Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Madhu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Ulagil

From Madhu · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Madhu
Movie release year
2006
Lyrics added on
9 Apr 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Andha kaatru kalaikkumaa
Undhan kanalum erikkumaa
Vilaiyaattu porulai pol
Idhu vilaikku kidaikkumaa
Nee thattinaal thirakkumaa
En ulaga vaasalae
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Thodarndha paadhaigal thuliyum ariyaadhu
Payanam pogindra ulagam
Thodavum mudiyaadhu vidavum mudiyaadhu
Mayangi nirkkindra ulagam
Kanavai nijam endru kangal thiravaadhu
Kalithu magizhgindra ulagam
Thanakkum puriyaadhu vilakka vilangaadhu
Thayangi thavikkindra ulagam
Arugil irundhum
Manidha idhayam tholaivil irukkum
Thisaigal engum sirikkum mugangal
Siritha podhum jeevan adhil illaiyae
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Malarin vaasangal sumandhu selgindra
Thendral ye nindru nee sellu
Sumandha vaasathai kanda malar undhan
Sondhamaa neeyum sollu
Nilavin oliyodu kudhithu vilaiyaadum
Velli alaiyae nee nillu
Amudha oli thandha nilavu unakkenna
Sondhamaa neeyum sollu
Sirithu malarum malargal yaavum
Iraivan aiyai thoduvadhillai
Iraivan adikku udhitha malarum
Kaikku kidaikkaadhaiyaa
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Andha kaatru kalaikkumaa
Undhan kanalum erikkumaa
Vilaiyaattu porulai pol
Idhu vilaikku kidaikkumaa
Nee thattinaal thirakkumaa
En ulaga vaasalae
Indha ulagil naan irundhaalum
Enadhu ulagam vaeru
Adhai kandu kolvadhaaru
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Can that wind blow it away?
Can your fire burn it down?
Like a simple toy,
can it be bought for a price?
If you knock, will it open—
the doorway to my world?
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Knowing nothing of the path ahead,
this world journeys on.
Unable to touch it, unable to let it go,
this world stands in a daze.
Mistaking dreams for reality without opening its eyes,
this world rejoices.
Unable to understand itself or be explained,
this world hesitates and struggles.
Even while standing close by,
the human heart stays far away.
There are smiling faces everywhere,
yet even as they smile, there is no soul in them.
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Carrying the fragrance of flowers,
O gentle breeze, stop and pause.
Is the flower whose fragrance you carried
truly yours? Tell me.
Leaping and playing with the moonlight,
O silver wave, stop and pause.
Is the moon that gives sweet light
truly yours? Tell me.
Not all flowers that bloom with a smile
get to touch the feet of God.
And the flower born for the feet of God
is never within reach.
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Can that wind blow it away?
Can any fire burn it down?
Like a simple toy,
can it be bought for a price?
If you knock, will it open—
the doorway to my world?
Even though I live in this world,
my world is different.
Who is there to understand it?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Madhu

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.