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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Illai Illai Nee Illamal

From Nangooram · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Nangooram1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Female :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.
Male :Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Female :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.
Male
Iruvarukkul inbam inbamBetween the two of us, there is joy, joy.
Adharkkoru naal vendumaaDoes that require a specific day?
Female :Enakkena nee sondham sondhamFor me, you are uniquely mine, mine.
Inikkindra thaen vendumaDo we need sweet honey beyond this?
Male
Amuthathil nanaindhadhu kumuthathu poongodiyaeDrenched in nectar, oh flowering vine of water lily!
Female :Samayathil kanindhadhu madiyinil maanganiyaeRipe at the right moment, oh mango on my lap!
Male
Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Female :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.
Female
Malarnthirukkum nenjil nenjilIn my blossoming heart, heart,
Unai pola mannan illaiThere is no king like you.
Male :Kuvindhirukkum selvam selvamThe wealth that has accumulated,
Unaiyandri thevaiyillaiI need nothing other than you.
Female
Enakkena kidaithathu indhira logam ondruWhat I received for myself is a heavenly realm of Indra.
Male :Ennidam vizhundhadhu mandhira megam ondruWhat fell upon me is a magical cloud.
Female
Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Male :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.
Male
Kidaitha pidi endrum endrumThe hold I have gained, forever and ever,
Naluvaamal kaathiruppenI will protect without letting it slip.
Female :Kidaitha sugam ennai vittuThe joy I have attained, from me,
Vilagamal paarthiruppenI will watch over so it never strays away.
Male
Mudhuginil saaindhadhil ulagathai marandhuvittenLeaning against your back, I forgot the entire world.
Female :Ini enna kelungal muzhuvadhum koduthuvittenNow ask whatever you wish, I have surrendered everything.
Male
Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Female :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.
Female :Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyaeNo, no, without you, I do not exist.
Male :Illai illai nam inbathil adhu illaiyaeNo, no, in our bliss, that does not exist.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film Nangooram explores the idea of absolute togetherness and mutual devotion between two lovers. The lyrics emphasize that neither partner feels complete without the other, describing their intimacy as an ecstatic realm where external time and material wealth cease to matter. Kannadasan's lyrics employ lush nature imagery and sensuous metaphors to convey complete surrender and romantic bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Illai illai nee illamal naan illaiyae

Repeated words like 'Illai illai', 'inbam inbam', and 'sondham sondham' reinforce emotional intensity and create a rhythmic cadence.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Amuthathil nanaindhadhu kumuthathu poongodiyae

Comparing the beloved to a flowering vine soaked in nectar ('Amuthathil nanaindhadhu kumuthathu poongodiyae') and sweet fruit ('maanganiyae').

Monai & Edugai (Tamil Rhyming Conventions)

Samayathil kanindhadhu madiyinil maanganiyae

Syllabic rhyming and initial letter harmony between paired lines like 'Amuthathil' and 'Samayathil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nangooram (1979) featured music composed by V. Kumar, a prominent composer known for his melodic compositions in 1970s Tamil cinema, often collaborating with legendary lyricist Kannadasan.

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