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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathal Nilavey

From Manikuyil · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Arun Mozhi, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manikuyil1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Aasai kanaavae vaazhvae aavalgal theera vaaOh dream of desire, oh life, come to fulfill my longings!
Mani oonjal thaan aada adhan melae naan aadaAs the jeweled swing sways, and I sway upon it,
Ila maalai neram thaanIt is the time of tender evening.
Female
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Aasai kanaavae vaazhvae aavalgal theera vaaOh dream of desire, oh life, come to fulfill my longings!
Male
Yaettil oru paavalan ezhudhaadha kaaviyamAn epic unwritten by any poet in pages,
Naattil oru thoorigai punaiyaadha oviyamA painting unpainted by any brush in the land.
Female
Nee valarkka en kan thaedudhun sondhamMy eyes search for the kinship that you nurture.
Thaen valarkka en vaai paadudhun sandhamMy mouth sings rhythm to nurture sweet honey.
Male
Neeraadum odaiyaeOh stream where one bathes!
Yenakkena kulir saerkkum vaadaiyaeOh northern wind that gathers chill just for me!
Mogam ennaalum ennai vaattudhaePassion torments me forever.
Anbae vaa aa… aa…Come, my love, ah... ah...
Female
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Aasai kanaavae vaazhvae aavalgal theera vaaOh dream of desire, oh life, come to fulfill my longings!
Mani oonjal thaan aada adhan melae naan aadaAs the jeweled swing sways, and I sway upon it,
Ila maalai neram thaanIt is the time of tender evening.
Male
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Female
Naalum unai koovidum kuyilaaga poonguyilLike a cuckoo that calls out to you every day,
Neeyum enai vaattinaal uravaedu boomiyilIf you too torment me, where is a place for love on this earth?
Male
Naan virumbum pon maan thaamarai nenjamThe golden deer I desire has a lotus heart,
Naal muzhukka en mael saaindhida kenjumBegging to lean on me all day long.
Female
Saeraadhu un madiWithout reaching your lap,
Thanimaiyil thoongaadhu poongodiThis delicate flower-creeper cannot sleep in solitude.
Koodum sandhosham indru vaaithadhaeToday, the gathering happiness has been granted!
Anbae vaa aa… aa…Come, my love, ah... ah...
Male
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Aasai kanaavae vaazhvae aavalgal theera vaaOh dream of desire, oh life, come to fulfill my longings!
Female
Mani oonjal thaan aada adhan melae naan aadaAs the jeweled swing sways, and I sway upon it,
Ila maalai neram thaanIt is the time of tender evening.
Male
Kaadhal nilaavae poovaeOh moon of love, oh flower!
Kai meedhu saera vaaCome to join into my hands.
Female :Aasai kanaavae vaazhvae aavalgal theera vaaFemale: Oh dream of desire, oh life, come to fulfill my longings!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaadhal Nilaave Poovae' is a romantic duet from the film Manikuyil (1993) expressing the deep yearning and affection between two lovers. Through tender metaphors involving nature, the moon, cool evening breezes, and gentle swings, the couple articulates their desire for lifelong togetherness and the emotional fulfillment brought by their union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kaadhal nilaavae poovae

Comparing the beloved to the moon ('Kaadhal Nilaave') and a flower ('Poovae').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Yaettil oru paavalan ezhudhaadha kaaviyam / Naattil oru thoorigai punaiyaadha oviyam

The lines end with matching rhyming words 'kaaviyam' and 'oviyam'.

Second Letter Rhyming (Yedhugai)

Yaettil oru paavalan ezhudhaadha kaaviyam / Naattil oru thoorigai punaiyaadha oviyam

The second letter 't' (ட்) matches in 'Yaettil' and 'Naattil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited as unknown in some song listings, 'Manikuyil' (1993) features a soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals rendered by Mano and Uma Ramanan.

Keep listening

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