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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilamayin Kaatil

From Om · 2018

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Sathya Prakash, Vaishali
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Details
Om2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aaaa…aaa….aaaa….Aaa….aaaa…aaa….aaaa….
Aaa….aaaa…aaa….aaaa….haaa…aaa…Aaa….aaaa…aaa….aaaa….haaa…aaa…
Male
Ilamayin kaatilIn the forest of youth
Mudhumayin moongilThe bamboo of old age
Isaikindra paatuThe song playing
KetkirathaaCan you hear it?
Female
Alai kadal polaLike an ocean with waves
Anubhavam modhiExperience hits and crashes
Idhayathil saaralDrizzle in the heart
AdikirathaaIs it showering?
Male
Nadhigalil vilunthaThe leaves that fell
Ilai elaamInto the rivers
Nadhi vazhi sellumAre just boats going
Padagu thaanAlong the path of the river
Female
Vidhi vazhiBy the path of destiny
Inaindhu thirigiromWe wander together
Parakkavae vendumTo fly high
Siragu thaanWe need wings
Male
Kaatrodu mella kai korthuGently holding hands with the wind
Pala kadhai pesi naam nadakalaamWe can walk talking about many stories
Male
Ilamayin kaatilIn the forest of youth
Mudhumayin moongilThe bamboo of old age
Isaikindra paatuThe song playing
KetkirathaaCan you hear it?
Female
Alai kadal polaLike an ocean with waves
Anubhavam modhiExperience hits and crashes
Idhayathil saaralDrizzle in the heart
AdikirathaaIs it showering?
Female
Oh yaar ivan endruOh, who is he?
Yaar ival endruWho is she?
Thoorathil paravai paarkirathaeThe bird in the distance watches
Female
Oh baarangal yaavumOh, as all burdens
Thooramaai odaRun far away
Eeramaai kangal thulirkirathaeTears glisten moistly in the eyes
Male
Ada netru adhuAh, yesterday
Odi ponathaeHas run away
Varum naalai engeyo ullathaeThe coming tomorrow lies somewhere ahead
Male
Intha nimidamThis moment
Nam kaiyil ullathaeIs in our hands
Kondaada ul nenjam solluthaeThe inner heart says to celebrate
Male
Ilamayin kaatilIn the forest of youth
Mudhumayin moongilThe bamboo of old age
Isaikindra paatuThe song playing
KetkirathaaCan you hear it?
Female
Alai kadal polaLike an ocean with waves
Anubhavam modhiExperience hits and crashes
Idhayathil saaralDrizzle in the heart
AdikirathaaIs it showering?
Male
Ohoo nee oru payaniOhoo, you are a traveler
Naan oru payaniI am a traveler
Padhaiyo romba neendadhadiThe path is very long, my dear
Male
Ohoo nee oru kanavuOhoo, you are a dream
Naan oru kanavuI am a dream
Kangalo nammai vendudhadiThe eyes crave us
Female
Siru poovil paniyaagaLike dew on a small flower
IrukalaamWe can be
Kadum veyilil karinthaalumEven if melted away in harsh heat
SirikalaamWe can smile
Female
Nam inba thunbangalOur joys and sorrows
MarakalaamWe can forget
Adiyodu veraaga pirakalaamWe can be born again from the root

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from the movie 'Om', penned by Na. Muthu Kumar, reflects deeply on life's journey, destiny, aging, and the transience of time. The lyrics draw rich metaphors from nature, comparing youth to a forest, old age to musical bamboo, and human life to leaves floating helplessly along a river's natural course. It conveys a poignant message that humans are merely travelers on a long road, urging us to embrace the present moment, let go of past burdens, and smile through both hardships and joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Ilamayin kaatil / Mudhumayin moongil

Compares youth to a forest ('Ilamayin kaatil') and old age to a bamboo flute ('Mudhumayin moongil').

Simile (Uvamaani)

Alai kadal pola

Compares the surge of life experiences to an ocean filled with crashing waves using the comparison word 'pola'.

Imagery

Nadhigalil viluntha / Ilai elaam / Nadhi vazhi sellum / Padagu thaan

Evokes vivid visual imagery of leaves falling into a river and floating along like boats.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Padagu thaan / Parakkavae vendum

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across consecutive lines (Padagu / Parakkavae).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Om' (also known as 'Ilamai Idho Idho') starring veteran actor Rajinikanth's contemporary director/actor Bharathiraja, features lyrics by late Na. Muthu Kumar, known for his philosophical depth and nature-centric metaphors on life and human relationships.

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