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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ithu Ilamai

From Ambigai Neril Vanthaal · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. Janaki, Ramesh
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ambigai Neril Vanthaal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Lalalala laala laalalaaTra la la la, tra la la...
Lalalala laala laalalaaTra la la la, tra la la...
Lalalala laalalaa laalalaa laa…Tra la la la... tra la la...
Female
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!
Mella mella mullai chenduSlowly, slowly like a bunch of jasmine flowers
Thulli vizhum unnai kanduSeeing you bouncing and falling
Kai irandil alli konduGathering you up in both hands
Kannangalil mutham sindhuShower kisses on your cheeks
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Female
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!
Chorus
Lalalala… lalalala…Tra la la... tra la la...
Laalalaala laalalaala laalalaa…Tra la la... tra la la...
Male
Kannil kandadhumThe moment I saw you with my eyes
Bodhaiyae pennil thondrudhaeIntoxication arises in the woman
Undhan poo udalYour flower-like body
Aasaiyai nenjil thoondudhaeKindles desire in my heart
Female
Innum thaamadham yenoWhy further delay?
Ennai nee thazhuvuEmbrace me now
Minnum thaenidhazh melaeUpon my shining honey-like lips
Paadal nee ezhudhuWrite a song
Male
Tharai mel alaiyaaiLike a wave upon the shore
Unnai naan thoduvenI shall touch you
Vayal mel mazhaiyaaiLike rain upon a field
Sugamae pozhivenI shall shower happiness
Arugil varuven ennai naan tharuvenI will come close and surrender myself
Female
Idhu pol thirunaalWill a glorious day like this
Ini mel varumo manam pol inaivomEver come again? Let us unite as our hearts desire
Female
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!
Mella mella mullai chenduSlowly, slowly like a bunch of jasmine flowers
Thulli vizhum unnai kanduSeeing you bouncing and falling
Kai irandil alli konduGathering you up in both hands
Kannangalil mutham sindhuShower kisses on your cheeks
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Female
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!
Chorus
Thudhuthudhuthoo… thutthoo…Vocal trumpet sounds...
Thudhuthudhuthoo… thutthoo…Vocal trumpet sounds...
Thudhuthudhuthoo… thudhuthudhuthoo…Vocal trumpet sounds...
Thudhuthudhuthoo…Vocal trumpet sounds...
Female
Thathi thaavudhu paingiliThe green parrot hops and leaps
Methai nee viriSpread out the bed
Pongi paayudhu kaaviriThe River Cauvery flows overflowing
Ingae nee kuliBathe here
Male
Minnum thaamarai poovaeO shining lotus flower
Unnai naan parippenI shall pluck you
Kanna poo nilam melaeUpon the flower-like land of eyes
Anbai naan vidhaippenI shall sow love
Female
Malai mel mugilaaiLike a cloud upon a mountain
Silai mel thugilaaiLike a cloth draped over a statue
Ilai mel kaniyaaiLike a fruit hanging on a leaf
Malar mel paniyaaiLike dew resting upon a flower
Madi mel vizhalaamYou may fall into my lap
Enai nee thodalaamYou may touch me
Male
Azhaikkum kiliyaeO calling parrot!
Inikkum kaniyae amudham tharuvaaiO sweet fruit, grant me nectar!
Male
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!
Female :Mella mella mullai chenduFemale: Slowly, slowly like a bunch of jasmine flowers
Thulli vizhum unnai kanduSeeing you bouncing and falling
Male
Kai irandil alli konduGathering you up in both hands
Kannangalil mutham sindhuShower kisses on your cheeks
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Idamo thanimai sugamo pudhumaiThe place is solitude, and the bliss is novelty
Female
Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamaiThis is youth, youth, youth!
Thanga padhumai padhumai padhumaiA golden statue, statue, statue!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful, sensual romantic duet celebrating youth, beauty, and intimate union. Set in a quiet, solitary setting, two lovers express their passionate attraction towards one another through playful metaphors drawn from nature, comparing love and touch to waves upon the shore, rain over fields, and dew drops resting on flowers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Idhu ilamai ilamai ilamai

The words 'ilamai' and 'padhumai' are repeated sequentially to emphasize the vibrancy of youth and radiant golden beauty.

Simile (Upamai)

Tharai mel alaiyaai / Vayal mel mazhaiyaai / Malar mel paniyaai

Compares touch and pleasure to natural phenomena such as waves on the shore, rain over fields, and dew drops on blossoms.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Minnum thaenidhazh melae

Describes lips as 'minnum thaenidhazh' (shining honey-lips) to evoke sweetness and desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is featured in the 1985 Tamil film 'Ambigai Neril Vanthaal', starring Mohan and Ambika. The soundtrack was composed by the musical duo Sankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Muthulingam.

Keep listening

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