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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamaikku Enna Vilai

From Pulan Visaranai · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pulan Visaranai1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ilamaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of youth?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Inimaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of sweetness?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Female
Ilamaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of youth?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Inimaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of sweetness?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Female
Ilamaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of youth?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Inimaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of sweetness?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Female
Aadai moodum dhegamooIs it the body draped in clothing,
Aasaiyodu paaduthuSinging with deep desire?
Aadi paadum thendralooIs it the dancing and singing breeze,
Alli anaikka theduthuSearching to hold and embrace tightly?
Chorus :Aadai moodum dhegamooChorus: Is it the body draped in clothing,
Aasaiyodu paaduthuSinging with deep desire?
Aadi paadum thendralooIs it the dancing and singing breeze,
Alli anaikka theduthuSearching to hold and embrace tightly?
Female :Poo endrum ponnae endrum paadathuFemale: It does not sing praising as a flower or gold,
Yedaethu ennam yedhu naadaedhuWhatever thoughts or whichever land,
Female
Ethanaiyoo aasaiSo many desires,
Methai virithaadumSpreading across the bed to play,
Ettu dhisai thedi katti vilaiyaadumSearching all eight directions to embrace and play,
Yaedho oru mogam dhinam valarudhuSome unknown passion grows daily,
Unai thodarum…………..Following you...
Female
Ilamaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of youth?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Inimaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of sweetness?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Female
Ilamaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of youth?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Inimaikku enna vilaiWhat is the price of sweetness?
Adhai yaar arivaarWho knows that?
Female
Kattazhagu maeniA beautifully sculpted body,
Kanni ival raaniThis young maiden is a queen,
Thottanaithu anaikakTo touch and embrace her,
Adhu yaarooWho is that person?
Kaatazhagan edhirae varuvaarooWill the handsome prince appear before her?
Kulirndha neerinil aadudhu dhegamThe body dances in the cool water,
Kodiyaandhu mogamPassion creeps like a climbing vine,
Female
Malarndha poo idhu paadudhu raagamThis bloomed flower sings a melody,
Marn pottadhu baanamCupid has shot his arrow,
Thithikkudhae sivandha paruvamaeThis blushing youthfulness tastes sweet,
Sillendrathae ivalin uruvamaeHer body feels cool and refreshing,
Thiraigal muludhum vilaga mayakkame…As all curtains lift, an intoxication sets in...
Female
Kattazhagu maeniA beautifully sculpted body,
Kanni ival raaniThis young maiden is a queen,
Thottanaithu anaikakTo touch and embrace her,
Adhu yaarooWho is that person?
Kaatazhagan edhirae varuvaarooWill the handsome prince appear before her?
Chorus
Humming………Humming...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ilamaikku Enna Vilai is an iconic, alluring track from the 1990 Tamil crime thriller film Pulan Visaranai. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, the song revolves around the themes of youth, beauty, and intimate yearning. The lyrics poetically question the price of youthfulness and sweetness, establishing that such moments of passion and vitality are priceless. Throughout the song, nature imagery—such as the dancing breeze, bloomed flowers, and cool waters—is juxtaposed with romantic longing as a young woman eagerly awaits her beloved. S. Janaki's expressive vocal delivery brings out the sensual and intoxicating nature of the composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaikku (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ilamaikku enna vilai / Inimaikku enna vilai

Repetition of initial vowel sound 'I' across consecutive lines (Ilamaikku / Inimaikku).

Anaphora (Repetitive Refrain)

Ilamaikku enna vilai / Adhai yaar arivaar

Repeated use of the refrain lines to emphasize the priceless nature of youth.

Personification

Aadi paadum thendraloo / Alli anaikka theduthu

Attributing human actions like dancing, singing, and seeking an embrace to the gentle breeze (thendral).

Metaphor

Malarndha poo idhu paadudhu raagam

Comparing the young woman in her prime to a fully bloomed flower singing a melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pulan Visaranai (1990), directed by R. K. Selvamani starring Vijayakanth, was one of the biggest blockbusters of the year inspired by real-life crime stories. The song featured famous dancer Disco Shanti in a memorable performance, with S. Janaki's vocal modulation and Ilaiyaraaja's rhythmic arrangement turning it into a popular romantic classic of the 1990s.

Keep listening

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