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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Azhagu Deepam

From Thiramai · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thiramai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Male
Idhu mugamo malarvanamoIs this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Idhu mugamo malarvanamoIs this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Ennai mayakum maaya chudarthaanoIs it a magical flame captivating me?
Female
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Female
Idhu mugamo malarvanamoIs this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Idhu mugamo malarvanamoIs this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Ennai mayakum maaya chudarthaanoIs it a magical flame captivating me?
Male
Poovizhi kaaviya cholai undhanYour flower-like eyes are an epic grove,
Punnagai mogana malaiYour smile is an enchanting garland.
Aa…..aa….aa….poovizhi kaaviya cholai undhanAa... aa... aa... Your flower-like eyes are an epic grove,
Punnagai mogana malaiYour smile is an enchanting garland.
Female :Pudhuvidhamai mudhaliraveFemale: In a unique way, this wedding night
Namakenave amaindhadhuvaeHas been arranged especially for us.
Male
Erimalail kulir malarpolLike a cool flower on a volcano,
Edharkinil nee malarnthathanaalBecause you bloomed amidst it,
Padukkai purati amaindhadhaeThe bed has turned into a peaceful haven.
Female
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Male :Idhu mugamo malarvanamoMale: Is this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Ennai mayakum maaya chudarthaanoIs it a magical flame captivating me?
Female
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Female
Maamazhai peigira neramIt is the time when heavy rain falls,
Indha malligai kondadhu eeramThis jasmine flower has gathered dew,
Aa…..aa….aa….maamazhai peigira neramAa... aa... aa... It is the time when heavy rain falls,
Indha malligai kondadhu eeramThis jasmine flower has gathered dew.
Male :Iravinilae thavalaigalaeMale: In the night, are the frogs
Isai kural en kodukirathoGiving a musical voice?
Female
Santhathigal perugidavaeSo that generations may multiply,
Santhangalil azhaikirathaeIt calls out in rhythmic tunes,
Pudhumai kavithai padikuthaeReciting a novel poem!
Male
Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinilWhen this beautiful lamp shines its light,
Iravu deepam yaenoWhy is a night lamp needed?
Idhu mugamo malarvanamoIs this a face, or a garden of flowers?
Ennai mayakum maaya chudarthaanoIs it a magical flame captivating me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Indha Azhagu Dheepam is a sensual and poetic romantic duet depicting the romantic intensity of a couple's wedding night. The husband admires his bride's radiant beauty, comparing her face to a glowing lamp that eclipses the dark night, making artificial lamps redundant. Her features are celebrated as a garden of blossoms and an epic work of art that mesmerizes him completely. As the song progresses, rich sensory imagery of pouring rain, moist jasmines, and ambient sounds of nature mirror the couple's intimacy and passionate bond, framing their togetherness as a harmonious blend of nature, emotion, and life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indha azhagu dheepam oli veesum pozhuthinil

The bride's glowing face is metaphorically compared to a lamp ('azhagu dheepam') and her eyes to an epic garden ('kaaviya cholai').

Contrast / Oxymoron (Muran)

Erimalail kulir malarpol

Juxtaposition of extreme heat ('Erimalai' - volcano) with extreme cool softness ('kulir malar' - cool flower) to express soothing passion.

Initial Assonance / Monai

Maamazhai peigira neram / Indha malligai kondadhu eeram

Repetition of initial vowel sounds creating rhythm across consecutive line openings.

Personification

Isai kural en kodukiratho / Pudhumai kavithai padikuthae

Nature, specifically frogs calling in the night, is personified as musicians reciting modern poetry and celebrating lineage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh for the 1985 movie Thiramai, the song features the classic vocal pairing of Malaysia Vasudevan and Uma Ramanan. Lyricist Muthulingam utilizes classical literary metaphors like 'Malarvanam' and 'Kaaviya Cholai' to craft a sophisticated romantic atmosphere typical of mid-1980s Tamil cinema.

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