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Isaimozhi
Thiruppu Munai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Ithu

From Thiruppu Munai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thiruppu Munai
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
4 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………………..
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
Ivalo ponnaana maadhu
Inaindhaai ippodhu
Male :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhu
Parippor illadhu
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Male : Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
……………………..
Netru ninaithu
Paarkka thudithu poothathu
Niththam kaathu irunthu
Sertha sugangal kettadhu
Ilamaiyin kanavu
Yen endrathu
Idhu oru pudhiya
Naal endrathu
Ival oru pudhiya
Poo endrathu
Idhazhinil ezhutha vaa endrathu
Endraikko kettadhu
Alli thaa endru
Female :Kanni poo poothathu
Kai thottaal nandru
Male :Alli thaan anaithu
Kai thudithathu
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Male :Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
Ivalo ponnaana maadhu
Inaindhaai ippodhu
Male :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhu
Parippor illadhu
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Male :Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
………………………..
Maeni azhaithu
Mogam koduthu mooduthu
Muththam naalum valarththu
Dhaegam silirthu vaadudhu
Paniyinil iniya
Paal ooruthu
Parugidum pozhuthu
Thaen ooruthu
Inimaiyil ilamai poraadudhu
Iru udal inaiya thaer oduthu
Thottu thaan tholilae
Pattu poo polae
Male :Vittu thaa thaenilae
Mottukkal melae
Female :Katti thaan eduthu
Kanda pothilae
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Female :Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
Ivalo ponnaana maadhu
Inaindhaal ippodhu
Female :Pavalam sevvaiyin meedhu
Parippaar illadhu
Ilamai ithu
Inaidhidum bothu
Female :Iravu edhu
Edhum puriyathu
...
When this youth
comes together in union,
what is night?
Nothing can be understood.
She is a golden woman,
and you have joined together now.
Male: On her red coral lips,
with no one to pluck them...
When this youth
comes together in union,
Male: What is night?
Nothing can be understood.
...
Remembering yesterday,
it bloomed, longing to see.
Constantly waiting,
it asked for the pleasures saved up.
The dream of youth
asked, "Why?"
It said, "This is a new
day."
It said, "She is a fresh
flower."
It said, "Come write upon her lips."
What was asked long ago:
"Gather it all and give it to me."
Female: The young flower has bloomed;
it is sweet if a gentle hand touches it.
Male: To gather and hold you tight,
my hands trembled with longing.
When this youth
comes together in union,
Male: What is night?
Nothing can be understood.
She is a golden woman,
and you have joined together now.
Male: On her red coral lips,
with no one to pluck them...
When this youth
comes together in union,
Male: What is night?
Nothing can be understood.
...
The body calls out,
stirring desire and wrapping us close.
Growing kisses day after day,
the body shivers and aches with longing.
In the cool dew, sweet
milk wells up,
and when it is tasted,
honey flows forth.
In sweetness, youth struggles in delight.
A chariot rides as two bodies unite.
Touching softly on the shoulders,
like a silken flower...
Male: Let it pour into the honey,
over the tender buds.
Female: Holding each other tight,
in the intoxication of the moment.
When this youth
comes together in union,
Female: What is night?
Nothing can be understood.
She is a golden woman,
now that you have joined together.
Female: On her red coral lips,
with no one to pluck them...
When this youth
comes together in union,
Female: What is night?
Nothing can be understood.
Chorus
Male
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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