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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Isaiyil thodanguthamma

From Hey Ram · 2000

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ajoy Chakrabarty
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Hey Ram2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Hey hey hey{Hey hey hey
Hey hey.. hey..Hey hey.. hey..
Hey hey hey hey.. hey..ho..ho…} (2)Hey hey hey hey.. hey..ho..ho…} (2)
Male
Isaiyil thodanguthamma..It begins in music..
Viraga naadagamaeThis drama of longing and separation
Vasantham kandathamma..Springtime has been found..
Vaadum vaalibamaeBy the fading youth
Male
Vasantha kolangalaiThe spring decorations
Vaanin devathaigalThe heavenly angels
Chorus :Kandu rasikkaChorus :To watch and enjoy
Male :Vanthu koodivittaarMale :Have gathered together
Chorus :Ingu namakku ho…Chorus :Here for us ho…
Male :Hooo…ooo…Male :Hooo…ooo…
Male
Isaiyil thodanguthamma..It begins in music..
Viraga naadagamaeThis drama of longing
Chorus :Oh thin thin thinChorus :Oh thin thin thin
{Thagathin thin{Thagathin thin
Thaga thin thin} (4)Thaga thin thin} (4)
Male
Vasantham kandathamma..Springtime has been found..
Vaadum vaalibamaeBy the fading youth
Chorus :Oh thin thin thinChorus :Oh thin thin thin
{Thagathin thin{Thagathin thin
Thaga thin thin} (4)Thaga thin thin} (4)
Male
Aah…aaaa….aaaa…aa…Aah…aaaa….aaaa…aa…
Chorus :Jai…ram chandru ki jaiChorus :Victory to Lord Ramachandra
Jai…ram chandru ki jaiVictory to Lord Ramachandra
Male
Theynthu valarumWaning and growing
Thaen nilaavaeSweet honeyed moon
Mannil vaaCome down to the earth
TheynthidaathaUnwaning
Thee kuzhambaagaLike a pool of fiery magma
Olira vaaCome to shine
Male
Vaanaththil….In the sky….
Vaanaththil minnidumShining in the sky
Vairaththin thaaragaiDiamond stars
ThoranangalFestoons and garlands
Bhoomikku konduvaBring them to the earth
Chorus
Aah…aaaa….aaa…aa…Aah…aaaa….aaa…aa…
Male
Isaiyil thodanguthamma..It begins in music..
Viraga naadagamaeThis drama of longing
Vasantham kandathamma..aaahaa…Springtime has been found..aahaa…
Vaadum vaalibamaeBy the fading youth
Male
Aah..aaaa….aaa….Aah..aaaa….aaa….
Male
Naalil paadhiHalf of the day
Irulil pogumPasses in darkness
IyarkkaiyilIn nature
Vaazhvil paathiHalf of life
Nanmai theemaiIn search of good and evil
ThedalilIn pursuit
Male
Uyirgalae…ae….ae….Oh living souls…ae….ae….
Uyirgalae…Living souls…
Uyirgalae…Living souls…
Ulagilae inbaththaiSeeking joy in this world
Thedi thediSearching and searching
Grahathukku vanthathaeHave come to this planet
Male
……………………………..…………………………...
Male
Isaiyil thodanguthamma..It begins in music..
Viraga naadagamaeThis drama of longing
Vasantham kandathamma..Springtime has been found..
Vaadum vaalibamaeBy the fading youth
Male
Vasantha kolangalaiThe spring decorations
Vaanin devathaigalThe heavenly angels
Chorus :Kandu rasikkaChorus :To watch and enjoy
Male :Vanthu koodivittaarMale :Have gathered together
Chorus :Ingu namakku ho…Chorus :Ingu namakku ho…
Male :Hooo…ooo…Male :Hooo…ooo…
Male
Isaiyil thodanguthamma..It begins in music..
Viraga naadagamaeThis drama of longing
Chorus :Oh thin thin thinChorus :Oh thin thin thin
{Thagathin thin{Thagathin thin
Thaga thin thin} (4)Thaga thin thin} (4)
Male
Vasantham kandathamma..Springtime has been found..
Vaadum vaalibamaeBy the fading youth
Chorus :Oh thin thin thinChorus :Oh thin thin thin
{Thagathin thin{Thagathin thin
Thaga thin thin} (4)Thaga thin thin} (4)
Male
Aah…aaaa….aaaa…aa…Aah…aaaa….aaaa…aa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Isaiyil Thodanguthamma from Kamal Haasan's period masterpiece Hey Ram (2000) is a deeply sensual yet philosophically rich composition. Set against the backdrop of intimate human relationships amidst turbulent times, the lyrics paint human desires and romantic longing as a grand cosmic play starting with music. The song contrasts the fleeting nature of youth with the eternal cycles of nature, light, and darkness. In the second stanza, the lyrics dive into existential reflections on human existence, noting how half of nature is shrouded in darkness and half of human life is spent grappling between good and evil, as souls continuously journey to this planet in search of transient happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Viraga naadagamae

Human emotional longing and separation are conceptualized as a theatrical play (Viraga Naadagam).

Contrast / Antithesis

Theynthu valarum Thaen nilaavae / Theynthidaatha Thee kuzhambaaga

Contrasts the gentle waning honey-moon with an unwaning fiery pool of magma, balancing soft beauty with intense passion.

Visual Imagery

Vairaththin thaaragai Thoranangal

Evokes vivid heavenly imagery comparing stars in the sky to diamond garlands.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja and sung flawlessly by Hariharan, this song is set in a Hindustani-influenced raga (Puriya Dhanashree / Pantuvarali framework). The song features prominently in Kamal Haasan's directorial film Hey Ram (2000), underscoring a pivotal romantic sequence between the lead characters Saket Ram and Aparna.

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