Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Koyil Ondru

From Janaki Sabatham · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Janaki Sabatham1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ilamai koyil ondruThere is a temple of youth,
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindranaWhere two lamps burn together,
Uravil therigindranaThey become visible in our bond,
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….And enter into my dreams....
Male
Ilamai koyil ondruThere is a temple of youth,
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindranaWhere two lamps burn together,
Uravil therigindranaThey become visible in our bond,
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….And enter into my dreams....
Male
Paalukku yaen kobamoWhy is the milk envious?
Kaaranam un thegamaeThe reason is the brightness of your body.
Female :Neeyoru sangeethamoFemale: Are you a musical melody?
Naanathil sugaraagamoA blissful ragam born of shyness?
Male
Naalukku oru paattuA new song every single day,
Nadakkattum isaipottuLet a musical competition take place!
Female :Kanavum ninaivum kaiyil varumFemale: Both dreams and reality will come into our hands.
Female
Ilamai koyil ondruThere is a temple of youth,
Irandae dheepangalJust two lamps,
Male :Irandum erigindranaMale: Both are burning together,
Uravil therigindranaThey become visible in our bond,
Enthan kanavil varugindranaAnd enter into my dreams.
Female
Koondhalai alaiyaakkungalLet your hair cascade like waves,
Koodalai suvaiyaakkungalMake our intimate union joyful.
Male :Kani vitta siru kolangalMale: Soft tender patterns blooming like ripe fruit,
En kaigalil uravaadungalMingle and play within my hands.
Female
Vaazhaikku pagaiyaanaAdorn the legs that surpass even a tender plantain stem in grace,
Kaalukku nagai pottuAdorn them with anklets,
Thodungal edungal sorkkam varum…Touch and embrace, and heaven shall arrive...
Male
Ilamai koyil ondruThere is a temple of youth,
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindranaWhere two lamps burn together,
Uravil therigindranaThey become visible in our bond,
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….And enter into my dreams....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film 'Janaki Sabatham' uses divine and natural imagery to celebrate youth, passion, and intimacy between lovers. The song metaphorically envisions youth as a sacred temple, with the lovers represented as two bright lamps burning in harmony within it. Through poetic exchanges, the couple admires each other's physical grace, comparing beauty to milk, music, ocean waves, and plantain stems. The lyrical tone set by Kannadasan blends romantic intimacy with sublime classical Tamil poetic metaphors, enhanced by V. Kumar's soulful composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Ilamai koyil ondru / Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindrana

Youth is poetically conceptualized as a sacred temple ('Ilamai koyil'), and the lovers or their souls are symbolized as two lamps ('dheepangal').

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Koondhalai alaiyaakkungal / Koodalai suvaiyaakkungal

Matching end rhymes 'alaiyaakkungal' and 'suvaiyaakkungal' enhance the rhythmic harmony in the line.

Uvamai (Simile / Hyperbole)

Vaazhaikku pagaiyaana / Kaalukku nagai pottu

The woman's legs are poetically compared to plantain stems (a classical Tamil poetic convention), suggesting supreme smoothness and beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Music director V. Kumar was known as 'Mellisai Maamani' and frequently collaborated with lyricist Kannadasan to create memorable melodies in the 1970s. The song features a duet between K. J. Yesudas and K. Swarna, highlighting delicate classical raga motifs.

Keep listening

More from Janaki Sabatham