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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iravil Oru Athisayam

From Amma Enge · 1964

Lyricist
Nalla Thambi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Movie name
Amma Enge
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
10 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mayakkam mayakkam
mayakkam mayakkam
Iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Hoo iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Vizhiyilae thani mozhiyilae pudhu
ulagam kaanbom vaa
Ho iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Sirithathai kandaar sila per
Naan thudithathai kaanavillai
Sirithathai kandaar sila per
Naan thudithathai kaanavillai
Eduthathai sonnar pala per
Naan koduthathai kooravillai
Aa..aaa..aa…
Eduthathai sonnar pala per
Naan koduthathai kooravillai
Naan koduthathai kooravillai
Iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Oruvanukkaaga pirandhen
Andha oruvan neeyallavaa
Oruvanukkaaga pirandhen
Andha oruvan neeyallavaa
En ullathil neeyirundhaai
Adhai unnidam naan sollavaa
En ullathil neeyirundhaai
Adhai unnidam naan sollavaa
Adhai unnidam naan sollavaa
Ho iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Vizhiyilae thani mozhiyilae pudhu
ulagam kaanbom vaa
Mayakkam mayakkam
mayakkam mayakkam
Iravilae oru adhisayam
indrae kaanbom vaa
Mmm mm mm mm mmm mm
Intoxication, a sweet daze
Intoxication, a sweet daze
A wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
Ooh, a wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
Through the eyes, in a special language of their own,
Come, let us discover a whole new world!
Oh, a wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
A few people saw me smile,
They never saw the pain in my heart
A few people saw me smile,
They never saw the pain in my heart
Many spoke of what was taken,
No one spoke of all that I gave
Aa..aaa..aa...
Many spoke of what was taken,
No one spoke of all that I gave
No one spoke of all that I gave
A wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
I was born for just one man,
Aren't you that very one?
I was born for just one man,
Aren't you that very one?
You were always living in my heart,
Shall I say that to you now?
You were always living in my heart,
Shall I say that to you now?
Shall I say that to you now?
Oh, a wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
Through the eyes, in a special language of their own,
Come, let us discover a whole new world!
Intoxication, a sweet daze
Intoxication, a sweet daze
A wonder in the night
Come, let us see it tonight
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Mayakkam Mayakkam' from the 1964 movie 'Amma Enge' is a deeply emotional yet romantic melody. It depicts a woman calling out to her beloved, inviting him to share a magical, quiet night together where their eyes can speak a unique language. Beneath her romantic call lies a poignant reflection on society's superficiality—people readily notice her outward laughter and judge what she takes, yet ignore her internal agony and her sacrifices. She ultimately reaffirms her devotion, declaring that she was born for him alone and asking if she may express the love she holds deep in her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Mayakkam mayakkam / mayakkam mayakkam

The word 'mayakkam' is repeated continuously to emphasize a state of trance, intoxication, or deep enchantment.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Sirithathai kandaar sila per / Naan thudithathai kaanavillai

Contrasts public observation with hidden suffering ('laugh' vs 'throb') and societal criticism with unacknowledged sacrifice ('took' vs 'gave').

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sirithathai kandaar sila per / Naan thudithathai kaanavillai

Rhyming structure using the second consonant across lines ('Sirithathai', 'Thudithathai', 'Eduthathai', 'Koduthathai').

Rhetorical Question

Andha oruvan neeyallavaa / Adhai unnidam naan sollavaa

Using questions to express certainty of affection and tender vulnerability.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Amma Enge' (1964) features music composed by S. Vedhachalam, who composed for a selective number of Tamil films during the golden era. Sung impeccably by P. Susheela with lyrics penned by Nalla Thambi, the track is celebrated for combining rhythmic lullaby-like melodies with sharp, reflective lyrics contrasting societal judgment against personal emotion.

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