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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilavenir Kaala Panjami

From Manam Virumbuthe Unnai · 1999

Lyricist
Arivumathi
Singers
Hariharan, Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Male
Chitthira vaanam chitthiram theettidum megamA picture-like sky with clouds painting pictures,
Oru paththarai maaththu thanga nilaavai santhiththaenI met a golden moon of pure quality.
Engal paarvai nindru ponadhuOur gaze stood frozen,
Vaanam boomi enna aanadhuWhat became of the sky and the earth?
Female
Laalaa laalalaalaaLaalaa laalalaalaa
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Male
Thookkam ponadhu avalai ninaitthaeSleep vanished thinking of her,
Yaekkam aanadhu pitthanai pol aanaenLonging consumed me, and I became like a madman.
Paarkkum idam yellaam avalai polaeEverywhere I look, resembling her,
Paavai therindhadhu paiththiyamaai aanaenThe maiden appeared, driving me crazy.
Male
Ennai polae avalum irundhaal endruWhen she said she too felt the same as me,
Aval solla kaettu ullam engo ponadhuMy heart drifted away somewhere.
Meendum meendum aval thaan vaendum endruWanting her again and again,
Enai thoondum ullam pachai kodi kaattudhuMy heart urging me shows a green flag.
Male
Idhu indru vandha sondhamaaIs this a bond that began today,
Illai jenma jenma bandhamaaOr a connection lasting over many lifetimes?
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Male
Chitthira vaanam chitthiram theettidum megamA picture-like sky with clouds painting pictures,
Oru paththarai maaththu thanga nilaavai santhiththaenI met a golden moon of pure quality.
Engal paarvai nindru ponadhuOur gaze stood frozen,
Vaanam boomi enna aanadhuWhat became of the sky and the earth?
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Male
Manjal kungumam konda dhevadhaiA goddess adorned with turmeric and vermilion,
Endhan kaiyilae mangala naan kondaalIf she accepts the sacred thread from my hand,
Thingal aadidum vaanam polavaeLike the sky in which the moon plays,
Eengal veettilae mazhalaikal thaan thandhaalShe brought children into our home.
Male
Paada vaiththu ullam aada vaiththuMaking me sing, making my heart dance,
Anbu paattu cholli veettil inbam thandhavalShe brought happiness home by singing songs of love.
Thaeda vaiththu nenjam vaada vaiththuMaking me search, making my heart wither,
Ennai sogat theeyil vaega vaiththu ponavalShe left after scorching me in the fire of sorrow.
Male
Indha yaezhai ennai manandhaalShe married this poor man,
Endhan jeevanukkul kalandhaalAnd merged into my very life.
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Aval vaanil vandha pournamiShe is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Male
Chitthira vaanam chitthiram theettidum megamA picture-like sky with clouds painting pictures,
Oru paththarai maaththu thanga nilaavai santhiththaenI met a golden moon of pure quality.
Engal paarvai nindru ponadhuOur gaze stood frozen,
Vaanam boomi enna aanadhuWhat became of the sky and the earth?
Female
Laalaa laalalaalaaLaalaa laalalaalaa
Male
Ilavaenir kaala panjamiThe fifth lunar day of the mild spring season,
Female :Laalaa laalalaalaaFemale: Laalaa laalalaalaa
Male :Aval vaanil vandha pournamiMale: She is the full moon that appeared in my sky.
Female :Laalaa laalalaalaaFemale: Laalaa laalalaalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a deeply romantic and soulful expression of love, where the protagonist compares his beloved to a full moon illuminating a spring sky. He describes the overwhelming intensity of falling in love—how her sight mesmerizes him, deprives him of sleep, and makes the world around him disappear into poetic bliss. He ponders whether their connection is newly formed or a soulmate bond carried over across multiple births. As the song progresses, the lyricist paints a portrait of domestic happiness, imagery of tradition, and deep emotional attachment. The lover reflects on her transformative presence in his life, bringing joyous song and warmth, while also expressing the intense pain of missing her when she is absent.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aval vaanil vandha pournami

Compares the beloved directly to 'Pournami' (a full moon) shining in the protagonist's personal sky ('vaanil').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Chitthira vaanam chitthiram theettidum megam

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Chi' across words in the line for rhythmic sound texture.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Engal paarvai nindru ponadhu / Vaanam boomi enna aanadhu

Exaggerates the emotional impact of their mutual gaze by claiming time and the physical world (sky and earth) froze or dissolved.

Rhyme / Couplet Structure (Edhugai)

Thookkam ponadhu avalai ninaitthae / Yaekkam aanadhu pitthanai pol aanaen

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('ka' in Thookkam/Yaekkam and Paarkkum/Paavai).

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Trivia

Lyricist Arivumathi is renowned for incorporating classical Sangam Tamil imagery into modern film songs. Terms like 'Ilavaenir' (early spring/springtime) and 'Panjami' (fifth lunar day) showcase traditional Tamil calendar and astronomical concepts repurposed into poetic romantic lyricism.

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