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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Poovukkoru Kadhai

From Iravu Pookkal · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Iravu Pookkal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Penkalilae irandu vagaiThere are two types of women.
Ondru karpudaiyaarOne type consists of virtuous women,
Mattravar illaathavar…..idharkuvamaiAnd the other consists of those without... as an analogy to this,
Pookkalilum irandu vagaiThere are two types of flowers as well.
Ondru pagalil poopathuOne blooms during the daytime,
Mattrondru irvil poopathuAnd the other blooms during the night.
Male
Intha poovukkoru kadhai unduThis flower has a story to tell,
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Male
Intha poovukkoru kadhai unduThis flower has a story to tell,
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Male
Kallilae uyirai kandaThe man who saw life inside a stone,
Manithan oru kalaingan thaaneHe is truly an artist, isn't he?
Silayilae unarvai thanthaThe artist who gave feelings to a sculpture,
Kalaingan avan iraivan thaanaeHe is indeed God Himself, isn't he?
Male
Uyirai ingu vaazhnthidumLiving life here on earth,
Penn unarvai kallaa maattridumTurning a woman's feelings into stone,
Uyirai ingu vaazhnthidumLiving life here on earth,
Penn unarvai kallaa maattridumTurning a woman's feelings into stone,
Male
Intha paavamathai seiyya sonathaaroWho was it that asked for this sin to be done?
Siru poovai kollum paavi avar yaaroWho is that sinner who kills a delicate little flower?
Male
Intha poovukkoru kadhai unduThis flower has a story to tell,
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Male
Kalangam adhu udampukku thaanaeBlemish or stain is only for the physical body,
Kalakkam ingu yaeno pennaeWhy then this agitation or distress, my dear woman?
Udambum adhu kalthaan ingaeThe physical body itself is like a stone here,
Manathum oru marthaan kannaeAnd the mind is like a tree, my dear.
Male
Manathae vaazhkkai aadhalaalSince life is centered around the mind,
Mana thooimai ondrae pothumaePurity of the mind alone is sufficient.
Manathae vaazhkkai aadhalaalSince life is centered around the mind,
Mana thooimai ondrae pothumaePurity of the mind alone is sufficient.
Male
Nalla karpum manam thooimai ingu ondruTrue chastity and purity of mind are one and the same here,
Idhai kattru manam meanmai kaanpathendruWhen will one learn this and achieve greatness of the mind?
Male
Intha poovukkoru kadhai unduThis flower has a story to tell,
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Male
Intha poovukkoru kadhai unduThis flower has a story to tell,
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?
Ennavendru adhai solvathinguHow shall I tell that story here?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song draws a poignant parallel between flowers that bloom at night and women who are forced or judged by societal norms regarding chastity and livelihood. It contrasts the physical realm with the spiritual, arguing that societal stains affect only the temporary physical body, whereas true virtue and chastity reside in the purity of the mind. Through metaphors of sculptors, stones, and flowers, the lyricist questions who responsible for forcing innocent lives into tragic circumstances, concluding with a message that inner mental purity is the ultimate form of virtue.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Analogy / Metaphor)

Pookkalilum irandu vagai ... idharkuvamai

Compares types of women to types of flowers (day-blooming and night-blooming flowers).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kallilae uyirai kanda / Kalaingan avan iraivan thaanae

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'lla' in 'Kallilae' and 'Kalaingan'.

Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter Harmony)

Manathae vaazhkkai aadhalaal / Mana thooimai ondrae pothumae

Repetition of initial sound 'Ma' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the 1985 Tamil film 'Iravu Pookkal' with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The title 'Iravu Pookkal' (Night Flowers) serves as a central metaphor throughout the song, addressing themes of womanhood, social perception, and moral purity.

Keep listening

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