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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karungaccha Rosa

From 19th Century · 2023

Lyricist
Madhurakavi
Singers
Pooja Vaidhyanadhan, Narayanan Ravishankar
Music director
M Jayachandran
Details
19th Century2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Karungkacha rosaa virinjaayeThe black-robed rose has blossomed.
Kadal motha alaiyaa thirinjaayaeYou wandered like a wave crashing against the ocean.
Female
Karutha neer megam varumoo kaathaeWill the dark water cloud come, oh wind?
Karutha neer megam varumooWill the dark water cloud come,
kaathaeOh wind?
Chorus
Kaathae …kaathaeOh wind... oh wind...
Kaathae ..kaathae..Oh wind... oh wind...
Female
Venmegam paadhai melOn the path of white clouds,
Thulum vennilavaeOh brimming white moon!
Thirumanjal nee konduBringing the sacred turmeric,
Varuvaai nilavaeYou will come, oh moon!
Chorus
Nilavae nilavaeOh moon, oh moon!
Nilavae nilavaeOh moon, oh moon!
Male
Kaaya pookal koottamae vandhuWill a crowd of Kaaya flowers come
Kanniyin pennidam paadathooAnd sing near this young girl?
Chorus :PaadathooChorus: Will it not sing?
Male :Mellidaikku mayil inam ellaamMale: For her slender waist, all peacocks
Venmuthu maalaiyae soodathoAdorn a white pearl necklace, won't they?
Chorus :SoodathoChorus: Won't they adorn?
Male :Poongaatru boogambam oonjarippuMale: Soft breeze, earthquake, swinging motion,
Female
Sembaga pombalathilIn the golden coral floral abode,
Boomiyai suttri varumCircling the earth,
Female
Chandhiran en nizhal paadathooDoesn't the moon sing in my shadow?
Pon oli pookalai soodathooDoesn't it wear flowers of golden light?
Punnagai ennidam keladhooDoesn't it ask me for a smile?
Female
Kadhirum neerada varumo kaathaeWill the sun come to bathe in the water, oh wind?
Kadhirum neerada varumo kaathaeWill the sun come to bathe in the water, oh wind?
KaathaeOh wind!
Male
Yelae ottaang kaiyil poo pookuthooHey, flowers bloom in a single hand!
Female
Yen ennai neeyum thaanWhy are you too looking at me
Ippadi pakkuraLike this?
Ulladha maadattum nee meiyuraGrazing the cattle in the mind's yard,
Silirthu pogiren chinna ponnuI shudder with joy, little girl.
Male
Kombi pudikkum veeranae naanaeI am the brave man who holds the bull's horns,
Kambhu suthum pennaal saanjaenaeYet I leaned towards the girl who spins the staff!
Chorus :SaanjaenaeChorus: I leaned over!
Male
Vambhu thumbhu senja veeraayiAs a brave man who picked fights,
Un kannu saadaiyila kavundhenaeI fell for the wink of your eye!
Chorus :KavundhenaeChorus: I fell over!
Male :Oolapaayattum surundaenaeMale: Like a woven palm mat, I curled up!
Female
Kathirum neer aada varumoo kaathaeWill the sun come to bathe in the water, oh wind?
Kathirum neer aada varumooWill the sun come to bathe in the water,
KaathaeOh wind?
Chorus
Kaathae …kaathaeOh wind... oh wind...
Kaathae ..kaathae..Oh wind... oh wind...
Female
Venmegam paadhai melOn the path of white clouds,
Thulum vennilavaeOh brimming white moon!
Thirumanjal nee konduBringing the sacred turmeric,
Varuvaai nilavaeYou will come, oh moon!
Chorus
Nilavae nilavaeOh moon, oh moon!
Nilavae nilavaeOh moon, oh moon!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the period film captures the tender yet passionate romance between two strong individuals. Set against nature's grandeur, the lovers address elements like the wind, moon, and dark clouds to express their overwhelming emotions. The lyrics highlight the contrast between a fierce warrior's strength and his helpless surrender to the beauty and charm of his beloved. Using classical Tamil metaphors and imagery—such as peacocks, pearl necklaces, and the sun bathing in water—the song creates a rustic, atmospheric aura. The recurring invocation of the wind and moon symbolizes auspiciousness, hope, and the timeless nature of their affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Karungkacha rosaa virinjaaye / Kadal motha alaiyaa thirinjaayae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Venmegam paadhai mel / Thulum vennilavae

Comparing the beloved's glowing presence to a brimming white moon on a path of white clouds.

Personification

Chandhiran en nizhal paadathoo

Attributing human traits to the moon by describing it as singing within one's shadow.

Visual Imagery

Mellidaikku mayil inam ellaam / Venmuthu maalaiyae soodatho

Vivid picture of peacocks adorning a slender waist with pearl garlands, expressing immense aesthetic beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is featured in the 2023 period action drama '19th Century' (19-am Nootraandu), composed by veteran Malayalam music director M. Jayachandran. The song beautifully blends traditional folk motifs with classical Indian romantic tropes.

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