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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kakkai Siraginilae

From Thullatha Manamum Thullum · 1999

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Sujatha
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Thullatha Manamum Thullum1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaakai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers,
Nandhalala – nindhanO Nandhalala! – Your
Kariya niramDark black color
Thondrudhada nandhalalaAppears, O Nandhalala!
Female
Paarkum marangal ellaamIn all the trees I see,
Nandhalala – nindhanO Nandhalala! – Your
Pachai niramGreen color
Thondrudhada nandhalalaAppears, O Nandhalala!
Female
Ketkum oliyil ellaamIn all the sounds I hear,
Nandhalala – nindhanO Nandhalala! – Your
Geetham isaikudhada nandhalalaMusic plays, O Nandhalala!
Female
Theekkul viralai vaithaalIf I place a finger into the fire,
Nandhalala – ninnaiO Nandhalala! – The pleasure
Theendum inbamOf touching you
Thondrudhada nandhalalaArises, O Nandhalala!
Female
Kaakai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers,
Nandhalala – nindhanO Nandhalala! – Your
Kariya niramDark black color
Thondrudhada nandhalalaAppears, O Nandhalala!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poem expresses intense devotional love and omnipresent perception of Krishna (Nandhalala). The poet perceives Krishna's divine presence in every aspect of nature and sensory perception—his dark hue in a crow's feathers, his vibrant green in the trees, his celestial music in every sound, and the ultimate bliss of touching him even in the heat of a flame.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora

Nandhalala – nindhan / Thondrudhada nandhalala

The rhythmic repetition of 'Nandhalala' at the end of lines serves as an ecstatic devotional refrain anchoring the entire poem.

Sensory Imagery

Paarkum marangal ellaam ... Pachai niram

Combines visual (black feathers, green foliage), auditory (music in sound), and tactile (fire touching) imagery to illustrate divine omnipresence.

Paradox / Mystical Metaphor

Theekkul viralai vaithaal ... Theendum inbam

Placing a finger in fire normally causes severe pain, but in state of devotional ecstasy, it translates to the ultimate joy of touching the Divine.

Did you know?

Trivia

Though adapted into modern media including the film 'Thullatha Manamum Thullum' (1999) with music by S. A. Rajkumar, these lyrics are originally from a famous devotional poem composed by the legendary Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramania Bharati.

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