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Isaimozhi
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Kaalam

From Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
18 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Lalalaalalaalaaa…
Lallalalaala laa laa
Laala laala laalaa
Laala laala laalaa…aaa
Laala laala laalaa
Ilamai kaalam engae
Endru thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal paada
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai kaalam engae
Endru thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal paada
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal pola
Pudhiya paadal illai
Pazhaiya paadal pola
Pudhiya paadal illai
Vayasu pona mullai
Vaadi pogavillai
{Pazhangkadhai podhum
Pasikkudhae pennae
Sammadham sonnaal
Thadai illai kannae} (2)
Meesai konjam vellai
Veru ondrum illai
Indha meesai konjam vellai
Veru ondrum illai
Andha kaala pillai
Aasai theera villai
Ilamai kaalam engae
Endru thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal paada
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
{Azhaithadhae mogam
Thaduthadhae naanam
Erindhadhae deepam
Ilamaikku laabam } (2)
Andru endhan nenjil
Anubavam illai
Indha kolam vandhum
Indru kooda thollai
Pazhaiya paadal pola
Pudhiya paadal illai
Pazhaiya paadal pola
Pudhiya paadal illai
Vayasu pona mullai
Vaadi pogavillai
Nilavilae vaazhndhom
Paniyilae serndhom
Sarithiram kettom
Thalaimurai paarthom
Andha kaala bandham
Azhindhu povadhillai
Andha kaala bandham
Azhindhu povadhillai
Nammai pola yaarum
Jodi serndhadhillai
Ilamai kaalam engae
Endru thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal paada
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai kaalam engae
Endru thirumbum ingae
Pazhaiya paadal paada
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
Ilamai thirumbum ingae
La la la la la la aa...
Lal la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la... aaa
La la la la la la
Where has our youth gone?
When will it return here?
When we sing an old song,
youth returns right here.
Youth returns right here.
Where has our youth gone?
When will it return here?
When we sing an old song,
youth returns right here.
Youth returns right here.
Like the old songs,
new songs are not the same.
Like the old songs,
new songs are not the same.
The jasmine may have aged,
but it has not withered.
Enough of old stories,
I feel hungry, my woman!
If you say yes,
there is no barrier, my dear!
The mustache is a little grey,
and nothing else has changed.
Only this mustache is a little grey,
and nothing else has changed.
For that boy from those days,
the desire has not faded!
Where has our youth gone?
When will it return here?
When we sing an old song,
youth returns right here.
Youth returns right here.
Desire called out,
modesty held us back,
the lamp kept burning,
a sweet gain for our youth!
Back then, in my heart,
there was no experience.
Even at this age,
you still tease me today!
Like the old songs,
new songs are not the same.
Like the old songs,
new songs are not the same.
The jasmine may have aged,
but it has not withered.
We lived under the moonlight,
we came together in the cool mist,
we listened to history,
we watched generations grow.
That bond from the old days
will never fade away.
That bond from the old days
will never fade away.
No couple in this world
has ever paired like us.
Where has our youth gone?
When will it return here?
When we sing an old song,
youth returns right here.
Youth returns right here.
Where has our youth gone?
When will it return here?
When we sing an old song,
youth returns right here.
Youth returns right here.
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This nostalgic and romantic song from 'Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu' explores how true love and cherished memories transcend aging. The protagonist reflects on the passing of youth, realizing that music and shared affection have the magical ability to bring back the feeling of being young. Even as physical changes like graying hair occur, the passion and deep bond between the couple remain as vibrant as ever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vayasu pona mullai / Vaadi pogavillai”

Compares an elderly woman/romance to an aged jasmine flower ('Vayasu pona mullai') that still retains its beauty and fragrance without wilting ('Vaadi pogavillai').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Assonance)

“Nilavilae vaazhndhom / Paniyilae serndhom”

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in words across lines ('Nilavilae', 'Paniyilae').

Esubhu / Repetition (Anaphora)

“Ilamai thirumbum ingae”

Repetition of the phrase 'Ilamai thirumbum ingae' to reinforce the central theme of youth returning through music.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ilamai Kaalam Engae' was composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1986 film 'Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu', starring Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. Sung beautifully by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu, it remains a beloved duet celebrating mature love.

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From the same album

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