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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilavatta Nilavukku Idham

From Unakkaga Oru Roja · 1985

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
T. Rajendar
Movie name
Unakkaga Oru Roja
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
4 Mar 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
Thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai
En ullaam sillaaga
Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai
En udalo soodaaga
Ho ho thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai
En ullaam sillaaga
Female :Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai
En udalo soodaaga
Malligai villaena nanaththil valainthida
Naanum ambaagavo
Female :Mannavan velena thegaththil paainthida
Naanum poraadavo
Intha poril naan vellavo
Inba thaenai naan allavo
Female :Naan thottraal vibareethamae
Nee thottaal abaraathaamae
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
Ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai
Un odai naanthaanae
Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae
Un seedhai naanthaanae
Hmm…..ponnaadaiyil pooththa thaamarai
Un odai naanthaanae
Female :Manamedaiyil veettra ramanae
Un seedhai naanthaanae
Sugam peru aasaiyil
Swaram tharum veenaiyil
Kaiyai arangaettravo
Female :Avasara viralgalin abasvara kaanaththai
Innum naan ketkavo
Sathiraadum ponnaaramae
Jathi sollum idhazh oorumae
Female :Sathi seiyyum en vetkkamae
Sathiyaagum naal varaikkumae
Ilavatta nilavukku idham tharum malarukku
Engae thookkam varum engae thookkam varum
Female :Viral patta idhaththukku vidha vidha sugaththukku
Nenjil yaekkam varum nenjil yaekkam varum
……………..
Female :……………..
For the youthful moon and the soothing flower,
how can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female: For the soothing touch of fingers and every kind of pleasure,
a longing fills the heart, a longing fills the heart.
For the youthful moon and the soothing flower,
how can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female: For the soothing touch of fingers and every kind of pleasure,
a longing fills the heart, a longing fills the heart.
You call me like a gentle breeze,
making my heart cool and calm.
Female: You pull me like a temple chariot,
making my body burn with heat.
Ho ho, you call me like a gentle breeze,
making my heart cool and calm.
Female: You pull me like a temple chariot,
making my body burn with heat.
When the jasmine bends like a bow in bashfulness,
should I become an arrow?
Female: When my prince strikes like a spear against my body,
should I put up a fight?
Should I win this battle?
Should I scoop up the sweet honey of joy?
Female: If I lose, it will be trouble,
and if you touch me, it is forbidden!
For the youthful moon and the soothing flower,
how can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
O lotus blooming in a golden dress,
am I not your stream?
Female: O beloved groom seated on the wedding stage,
am I not your Sita?
Mmm... O lotus blooming in a golden dress,
am I not your stream?
Female: O beloved groom seated on the wedding stage,
am I not your Sita?
With the desire to taste pleasure,
on the veena (stringed instrument) that makes musical notes,
shall I let my hands begin to play?
Female: To the out-of-tune music of hurried fingers,
must I still listen?
O dancing golden garland,
rhythm-chanting lips flow with sweetness.
Female: My shyness plays tricks on me,
until the day our wedding vows come true.
For the youthful moon and the soothing flower,
how can sleep ever come? How can sleep ever come?
Female: For the soothing touch of fingers and every kind of pleasure,
a longing fills the heart, a longing fills the heart.
...
Female: ...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet depicts an intimate, playful exchange between two lovers overwhelmed by passion and longing during a sleepless night. The male protagonist compares his beloved to a delicate lotus and a cool breeze, expressing his burning desire to hold her. The female protagonist responds with playful hesitation, referencing cultural allegories such as Rama and Sita while expressing her maidenly shyness and desire to wait until their marital union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)

“Ilavatta nilavukku / Viral patta idhaththukku”

The second consonant 'la' (ல) rhymes across lines 'Ilavatta' and 'Viral', creating a pleasing rhythmic structure typical of classical Tamil songwriting.

Metaphor & Simile (Upama)

“Thendralaai ennai azhaikkiraai / Thaerena ennai izhukkiraai”

The lover is compared to a gentle breeze ('Thendralaai') and a pulling chariot ('Thaerena'), illustrating contrasting feelings of soothing coolness and intense warmth.

Antithesis (Contrast)

“En ullaam sillaaga / En udalo soodaaga”

Direct contrast between cold ('sillaaga') and hot ('soodaaga') to reflect the emotional turbulence caused by romantic arousal.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monnai & Iyai)

“Naan thottraal vibareethamae / Nee thottaal abaraathaamae”

Internal and end rhymes like 'vibareethamae' and 'abaraathaamae' emphasize the playful tension between the lovers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed, written, and directed by T. Rajendar, the song features his signature alliterative rhyming style (Edhugai and Monai) in every stanza. T. Rajendar is known in Tamil cinema for writing lyrics where every line rhymes systematically while maintaining musical rhythm.

Keep listening

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