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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavugale Orayiram

From Raja Naagam · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
L. R. Eswari, K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Raja Naagam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………..
Female
Kanavugalae oraayiram kanavugalaeOh dreams, a thousand dreams!
Enthan thalaivanaiTo my beloved,
Pirinthu vaarungalaenPlease leave and go,
Intha thalaiviyaiAnd reunite him
Meendum serungalaenWith this beloved woman!
Female
Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalaeOh memories, blissful memories!
Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalaeOh memories, blissful memories!
Enthan thalaivanai thedi sellungalaenGo in search of my beloved,
Intha thalaiviyinAnd convey to him
Thanimaiyai sollungalaenThis woman's solitude!
Female
Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalaeOh memories, blissful memories!
Female
Aasaiyillaatha mugaththinai paarththuLooking at a face without desire,
Kannae yaen siriththaaiMy darling, why did you laugh?
Avasaramaaga piriththathinaalaeBecause of being separated in haste,
Pennae nee azhuthaaiOh woman, you wept.
Pennae nee azhuthaai….aa…aa….aa….Oh woman, you wept... aa... aa... aa...
Female
Mangala melam ketkumOn which sacred day will the auspicious drums be heard?
Thirunaalum ennaaloOn which divine day will it happen?
Ammi mithiththu paarkkumOn which day will the wedding ritual,
Manakkolam ennaaloWhere she steps on the grinding stone, occur?
Female
Nichayathaampoolam kannoduThe engagement took place through the eyes,
Nettru nadanthathammaaIt happened yesterday, my dear!
Thirumana oorkolam pennullamA wedding procession is what the woman's heart
Karpanai pannuthammaaIs imagining now, my dear!
Female
………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanavugalae Oraayiram from the movie Raja Naagam (1974) is a poignant Tamil song expressing the pain of separation and longing felt by a woman away from her lover. She addresses her own dreams and cherished memories as living messengers, entreating them to search for her beloved and make him understand her deep solitude and grief. The lyrics alternate between despair over their sudden parting and sweet hope for a future marital union. Rich with cultural references, the heroine envisions auspicious wedding rituals like the sounding of traditional music, the engagement of glances, and the symbolic stepping on the ammi stone. Through lyricist Vaali's evocative words, the song captures a delicate blend of grief, nostalgia, and hopeful romantic imagination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalae / Enthan thalaivanai thedi sellungalaen

The song addresses 'Kanavugalae' (dreams) and 'Ninaivugalae' (memories) as living messengers sent to carry messages to her lover.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalae

Repeating 'Ninaivugalae inba ninaivugalae' emphasizes the deep emotional resonance of pleasant past memories.

Cultural Imagery

Ammi mithiththu paarkkum / Manakkolam ennaalo

'Ammi mithiththu paarkkum manakkolam' references 'Ammi Mithithal', a traditional Tamil Hindu wedding ritual where the bride steps on a grinding stone representing firmness and fidelity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raja Naagam (1974) is a Tamil film directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, starring Srikanth and Latha. The music was composed by V. Kumar, who was widely known for his melodious, classical-infused film scores during the late 1960s and 1970s.

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