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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iravugalai Paatha

From Pattikaattu Ponnaiya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Pattikaattu Ponnaiya1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Iravugalai ss paarthadhunduI have seen nights
Uravugalai haao paarthadhillaiI have not seen intimacy
Thudithaen thavithaenI trembled and yearned
Unai thaan ninaithaenI thought only of you
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Female
Iravugalai paarthadhundu haaI have seen nights
Uravugalai paarthadhillai ss haa haa…I have not seen intimacy
Thudithaen thavithaenI trembled and yearned
Unai thaan ninaithaenI thought only of you
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Male
Nilavum sirikkumThe moon will smile
Thendral midhakkumThe breeze will float
Thalaiyanai irukkumThe pillow will be there
Thazhuvi kondiruppenI will remain embracing it
Nilavum sirikkumThe moon will smile
Thendral midhakkumThe breeze will float
Thalaiyanai irukkumThe pillow will be there
Thazhuvi kondiruppenI will remain embracing it
Female
Thazhuvidum sugangalWondering if I lack
Illaiyae yena naanThe pleasures of an embrace
Iravilae ellaam vizhithu kondiruppenI remain awake throughout the night
Male
AaraadhoWill it not subside?
Female
AriyaadhuUnknown
Male
Theeraadho… hawWill it not end?
Female
TheriyaadhuUnknown
Male
IravugalaiNights...
Female
PaarthadhunduI have seen
Male
UravugalaiIntimacy...
Female
PaarthadhillaiI have not seen
Male
Thudithaen thavithaenI trembled and yearned
Unai thaan ninaithaenI thought only of you
Female
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Male
Sevvidhazh kinnam sindhidumThe cup of red lips spills
Mutham muthamKisses and kisses
Female
Haa…oh…Ah... oh...
Male
Alli iraithaalIf showered generously
En pasi theerum theerumMy hunger will be satisfied
Female
Haa ullavai ellaamAh, everything that exists
Unakkae sondhamBelongs only to you
Azhaithaal varuven aanandha manjamIf you call, I will come to the joyful bed
Male
Aa haa haa…Ah ha ha...
Female
Aa haa haa…Ah ha ha...
Male
Laa laalaa…La la la...
Female
Laa laalaa…La la la...
IravugalaiNights...
Male
PaarthadhunduI have seen
Female
UravugalaiIntimacy...
Male
PaarthadhillaiI have not seen
Female
Thuditthaen thavithaenI trembled and yearned
Unai thaan ninaithaenI thought only of you
Male
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Female
Aa…Ah...
Male
{Kan padum podhuWhen your eyes fall on me
Kadhaigalai kettenI heard stories
Female
Kai padum podhuWhen your hand touches me
Kalaigalai paarthaen} (2)I witnessed fine arts (repeated)
Male
ManadhilirundhuFrom the heart
Madiyinil vizhundhaalIf I fall into your lap
Female
Sugamo sugamenaExperiencing supreme joy
Sorgatthai kaanbenI will see heaven
Male
AaraaroLullaby sound
Female
ArivomaeWe shall know
Male
TheeraadhoWill it not end?
Female
TherivomaeWe shall find out
Male
Iravugalai haao paarthadhunduI have seen nights
Female
Uravugalai ssaa… paarthadhillaiI have not seen intimacy
Male
Thudithaen thavithaenI trembled and yearned
Unai thaan ninaithaenI thought only of you
Female
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Male
Solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiThere are no words to explain
Female
O… solla thaan vaarthaiyillaiOh... there are no words to explain

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Iravugalai Paarthadhundu from Pattikaattu Ponnaiya (1973) is a sensual romantic duet depicting a heroine expressing her sleepless, lonely nights before experiencing love. She describes how she used to hug her pillow through restless nights under the moon, yearning for a love she had never known. The song transitions as her lover reassures her, promising passion and affection that turn her lonely nights into heavenly happiness. Through Kannadasan's evocative poetry and K. V. Mahadevan's memorable tune, the song explores themes of longing, romantic discovery, and tender intimacy, perfectly captured by the expressive vocals of S. Janaki and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Iravugalai paarthadhundu / Uravugalai paarthadhillai

Contrasts having seen many solitary nights (paarthadhundu) with having never experienced true intimate relationships (paarthadhillai).

Alliteration (Monaai)

Thudithaen thavithaen

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound creates a rhythmic sound pattern conveying physical agitation and yearning.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Nilavum sirikkum / Thendral midhakkum / Thalaiyanai irukkum

Lines end with the rhyming suffix '-um' (sirikkum, midhakkum, irukkum), creating a melodic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Sevvidhazh kinnam sindhidum

Red lips are metaphorically described as a chalice or cup ('kinnam') overflowing with kisses.

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Trivia

Pattikaattu Ponnaiya (1973) is a notable Tamil film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by 'Thirai Isai Thilagam' K. V. Mahadevan. This song is widely remembered for S. Janaki's expressive hums and vocal variations alongside S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's smooth rendition.

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