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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jothiye Unai Thediye

From Dhooram Adhigamillai · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Dhooram Adhigamillai1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Jothiyae unai thediyaeOh light, searching for you
Oru saethiyae varumaeA message will surely arrive
Iru kaadhodu thoothaagumaeIt will act as a messenger to both ears
Ival saarbaaga vaadhadumae….And plead on her behalf....
Female
Jothiyae unai thediyaeOh light, searching for you
Oru saethiyae varumaeA message will surely arrive
Iru kaadhodu thoothaagumaeIt will act as a messenger to both ears
Ival saarbaaga vaadhadumae….And plead on her behalf....
Female
Oru siru paravai azhaiththathu uravaiA little bird called out to its love
Iru siragae sumaiyaanathaeBut its own two wings became a burden
Udalinai azhaikkum uyirudan inaiyaTo unite with the soul that calls the body
En uravae thadaiyaanatheMy very relationship became an obstacle
Thazhuvatha podhu kavithaigal YaedhuWhen not embracing, where is poetry?
Tamil kooda thadumaaruthae….Even the Tamil language stumbles....
Female
Jothiyae unai thediyaeOh light, searching for you
Oru saethiyae varumaeA message will surely arrive
Iru kaadhodu thoothaagumaeIt will act as a messenger to both ears
Ival saarbaaga vaadhadumae….And plead on her behalf....
Female
Ilaiyaval manathil pasiththidum ninaivaeOh memory hungering inside the young woman's heart
Siru pirivil niram maarumaaWill your color fade during a brief separation?
Manam unai azhaikkum udalithu nadikkumThe mind calls out to you, while this body puts on a facade
Nalan kadhaiyae arankerumaaWill the grand tale of Nala be staged?
Manamedai meedhe nadamaadum podheEven while dancing on the stage of the mind
Idaivelai pudhir poduthe….The intermission poses a riddle....
Female
Jothiyae unai thediyaeOh light, searching for you
Oru saethiyae varumaeA message will surely arrive
Iru kaadhodu thoothaagumaeIt will act as a messenger to both ears
Ival saarbaaga vaadhadumae….And plead on her behalf....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the deep pain of separation, longing, and emotional distress experienced by a woman yearning for her beloved, whom she addresses as 'Jothi' (Light). She hopes that a message of love will reach his ears and advocate for her feelings. The lyrics use vivid poetic imagery, portraying her wings as heavy burdens and suggesting that even the rich Tamil language stumbles when physical and emotional intimacy are absent. In the latter half, she questions whether short distances can fade love's true colors and references the classic tale of Nala and Damayanti, portraying her internal conflict where her mind acts out love while her body maintains a stoic facade.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Jothiyae unai thediyae

Addressing the beloved as 'Jothi' (Light) compares the lover to an illuminating source of life and guidance.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Jothiyae unai thediyae / Oru saethiyae varumae

The second letter 'thi' in 'Jothiyae' rhymes with 'thi' in 'saethiyae', establishing classic Tamil lyrical harmony.

Personification (Tharkurippetra Ani)

Tamil kooda thadumaaruthae….

Giving human characteristics to the Tamil language by describing it as 'stumbling' due to romantic longing.

Mythological Allusion

Nalan kadhaiyae arankerumaa

Referencing the classical epic romance of King Nala and Queen Damayanti to mirror her own love story.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Manamedai meedhe nadamaadum podhe

Comparing the mind to a theatrical stage ('Manamedai') where feelings dance and perform.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Dhooram Adhigamillai' (1983) is a Tamil film starring Sivakumar and Ambika. Lyrically crafted by Vairamuthu, the song features rich classical Tamil literary devices fused with poignant romantic themes.

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