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Isaimozhi
Paadum Paravaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Ullam

From Paadum Paravaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paadum Paravaigal
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
6 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pappa gaa pappa gaa
Female : Pappa gaa
Female : Pappa gaa
Pappa gaa pasaa pappa gaa pasaa
Ilamai ullam isaiyil thullum
Sasamaa… niniree…
Sasamaa niniree
Gagagaa
Mamamaa
Sasasaa …sasasaa… sasasaa
Ilamai ullam isaiyil thullum
Idhu thaan suramaa
Enakkum varumaa
Sugamaai… suramaai… padhamaai
Idhamae …tharuvaai
Kokila geetham
Thumbiyin raagam
Kokila geetham
Thumbiyin raagam
Sala salavendrae sila gaanam
Kulikkindra paravai isai paadum
Adadae aaaa…
Aaaaa…
Aaaaa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Haaa… aa… aa… aa…
Vaanam paadum raaga baashai
Melum ketka nenjil aasai
Anbae…. mainaa
Neeyae…. naanaa
Sura varam tharum paravaigal
Ival madi thanil varumo
Sasa sasaa…
Dhadha dhadhaa…
Papa papaa
Riri riree ..nini ninee… sasa sasaa…
Riri riree… nini ninee… sasa sasaa…
Kiliyae kiliyae
Padhungida vendaam
Uravo pirivo
Odhungida vendaam
Paadum paravai
Parandhadhum yeno
Thalaivan azhaithaal
Thayangudhal yeno
Kiliyae kiliyae
Padhungida vendaam
Thalaivan azhaithaal
Thayangida vendaam
Sasa sasaa…
Pa pa ga, pa pa ga
Pa pa ga
Pa pa ga
Pa pa ga pa sa, pa pa ga pa sa
A youthful heart leaps with music
Sa sa ma... ni ni ree...
Sa sa ma, ni ni ree
Ga ga ga
Ma ma ma
Sa sa sa... sa sa sa... sa sa sa
A youthful heart leaps with music
Is this what a musical note is?
Will I be able to sing it too?
So soothing... so melodic... so gentle...
Bring me sweet comfort
The song of the cuckoo
The melody of the dragonfly
The song of the cuckoo
The melody of the dragonfly
Some songs ripple like flowing water
A bathing bird sings a tune
Oh my, aah...
Aaaa...
Aaaa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Haa... aa... aa... aa...
The melodic language sung by the sky
My heart longs to hear more of it
My dear... myna bird
Are you... me?
Will the birds that bless us with sweet notes
come rest in my lap?
Sa sa sa sa...
Dha dha dha dha...
Pa pa pa pa
Ree ree ri ree... ni ni ni nee... sa sa sa sa...
Ree ree ri ree... ni ni ni nee... sa sa sa sa...
Little parrot, little parrot
There is no need to hide
Whether in closeness or separation
There is no need to stay away
The singing bird...
Why did it fly away?
When your beloved calls,
why do you hesitate?
Little parrot, little parrot
There is no need to hide
When your beloved calls,
Do not hesitate
Sa sa sa sa...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song celebrates the youthful delight of discovering music through nature and emotion. The lyrics weave classical solfege swaras (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) seamlessly with thematic descriptions of cuckoo calls, buzzing dragonflies, and flowing water. It depicts a young woman marveling at nature's effortless melodies, wondering if she too can capture such perfection, while addressing her companion and her beloved with tender longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)

Sala salavendrae sila gaanam

'Sala salavendrae' mimics the natural sound of running water, creating an auditory imagery of nature's music.

Swarakshara

Sura varam tharum paravaigal

Using musical swaras (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) directly as poetic lyrics, blending musical structure with linguistic aesthetics.

Rhyme (Edhukai)

Thalaivan azhaithaal / Thayangudhal yeno

The second letter sound agreement between 'Kiliyae' and 'Padhungida' / 'Thalaivan' and 'Thayangudhal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Paadum Paravaigal' (1985) showcases Vairamuthu's creative skill in integrating Carnatic swaras directly into lyrical lines, turning raw solfege into a poetic dialogue between human emotions and bird calls.

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