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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilanguyil Paadutho

From Kaliyugam · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Kaliyugam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ilanguyil paaduthooThe young cuckoo is singing
Yaar vara koovudhooFor whose arrival is it cooing?
Ilagiya maalaiyil thanimaiyil vaadudhooIt languishes in solitude during the gentle evening.
Male :Pattu padikkum poonguyil thaanMale: The song-singing sweet cuckoo,
Koottai thirakkum neramidhuThis is the time to open its cage.
Koottai thirandhu jodiyudanOpening the cage with its partner,
Koodi kalakkum kaalamidhuThis is the time to unite and blend together.
Female
Ilanguyil paaduthooThe young cuckoo is singing
Yaar vara koovudhooFor whose arrival is it cooing?
Ilagiya maalaiyil thanimaiyil vaadudhooIt languishes in solitude during the gentle evening.
Female
Mannam madiyil naan aadaTo dance on the fragrant lap,
Manjal kulithu poochoodaAfter bathing in turmeric and wearing flowers.
Male :Oomai kanavil naan vaadaMale: As I languish in a silent dream,
Unnai ninaithu poraadaStruggling with thoughts of you.
Female
Ammadi unnalaeOh my girl, because of you,
Thookkam yedhu raathiriyilThere is no sleep at night.
Male :Innum enna naanam vittuMale: Why this shyness anymore? Leave it behind
Ennai thazhuvuAnd embrace me.
Female :Unnai vittu engae povumFemale: Where else will this moon go
Indha nilavuLeaving you behind?
Male :Mutham ondru veikka sollumMale: The silky lips suggest
Pattu udhaduTo place a kiss.
Female :Ketti melam kotti thaanaeFemale: Is a relationship in the forest bound
Kaattil uravuOnly by beating the auspicious drums?
Male
Ilanguyil paaduthooThe young cuckoo is singing
Yaar vara koovudhooFor whose arrival is it cooing?
Female :Ilagiya maalaiyil thanimaiyil vaadudhooFemale: It languishes in solitude during the gentle evening.
Male
Veenai irukka meettaamalWhy leave the Veena unplayed,
Vendum swarangal koottaamalWithout bringing together the desired musical notes?
Female :Andhapurathil nee meettuFemale: Play it in the inner chamber,
Aadhi thaalathai nee pottuSetting the fundamental beat.
Male :Kaiyodum meiyodumMale: With hands and body,
Kaadhal devan keerthanai thaanIt is the devotional hymn of the God of Love.
Female
Poga poga ennaennavoAs time goes on,
Raagam pirakkumVarious ragas will be born.
Male :Paada paada ponnulaginMale: As we keep singing, the doors
Vaasam thirakkumTo a golden world of fragrance will open.
Female :Endha poovum vaasam veesumFemale: Every flower has its own time
Velai irukkuTo spread its fragrance.
Male :Thendral vandhu poovai killaMale: Why does the breeze need a scheduled date
Thaedhi edharkkuTo gently touch the flower?
Female
Ilanguyil paaduthooThe young cuckoo is singing
Yaar vara koovudhooFor whose arrival is it cooing?
Male :Ilagiya maalaiyil thanimaiyil vaadudhooMale: It languishes in solitude during the gentle evening.
Female
Pattu padikkum poonguyil thaanThe song-singing sweet cuckoo,
Koottai thirakkum neramidhuThis is the time to open its cage.
Male :Koottai thirandhu jodiyudanMale: Opening the cage with its partner,
Koodi kalakkum kaalamidhuThis is the time to unite and blend together.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ilanguyil Paaduthoo' from the 1988 film Kaliyugam is a romantic duet composed by Chandrabose and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, with lyrics by Vaali. The song uses nature and musical metaphors—such as a lonely cuckoo calling for its mate, an unplayed veena waiting for notes, and breezes plucking flowers—to express romantic yearning and intense physical and emotional intimacy between two lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Rupakam)

Ilanguyil paaduthoo / Veenai irukka meettaamal

The female protagonist is metaphorically compared to a cuckoo ('Ilanguyil') and a veena waiting to be played ('Veenai irukka meettaamal').

Personification

Unnai vittu engae povum indha nilavu

Giving human actions and emotions to the moon ('Indha nilavu') and breeze ('Thendral vandhu poovai killa').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ilanguyil paaduthoo ... Ilagiya maalaiyil

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words in the same line for rhythmic flow, such as 'Ilanguyil' and 'Ilagiya'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track showcases lyricist Vaali's signature usage of musical terms (ragam, swarangal, aadhi thaalam, keerthanai) as double-entendres for romantic intimacy, perfectly set to Chandrabose's lush late-80s orchestration.

Keep listening

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