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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Naattiya

From Kalyanamam Kalyanam · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Kalyanamam Kalyanam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ilamai naatiya saalaiYouth is a dance hall
Iyarkkai poomagal cholaiNature, the flower goddess, is a garden
Ilamai naatiya saalaiYouth is a dance hall
Iyarkkai poomagal cholaiNature, the flower goddess, is a garden
Malargal yaavum manmatha kolamAll flowers are the artistry of Love
Mannil anantha raagamA joyful melody on earth
Female
Ilamai naatiya saalaiYouth is a dance hall
Iyarkkai poomagal cholaiNature, the flower goddess, is a garden
Malargal yaavum manmatha kolamAll flowers are the artistry of Love
Mannil anantha raagamA joyful melody on earth
Female
Neela nira sealaiyil vaanamThe sky is in a blue saree
Pachai nira sealaiyil bhoomiThe earth is in a green saree
Neela nira sealaiyil vaanamThe sky is in a blue saree
Pachai nira sealaiyil bhoomiThe earth is in a green saree
Nathigalin vannamThe colors of rivers
Nadamidum annamA dancing swan
Female
Ilamai naatiya saalaiYouth is a dance hall
Iyarkkai poomagal cholaiNature, the flower goddess, is a garden
Male
Hae….hae…. aa…..Hae... hae... aa...
Male
AaththangaraiyilOn the riverbank
Kaaththirunthaal mama angaeThe maternal uncle was waiting there
Aasa vachu odi vanthaa bamaWith desire, Bhama came running
Male
AaththangaraiyilOn the riverbank
Kaaththirunthaal mama angaeThe maternal uncle was waiting there
Aasa vachu odi vanthaa bamaWith desire, Bhama came running
Aadi maatha kaaththupolaLike the wind in the month of Aadi
Aadi paadum naaththu polaLike young crops dancing and singing
Kaalappaaththu mella mella vaammaaWatch your step and come slowly, dear
Chorus
AaththangaraiyilOn the riverbank
Kaaththirunthaal mama angaeThe maternal uncle was waiting there
Aasa vachu odi vanthaa bamaWith desire, Bhama came running
Male
Vaigai nathi perugi varaAs the Vaigai river swells
Vanna manal oornthu varaAs colorful sand crawls along
Oori vantha thanniyilaeIn the water that flowed in
Otti vantha katti muththuA solid pearl attached to it
Male
Vaigai nathi perugi varaAs the Vaigai river swells
Vanna manal oornthu varaAs colorful sand crawls along
Chorus :………………Chorus vocalization
Male :Oori vantha thanniyilaeMale: In the water that flowed in
Otti vantha katti muththuA solid pearl attached to it
Chorus :Otti vantha katti muththuChorus: A solid pearl attached to it
Male
Naalu pakkam kannirukku avalukkuShe has eyes looking on all four sides
Antha ragasiyaththil idamirukku avanukkuHe has a place in that secret
Chorus
AaththangaraiyilOn the riverbank
Kaaththirunthaal mama angaeThe maternal uncle was waiting there
Aasa vachu odi vanthaa bamaWith desire, Bhama came running
Male
Poomaraththai kulukki vittuShaking the flowering tree
Bhoomiyengum manakka vittuMaking the whole earth fragrant
Chorus :…………….Chorus vocalization
Male :Mamanukku thaen kodukkaMale: To give honey to her beloved uncle
Maanaipola odi vanthaaShe came running like a deer
Chorus :Maanaipola odi vanthaaChorus: She came running like a deer
Male :Thaen kudaaththai sumanthu varum chellakkaa….Male: Darling girl carrying a pot of honey...
Chorus
AaththangaraiyilOn the riverbank
Kaaththirunthaal mama angaeThe maternal uncle was waiting there
Aasa vachu odi vanthaa bamaWith desire, Bhama came running
Aadi maatha kaaththupolaLike the wind in the month of Aadi
Aadi paadum naaththu polaLike young crops dancing and singing
Male :Kaalappaaththu mella mella vaammaa…..Male: Watch your step and come slowly, dear...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ilamai Naatiya Saalai from Kalyanamam Kalyanam (1974) is a joyful romantic song celebrating youth, nature, and courtship. The lyrics personify nature as a flower goddess, describing the blue sky and green earth as draped sarees, and setting a poetic stage where youth itself becomes a hall of dance and joy. The song narrates a romantic meeting on a riverbank between lovers, comparing the young maiden to a swift deer and dancing crops, while her lover playfully cautions her to watch her step. Kannadasan masterfully blends high-poetic Tamil imagery with rural folk-style romance, capturing the exuberance of budding love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Neela nira sealaiyil vaanam / Pachai nira sealaiyil bhoomi

The sky and earth are metaphorically visualised as draped in blue and green sarees respectively.

Simile (Uvamai)

Aadi maatha kaaththupola

The maiden's energetic movement is compared to the forceful wind of the Tamil month of Aadi.

Simile (Uvamai)

Maanaipola odi vanthaa

The woman running towards her lover is compared to a graceful, swift deer.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ilamai naatiya saalai / Iyarkkai poomagal cholai

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('I') creating poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. Vijaya Baskar with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track features the iconic duet voices of T. M. Soundararajan and S. Janaki. The film Kalyanamam Kalyanam stars Jaishankar and Jayachitra, and this song remains a classic example of 1970s Tamil film music combining pastoral folk narrative with poetic imagery.

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