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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Koyil Ondru

From Janaki Sabatham · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Janaki Sabatham
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
11 Sept 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ilamai koyil ondru
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindrana
Uravil therigindrana
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….
Ilamai koyil ondru
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindrana
Uravil therigindrana
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….
Paalukku yaen kobamo
Kaaranam un thegamae
Female :Neeyoru sangeethamo
Naanathil sugaraagamo
Naalukku oru paattu
Nadakkattum isaipottu
Female :Kanavum ninaivum kaiyil varum
Ilamai koyil ondru
Irandae dheepangal
Male :Irandum erigindrana
Uravil therigindrana
Enthan kanavil varugindrana
Koondhalai alaiyaakkungal
Koodalai suvaiyaakkungal
Male :Kani vitta siru kolangal
En kaigalil uravaadungal
Vaazhaikku pagaiyaana
Kaalukku nagai pottu
Thodungal edungal sorkkam varum…
Ilamai koyil ondru
Irandae dheepangal irandum erigindrana
Uravil therigindrana
Enthan kanavil varugindrana….
A temple of youth,
Just two lamps, and both are glowing,
They shine in our closeness,
And come alive in my dreams...
A temple of youth,
Just two lamps, and both are glowing,
They shine in our closeness,
And come alive in my dreams...
Why is the milk boiling with envy?
The reason is your glowing body.
Female: Are you a sweet piece of music,
A melody born of shyness?
A new song for every single day,
Let this contest of music begin.
Female: Dreams and thoughts will fall right into our hands.
A temple of youth,
Just two lamps,
Male: Both are glowing,
They shine in our closeness,
And come alive in my dreams.
Let your hair flow like gentle waves,
Make our union sweet and tender.
Male: Like delicate patterns left by sweet fruit,
Play lovingly within my hands.
Rivaling the smooth plantain stem,
Put pretty jewels on those legs,
Touch me and hold me, heaven will be ours...
A temple of youth,
Just two lamps, and both are glowing,
They shine in our closeness,
And come alive in my dreams...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

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From the same album

More songs from Janaki Sabatham

View album
Unnai Nenaicha Inikkuthu1976
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Thanga Mugathil Kungumam1976
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