poraadudhuIn sweetness, youth struggles
Iru udal inaiya thaer oduthuAs two bodies unite, the chariot rolls
Female
Thottu thaan tholilaeTouching on the shoulder
Pattu poo polaeLike a silky flower
Male :Vittu thaa thaenilaeMale: Leave it in honey
Mottukkal melaeUpon the buds
Female :Katti thaan eduthuFemale: Embracing tightly
Kanda pothilaeWhen seen
Male
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Female :Iravu edhuFemale: What is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood
Male
Ivalo ponnaana maadhuShe is a golden woman
Inaindhaal ippodhuWhen joining now
Female :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhuFemale: Upon the coral red lips
Parippaar illadhuThere is no one to pluck
Male
Ilamai ithuThis is youth
Inaidhidum bothuWhen joining together
Female :Iravu edhuFemale: What is night?
Edhum puriyathuNothing is understood

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensuous duet explores the intoxication of youthful romance and intimate passion between lovers. The song describes how time and night lose all meaning when two souls and bodies unite in love, highlighting the overwhelming beauty and physical ecstasy of their togetherness. Through rich metaphors comparing lips to coral, touch to silk flowers, and intimacy to sweet milk and honey, the lyrics capture the anticipation, eagerness, and ecstasy of love. Written by Gangai Amaran, the song evokes a romantic fantasy filled with desire and tenderness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhu

Compares red lips directly to coral ('Pavalam sevvai') to heighten poetic imagery.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ilamai ithu / Inaidhidum bothu / Iravu edhu

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'I' across consecutive lines creating a melodic cadence.

Simile (Uvamai)

Pattu poo polae

Explicitly compares a soft touch to a silk flower using the comparative marker 'polae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thiruppu Munai is a 1989 Tamil action drama film starring Karthik and Kanaka, directed by Kalaivanan. The song features lyrics by Gangai Amaran and captures the signature sensuous romantic duet style prevalent in late 1980s Tamil cinema.

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