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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Ulagil

From Madhu · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Madhu2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?
Female
Andha kaatru kalaikkumaaWill that wind scatter it away?
Undhan kanalum erikkumaaWill your fire burn it down?
Vilaiyaattu porulai polLike a plaything or toy
Idhu vilaikku kidaikkumaaCan this be bought for a price?
Nee thattinaal thirakkumaaWill it open if you knock on it?
En ulaga vaasalaeO doorway to my inner world!
Female
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?
Female
Thodarndha paadhaigal thuliyum ariyaadhuA world where the journey moves on
Payanam pogindra ulagamWithout knowing even a speck of the established paths
Thodavum mudiyaadhu vidavum mudiyaadhuImpossible to touch, impossible to abandon
Mayangi nirkkindra ulagamA world standing entranced in bewilderment
Kanavai nijam endru kangal thiravaadhuEyes will not open mistaking a dream for reality
Kalithu magizhgindra ulagamA world that rejoices in bliss
Thanakkum puriyaadhu vilakka vilangaadhuNeither understanding itself nor explainable to others
Thayangi thavikkindra ulagamA world hesitating and struggling
Arugil irundhumDespite being close by physically
Manidha idhayam tholaivil irukkumThe human heart remains far away
Thisaigal engum sirikkum mugangalFaces smiling in all directions
Siritha podhum jeevan adhil illaiyaeYet even when they smile, there is no true soul in them
Female
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?
Female
Malarin vaasangal sumandhu selgindraCarrying the fragrance of blossoms as you travel
Thendral ye nindru nee selluO gentle breeze, pause for a moment before you go
Sumandha vaasathai kanda malar undhanIs the flower whose fragrance you carried
Sondhamaa neeyum solluTruly your own? Tell me
Nilavin oliyodu kudhithu vilaiyaadumJumping and playing along with the moonlight
Velli alaiyae nee nilluO silver wave, stop and answer
Amudha oli thandha nilavu unakkennaThe moon that bestowed the nectar-like light
Sondhamaa neeyum solluIs it truly yours? Tell me
Sirithu malarum malargal yaavumAll the flowers that bloom with a smile
Iraivan aiyai thoduvadhillaiDo not get to touch the feet of God
Iraivan adikku udhitha malarumAnd the flower destined for the divine feet
Kaikku kidaikkaadhaiyaaMay not be reachable by human hands
Female
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?
Andha kaatru kalaikkumaaWill that wind scatter it away?
Undhan kanalum erikkumaaWill your fire burn it down?
Vilaiyaattu porulai polLike a plaything or toy
Idhu vilaikku kidaikkumaaCan this be bought for a price?
Nee thattinaal thirakkumaaWill it open if you knock on it?
En ulaga vaasalaeO doorway to my inner world!
Female
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalumEven though I exist in this world
Enadhu ulagam vaeruMy world is entirely different
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaruWho is there to discover or understand it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This deeply philosophical song explores the theme of emotional isolation, individuality, and spiritual detachment. The protagonist reflects on living physically in society while belonging to an inner, untouchable world of their own. Through evocative imagery of nature—such as the breeze carrying fragrance without owning the flower, and the wave dancing in moonlight without possessing the moon—the song highlights the illusion of ownership and attachment in human life. It conveys that true inner emotions cannot be commodified, manipulated, or easily understood by the external world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)

Thodavum mudiyaadhu vidavum mudiyaadhu

Repetition of similar initial sound patterns in consecutive lines creating a rhythmic cadence (e.g., 'Thodavum' and 'Thayangi').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Andha kaatru kalaikkumaa / Undhan kanalum erikkumaa

Rhyming of second consonants across lines ('kalaikkumaa', 'erikkumaa', 'kidaikkumaa', 'thirakkumaa').

Personification

Thendral ye nindru nee sellu

Addressing natural elements like the breeze ('Thendral') and wave ('Velli alai') as sentient beings and questioning them about ownership.

Metaphor

Nee thattinaal thirakkumaa / En ulaga vaasalae

Comparing the inner mind and world to a room with a doorway ('ulaga vaasalae') that cannot be opened simply by knocking or paying a price.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Srikanth Deva for the 2006 film Madhu. It stands out in the soundtrack for its contemplative and deeply reflective lyrical theme compared to typical commercial tracks of that era.

Keep listening

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