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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavu Ondru

From Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Vizhi oorangal miga soodaagaThe corners of my eyes grow warm with desire
Edhirpaaraamal sila naalaagaUnexpectedly for the past few days
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Female
Poomagal maelaadai….ee….The flower-like lady's upper garment...
Neliyumo….nagarnthidumo….nazhuvidumoWill it wriggle... move away... or slip down?
Kaamanae vaaraathae kaamanae vaaraathaeOh God of Love, do not approach... do not approach...
Manamae pagaiyaa malarum sumaiyaaIs my own mind my enemy? Is even a delicate flower a burden?
Urakkam kalaikka uruthi kulaikkaDisturbing my sleep and shattering my inner resolve
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Vizhi oorangal miga soodaagaThe corners of my eyes grow warm with desire
Edhirpaaraamal sila naalaagaUnexpectedly for the past few days
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Female
Paarvaigal paarththaanae…..ae….He looked at me with searching glances...
Irudhayam…..idam peyarnthu kirangiduthae….ae….My heart... gets displaced and swoons in intoxication...
Kelvigal kettaanae….kelvigal kettaanaeHe asked questions... he asked questions...
Punitham inimael pudhithaai kedumoWill my sacred purity be ruined anew from now on?
Siraiyai udaikka paravai ninaikkaLike a bird wishing to break its cage and fly free
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Vizhi oorangal miga soodaagaThe corners of my eyes grow warm with desire
Edhirpaaraamal sila naalaagaUnexpectedly for the past few days
Female
Kanavu ondru thondruthaeA dream is emerging within me
Idhai yaarodu sollaTo whom shall I tell this?
Female
Lalala laala laalalaa la laalaala laalaaLalala laala laalalaa la laalaala laalaa
Lalala laala laalalaa la laalaala laalaaLalala laala laalalaa la laalaala laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the delicate inner turmoil and sensual awakening of a young woman who is experiencing love and passion for the first time. Troubled yet mesmerized by unfamiliar romantic dreams and sensations, she wonders whom she can share her secrets with. She feels a rising heat in her eyes and senses her emotional self-control slipping away, leading her to plead with Kamadeva (the God of Love) to spare her from such overwhelming longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Idhai yaarodu solla

The speaker repeatedly asks 'Idhai yaarodu solla' (To whom shall I tell this?) and 'Manamae pagaiyaa malarum sumaiyaa' (Is my mind an enemy? Is a flower a burden?) to emphasize her intense internal confusion and solitude.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Siraiyai udaikka paravai ninaikka

'Siraiyai udaikka paravai ninaikka' compares her yearning mind trying to break free from moral bounds to a bird attempting to break out of its cage.

Alliteration (Moonaai Ani)

Neliyumo….nagarnthidumo….nazhuvidumo

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Neliyumo... nagarnthidumo... nazhuvidumo' creates a flowing, rhythmic, musical movement reflecting the slipping garment.

Personification / Apostrophe

Kaamanae vaaraathae kaamanae vaaraathae

Addressing 'Kaamanae' (the Lord of Love) directly as if he were present, begging him not to awaken her romantic desires.

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Trivia

This track is from the 1983 film 'Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu' directed by C. V. Sridhar. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by S. Janaki, capturing the subtle emotional nuances written by lyricist Vairamuthu.

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