Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamai Ullam

From Paadum Paravaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paadum Paravaigal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pappa gaa pappa gaaPa Pa Ga, Pa Pa Ga (Musical swaras)
Female : Pappa gaaFemale: Pa Pa Ga
Female : Pappa gaaFemale: Pa Pa Ga
Female
Pappa gaa pasaa pappa gaa pasaaPa Pa Ga Pa Sa, Pa Pa Ga Pa Sa
Female
Ilamai ullam isaiyil thullumThe youthful heart leaps in music
Sasamaa… niniree…Sa Sa Ma... Ni Ni Ri...
Sasamaa ninireeSa Sa Ma Ni Ni Ri
GagagaaGa Ga Ga
MamamaaMa Ma Ma
Sasasaa …sasasaa… sasasaaSa Sa Sa... Sa Sa Sa... Sa Sa Sa
Female
Ilamai ullam isaiyil thullumThe youthful heart leaps in music
Idhu thaan suramaaIs this the musical note?
Enakkum varumaaWill it come to me as well?
Sugamaai… suramaai… padhamaaiPleasantly... musically... rhythmically
Idhamae …tharuvaaiPlease grant me comfort
Female
Kokila geethamThe song of the cuckoo
Thumbiyin raagamThe melody of the dragonfly
Kokila geethamThe song of the cuckoo
Thumbiyin raagamThe melody of the dragonfly
Sala salavendrae sila gaanamSome songs sounding like rustling water
Kulikkindra paravai isai paadumBathing birds sing music
Female
Adadae aaaa…Oh my... Ah...
Aaaaa…Ah...
Aaaaa…Ah...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah...
Haaa… aa… aa… aa…Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah...
Female
Vaanam paadum raaga baashaiThe sky sings in the language of ragas
Melum ketka nenjil aasaiMy heart desires to listen to more
Anbae…. mainaaMy love... my maina bird
Neeyae…. naanaaIs it you... or is it me?
Sura varam tharum paravaigalBirds that bestow musical notes
Ival madi thanil varumoWill they come sit on her lap?
Female
Sasa sasaa…Sa Sa Sa Sa...
Dhadha dhadhaa…Dha Dha Dha Dha...
Papa papaaPa Pa Pa Pa
Riri riree ..nini ninee… sasa sasaa…Ri Ri Ri Ri... Ni Ni Ni Ni... Sa Sa Sa Sa...
Riri riree… nini ninee… sasa sasaa…Ri Ri Ri Ri... Ni Ni Ni Ni... Sa Sa Sa Sa...
Female
Kiliyae kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot
Padhungida vendaamThere is no need to hide
Uravo pirivoBe it togetherness or separation
Odhungida vendaamThere is no need to draw back
Paadum paravaiThe singing bird
Parandhadhum yenoWhy did it fly away?
Thalaivan azhaithaalIf the beloved calls
Thayangudhal yenoWhy hesitate?
Female
Kiliyae kiliyaeLittle parrot, little parrot
Padhungida vendaamThere is no need to hide
Thalaivan azhaithaalIf the beloved calls
Thayangida vendaamThere is no need to hesitate
Sasa sasaa…Sa Sa Sa Sa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Paadum Paravaigal