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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalai Thenoorum Kanni Thamizh

From Illara Jothi · 1954

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Leela, A. M. Rajah
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Illara Jothi1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohooo ooo ooooOhooo ooo oooo
Male :Ohooo ooo ooooMale: Ohooo ooo oooo
Female
Kalai thaeanoorumFlowing with artistic sweetness like honey,
Kanni tamil pesuvenI will speak pure Tamil.
Kalai thaeanoorumFlowing with artistic sweetness like honey,
Kanni tamil pesuvenI will speak pure Tamil.
Aaduven paaduvenI shall dance and I shall sing
Endhan aasai raajan arugaeBeside my beloved king,
Endhan aasai raajan arugaeBeside my beloved king.
Male
Sirppi seiyaadhaO golden statue untouched by a sculptor,
Thangachilai annamaeO swan-like maiden,
Sirppi seiyaadhaO golden statue untouched by a sculptor,
Thangachilai annamaeO swan-like maiden,
Odivaa odivaaCome running, come running,
Unnai thaedum devan arugaeBeside the divine lover seeking you,
Unnai thaedum devan arugaeBeside the divine lover seeking you.
Female
{Kaalamum gnyaalamum{Time and the world,
Jodi serndhaePaired together,
Odudhae …vegamaai} (2)Are running... swiftly} (2)
Male
Jeevanum maeniyumIf the soul and the body
Ondraai serndhaalUnite as one,
Odumae.. vegamaaiIt will run... swiftly,
Odumae.. vegamaaiIt will run... swiftly.
Female
Haaaa…aaa….Haaaa...aaa...
Male :Ohoooo…oooMale: Ohoooo...ooo
Female
Oooo….rajaa…rajaa….Oh... king... king...
Vaadidum jeevanai paaraaiLook at this wilting soul,
Vaaraai…rajaa…Come... king...
Deivam illaa aalayam polaeLike a temple without a deity,
Paalaagavoo rajaa…Shall it turn into ruin, O king?
Oooo…rajaa..rajaa….Oh... king... king...
Vaadidum jeevanai paaraaiLook at this wilting soul,
Vaaraai…rajaa…Come... king...
Deivam illaa aalayam polaeLike a temple without a deity,
Paalaagavoo rajaa…Shall it turn into ruin, O king?
Oooo…rajaaa….rajaa…..Oh... king... king...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply romantic and poetic expression of devotion and yearning between lovers. The heroine compares her expression to sweet Tamil art and rejoices in singing and dancing by her beloved king's side. In turn, he praises her divine, natural beauty as a golden statue uncarved by human hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama Alankaram)

Deivam illaa aalayam polae

Compares a life devoid of love to a temple without a deity ('Deivam illaa aalayam polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sirppi seiyaadha Thangachilai annamae

Metaphorically addresses the beloved as a golden statue unshaped by a sculptor ('Sirppi seiyaadha Thangachilai').

Rhyme / Assonance (Edukai)

Kaalamum gnyaalamum

Use of matching second syllables in 'Kaalamum' and 'Gnyaalamum' to create rhythmic harmony.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Odivaa odivaa

Repetition of words like 'Odivaa odivaa' and 'Rajaa... rajaa' to emphasize urgency and affection.

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Trivia

Illara Jothi (1954) featured lyrics by Kannadasan during the early phase of his golden era in Tamil cinema, showcasing his signature style of blending classic Tamil literary metaphors with popular film song rhythms.

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