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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilavenil Idhu

From Kadhal Rojavae · 2000

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kadhal Rojavae2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ilavenil idhu vaigaasi madhamThis is early summer, the month of Vaikasi.
Vizhiyoram mazhai yen vandhadhuWhy did rain come to the corner of your eyes?
Puriyadho ilampoovae un mogamO young flower, isn't your passion understood?
Nerupaaga kannil neer vandhadhuTears came to the eyes like burning fire.
Male
Panimootam vandhadhaalBecause heavy fog has gathered,
Malar thottam neengiyaeLeaving the flower garden,
Dhisai maari pogumo thendralaeWill the gentle breeze lose its direction?
Kaadhal rojavae paadhai maraadhaeO Rose of Love, do not lose your path.
Nenjam thaangadhu ooh oohMy heart cannot bear this, ooh ooh.
Male
Ilavenil idhu vaigaasi madhamThis is early summer, the month of Vaikasi.
Vizhiyoram mazhai yen vandhadhuWhy did rain come to the corner of your eyes?
Male
Enmeni nee meetum pon veenai endruThat my body is a golden veena played by you,
Annaalil needhaan sonnadhuYou were the one who said so back then.
Kaiyendhi naan vangum pon veenai indruThe golden veena that I received with open hands today,
Kaimaari yeno sendradhuWhy has it changed hands and gone away?
Male
Enpondra yezhai mudi vizhum vaalaiCan a poor person like me, struck by a falling sword,
Undaana kaayam aarakoodumaEver heal from the wound caused?
Kaadhal rojavae kanalai mootaadhaeO Rose of Love, do not stoke the fire.
Nee konda en nenjai thandhaal vaazhthuvenIf you return my heart that you took, I will bless you.
Male
Ilavenil idhu vaigaasi madhamThis is early summer, the month of Vaikasi.
Vizhiyoram mazhai yen vandhadhuWhy did rain come to the corner of your eyes?
Panimootam vandhadhaalBecause heavy fog has gathered,
Malar thottam neengiyaeLeaving the flower garden,
Dhisai maari pogumo thendralaeWill the gentle breeze lose its direction?
Male
…………....
Male
Kannana kannae un vaai vaarthai nambiBelieving your words, my precious darling,
Kalyana dheepam yetrinenI lit the sacred wedding lamp.
En dheepam un koyil seradhu endruRealizing my lamp would never reach your temple,
Thaneerai nanae ootrinenI poured water on it myself to extinguish it.
Male
Unnodu vaazha illaiyoru yogamI am not fated to live life with you.
Naan seitha paavam yarai cholvadhuWhom can I blame for the sins I committed?
Kaadhal rojavae nalamaai nee vaazhgaO Rose of Love, may you live well and happily.
Nee soodum poomaalai vaan pol vaazhgavaeMay the flower garland you wear endure like the sky.
Female
Ilavenil ilaraagangal paadumSinging gentle summer melodies,
Ilankaatrae engae pogiraiO young breeze, where are you going?
Poonjolai idhu unnodu vaazhumThis flower garden lives along with you,
Imaikamal ennai yen paarkiraiWhy do you stare at me without blinking?
Female
Panimootam vandhadhaaHas heavy fog gathered now?
Malar thottam neengiyaeLeaving the flower garden,
Dhisai maari pogumo thendralaeWill the gentle breeze lose its direction?
Kaadhal rajavae unnai koodamalO King of Love, without uniting with you,
Kangal thoongadhiya … aaaMy eyes refuse to sleep... aaa
Female
Ilavenil ilaraagangal paadumSinging gentle summer melodies,
Ilankaatrae engae pogiraiO young breeze, where are you going?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep pain of unrequited or separated love using rich poetic imagery drawn from nature. The speaker compares their beloved to a rose and a gentle breeze, while equating tears to unexpected summer rain. The lyrics detail memories of past promises—recalling how the lover once called them a golden instrument to be played, only to relinquish that bond, leaving an unhealable wound.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Vizhiyoram mazhai yen vandhadhu

Tears streaming from eyes are metaphorically described as rain ('Vizhiyoram mazhai'), and sorrow is described as fog obscuring the garden ('Panimootam').

Analogy / Simile (Upamai)

Enmeni nee meetum pon veenai endru

The human body is compared to a golden musical instrument ('pon veenai') played by the beloved.

Contrast (Edhiraai)

En dheepam un koyil seradhu endru / Thaneerai nanae ootrinen

The joy of lighting a wedding lamp ('Kalyana dheepam yetrinen') is sharply contrasted with extinguishing it with water due to heartbreak ('Thaneerai nanae ootrinen').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kadhal Rojavae' (released in 2000) was directed by K. Keyaar and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The title borrows its name from the legendary song from Mani Ratnam's 'Roja' (1992).

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