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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanava Idhu Unmaiya

From Salangaiyil Oru Sangeetham · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Salangaiyil Oru Sangeetham1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanavaa idhu unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Azhagae idhu penmaiyaaO beauty, is this true womanhood?
Kanavaa idhu unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Azagae idhu penmaiyaaO beauty, is this true womanhood?
Poovae thaenil nanaindhaayaO flower, did you soak in honey?
Neeyae vandhu inaindhaayaaDid you come yourself and unite with me?
Poovae thaenil nanaindhaayaO flower, did you soak in honey?
Neeyae vandhu inaindhaayaaDid you come yourself and unite with me?
Female
Kanavaa idhu unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Manamae badhil illaiyaaO mind, is there no answer?
Male
Un salangai osai ellaam yaaradiWhom does the sound of your anklets belong to, my dear?
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Adhu endhan peraiListen, my dear, it always sings
Naalum paadum keladiMy name every single day
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Un salangai osai ellaam yaaradiWhom does the sound of your anklets belong to, my dear?
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Adhu endhan peraiListen, my dear, it always sings
Naalum paadum keladiMy name every single day
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Vaazhkkai pogum pokkilae pogudhaeLife drifts along in whatever way it flows
Vaazhga endru solladi vaazhgirenJust say 'live long' and I will live
Azhagae azhagae marukkaadhaeO beauty, beauty, do not refuse me
Jathiyae sudhiyai verukkaadhaeO rhythm, do not detest the musical pitch
Female
Manamae badhil illaiyaaO mind, is there no answer?
Male
Mutham ondru sindhi vitten annamaeI have bestowed a kiss upon you, my swan-like love
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Adhu ullirundhu theeIt ignites a fire from deep within
Valarkkum innumaeAnd will continue to kindle it further
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Mutham ondru sindhi vitten annamaeI have bestowed a kiss upon you, my swan-like love
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Adhu ullirundhu theeIt ignites a fire from deep within
Valarkkum innumaeAnd will continue to kindle it further
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa…
Male
Mannil vaazhndha vaazhkkaiyaeThe life lived on this earth so far
PaadhiyaeIs merely half of what is meant to be
Illai endru povadho meedhiyaeWill the remainder vanish into nothingness?
Mayilae mayilae vara vendumO peacock, peacock, you must come to me
Madiyil urangum varam vaendumI seek the divine blessing to sleep in your lap
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Female
Kanavaa idhu unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Manamae badhil illaiyaaO mind, is there no answer?
Kanavaa idhu unmaiyaaIs this a dream or reality?
Manamae badhil illaiyaaO mind, is there no answer?
Nadanam aada manam thullumThe heart leaps in excitement to dance
Vidhiyai kettaal vidai sollumIf you question fate, it will yield the answer

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poetic track captures the surreal emotion of profound love and togetherness, where the protagonist wonders whether the current joy is a sweet reality or an ethereal dream. Through lush sensory language, the speaker compares the beloved to a flower drenched in honey, a swan, and a peacock, expressing a deep desire for emotional and spiritual union. Musical metaphors—such as comparing their relationship to the harmony between rhythm (jathi) and pitch (sruti)—highlight the deep cultural and artistic resonance of their love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Poovae thaenil nanaindhaaya / Neeyae vandhu inaindhaayaa

The line endings 'nanaindhaaya' and 'inaindhaayaa' create a melodious end-rhyme scheme common in Tamil lyrical poetry.

Musical Metaphor

Jathiyae sudhiyai verukkaadhae

The lyrics metaphorically liken the lovers to 'Jathi' (dance rhythm) and 'Sudhi' (musical pitch/pitch control), emphasizing that love requires perfect artistic harmony.

Uwamai (Anatomy/Avian Metaphor)

Mutham ondru sindhi vitten annamae

Addressing the beloved as 'annamae' (swan) and 'mayilae' (peacock) employs classical Tamil romantic symbolism attributing grace and beauty to avian imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song uses rich artistic terminology derived from Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, such as 'salangai' (anklets), 'jathi' (rhythmic patterns), and 'sudhi' (pitch scale), reflecting Vairamuthu's signature style of blending classical art forms into cinematic poetry.

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