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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaiyum Kaiyum Modhinal

From Karthigai Deepam · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
L. R. Eswari, Chorus
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Karthigai Deepam1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaiyum kaiyum modhinalIf hand meets hand
Kannum kannum modhinaalIf eye meets eye
Kaiyum kaiyum modhinal thalam varumIf hand meets hand, rhythm is born
Kannum kannum modhinaal kaadhal varumIf eye meets eye, love is born
Kaadhal niraiverinaal inbam varumIf love comes to fruition, bliss arrives
Varum varum inbam varumJoy will come, bliss will arrive
Female
Poovu vandai modhinaalIf a flower meets a beetle
Female
Velvettu panjanaiyumEven a soft velvet mattress
Mullaai thondrumWill feel like thorns
Haan haan haan haan….Haan haan haan haan...
Velvettu panjanaiyumEven a soft velvet mattress
Mullaai thondrumWill feel like thorns
Vidiyum varai thoongaamalWithout sleeping until dawn
Kangal kenjumThe eyes will beg for sleep
Velvettu panjanaiyumEven a soft velvet mattress
Mullaai thondrumWill feel like thorns
Vidiyum varai thoongaamalWithout sleeping until dawn
Kangal kenjumThe eyes will beg for sleep
Solvadharkku muyandraalumEven if one tries to express it
Nenjam anjumThe heart trembles in fear
Solvadharkku muyandraalumEven if one tries to express it
Nenjam anjumThe heart trembles in fear
Suvaiyaana ……..A delicious and sweet...
Manamae minjumHeart filled with sweet longing remains

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic track from 'Karthigai Deepam' poetically explores the origin and sensations of romantic love. It begins with simple natural physics and metaphors: clapping hands produces rhythm, while meeting eyes sparks love. When love is fulfilled, it yields ultimate bliss. The latter half illustrates the sweet agony and restlessness of love, where longing turns even a soft velvet bed into a bed of thorns, keeping the lover awake till dawn with a shy, fearful heart unable to voice its deep desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Kaiyum kaiyum modhinal

Words like 'Kaiyum kaiyum', 'Kannum kannum', and 'Varum varum' are repeated for rhythmic emphasis and poetic flow.

Antithesis (Maranu)

Velvettu panjanaiyum / Mullaai thondrum

The contrast between a soft 'Velvettu panjanai' (velvet bed) feeling like 'Mullai' (thorns) highlights the restlessness caused by romantic longing.

Iyalbu Navitchi Aani (Natural Metaphor)

Poovu vandai modhinaal

Comparing the union of lovers to a flower meeting a honeybee is a classic Sangam-inspired natural motif.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by R. Sudarsanam for the 1965 film 'Karthigai Deepam', the song features lyrics by Aalangudi Somu and vocals by L. R. Eswari along with chorus support. Aalangudi Somu was celebrated for weaving simple folk philosophy into romantic cinema songs.

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