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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannadi Ramaiya

From Oru Iravu Oru Paravai · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Iravu Oru Paravai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Vaarungadaa kelungadaaCome on, everyone, listen!
Kalyaana paattu hei heiIt's a wedding song, hei hei!
Male
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Male
Ponnaanganni keerai polaeLike lush water amaranth greens,
Pongum unthan idaiyai kanduSeeing your supple waist overflow with beauty,
mayakkam mayakkam melonguthuDizziness and fascination keep surging up!
Female
Nenaichchaa unakku adhuthaanaaIs that the only thing on your mind?
Neeraada ponaen pinnaadi vanthuWhen I went to bathe, you came behind me,
Ammaadi ammaadiyoOh my goodness, oh my!
Male :Ennaadi nee summayiruMale: Hey girl, stay quiet!
Kalayaanam aagum pinnaalae paaruWait until after marriage, then you'll see!
Male
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Male
Pullaanguzhal raagam polaeLike the melody of a flute,
Ullae pona kaaththu ippoThe breath that went inside...
Analaa varuthae ennaachchuthuNow comes out as fire! What has happened?
Female
Adhuthaan enakkum puriyalaiyaeThat is something even I don't understand!
Sollunga neenga kaththukka venumTell me, I need to learn from you!
Ammaadi ammaadiyoOh my goodness, oh my!
Male
Bhoologamaam kailaasamaamIn this earthly realm and in Kailash,
Enennena undoWhatever wonders exist,
Angellaam povomWe shall journey to all those places!
Male
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!
Female
Thangaththula vairam vachchaaIf a diamond is set in gold,
Angae vittu engae pogumWhere else can it go from there?
Manasum manasum onnaachchuthuOur minds and hearts have become one,
Male
Sugamaa irukku unnai paaththaaLooking at you brings pure bliss!
Pollaatha udambu ennenna ketkkumWho knows what this unruly body will demand!
Ammaadi ammaadiyoOh my goodness, oh my!
Female
Kalyaanamaam vaipogamaamThere will be a grand wedding celebration,
Katcheri melam thappaatha thaalamWith grand musical performances and flawless rhythm!
Male
Kannaadi ramaiyyaaMirror-like Ramaiyya,
Female :Ada killaadi somaiyaaFemale: Oh, clever Somaiya!
Both :Kannaadi ramaiyyaaBoth: Mirror-like Ramaiyya,
Ada killaadi somaiyaaOh, clever Somaiya!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features lovers engaging in lighthearted banter while anticipating their upcoming marriage. The female lead teasingly recounts how her lover follows her around and how his presence stirs intense romantic feelings within her. The male lead playfully comforts her, telling her to remain patient until their formal wedding, after which they will experience endless happiness together. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Kannadasan, the song combines folk-infused rhythms with expressive similes, capturing the playful intimacy, physical attraction, and joyous anticipation of two souls ready to unite.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ponnaanganni keerai polae

Compares the flexibility and beauty of the waist to 'Ponnaanganni' greens ('Ponnaanganni keerai polae').

Metaphor / Analogy

Pullaanguzhal raagam polae

Compares breath entering like flute music and exiting as the heat/fire of passion ('Pullaanguzhal raagam polae... Analaa varuthae').

Metaphor

Thangaththula vairam vachchaa

Uses setting a diamond in gold ('Thangaththula vairam vachchaa') as a metaphor for the complementary dynamic of two lovers.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Edugai)

Kannaadi ramaiyyaa / Ada killaadi somaiyaa

Rhythmic pairing of 'Kannaadi' and 'Ada killaadi' to form a catchy refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1981 film 'Oru Iravu Oru Paravai', this song highlights the vibrant collaboration between Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, lyricist Kannadasan, and vocalists S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela. Its catchy folk-style rhythm and conversational arrangement make it a standout duet of the early 1980s Tamil cinema era.

Keep listening

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