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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kayal Vizhi Karigai

From Then Chittugal · 1982

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vijaya Ramani
Details
Then Chittugal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kayalvizhi kaarigaiyaeOh woman with fish-shaped eyes
Kaaviyaththin naayagiyaeOh heroine of epic poetry
Mayil koduththa kazhuththinilaeOn the neck bestowed like that of a peacock
Mayanga vaikkum perazhagaeOh grand beauty that enchants everyone
Male
Oyilaana idai asaiyaAs your elegant waist sways
Ooviyamaai vanthavalaeYou who arrived like a living painting
Tharaiyariyaa nadai nadanthuWalking with feet that barely touch the ground
Thendralena mithappavalaeYou who float like a gentle breeze
Male
Naan nalla rasigan nee nalla rasigaiI am a fine art lover and you are a fine art lover
Ezhunthu vaa aadal unduArise and come, there is a dance performance
Isainthu thaa paadal ondruAgree and render a song
Achcham naanam ingae innum yaenadiWhy are fear and shyness still present here, my dear?
Mayakkamaa thayakkamaa mayakkamaa thayakkamaaIs it enchantment or hesitation, enchantment or hesitation?
Female
Naan nalla rasigai nee nalla rasiganI am a fine art lover and you are a fine art lover
Thodangavaa aadal ingaeShall I begin the dance here?
Thuninthu thaa paadal ondru haaBravely offer a song, haa
Ennai vellum mannan ingae yaaraiyyaaWho is the king here who can conquer me, sir?
Mayakkamaa thayakkamaa mayakkamaa thayakkamaaIs it enchantment or hesitation, enchantment or hesitation?
Male
Vannam oaadum ullamThe heart where vibrant colors run
Kanni unnai vellumThis maiden will win over you
Enthan raagam thaalam pallaviMy melody, rhythm, and refrain
Male
Vannam oaadum ullamThe heart where vibrant colors run
Kanni unnai vellumThis maiden will win over you
Enthan raagam thaalam pallaviMy melody, rhythm, and refrain
Male
Idhu aattamaa thindaattamaaIs this a dance performance or a struggle?
Female :Sangeethamaa santhegamaaFemale: Is it divine music or doubt?
Male :Idhu aattamaa thindaattamaaMale: Is this a dance performance or a struggle?
Female :Sangeethamaa santhegamaaFemale: Is it divine music or doubt?
Male :Mayakkamaa thayakkamaa mayakkamaa thayakkamaaMale: Is it enchantment or hesitation, enchantment or hesitation?
Female :Naan nalla rasigai nee nalla rasiganFemale: I am a fine art lover and you are a fine art lover
Female
Thangapaatham aadumThe golden feet dance
Mangai podum thaalamThe beat set by the young maiden
Aattathil bharathakalai thorkumaaWill the art of Bharatanatyam lose in this dance duel?
Male :Mangai aadumpothuMale: When the young maiden dances
Thanga paatham nogumThose golden feet will ache
Paattukku parathakalai thorkumaeBharatanatyam will yield to the supreme power of song
Female
Idhu aattamaaIs this dance
Male :ThindaattamaaMale: A struggle?
Female :SangeethamaaFemale: Is it music
Male :SanthegamaaMale: A doubt?
Female :Idhu aattamaaFemale: Is this dance
Male :ThindaattamaaMale: A struggle?
Female :SangeethamaaFemale: Is it music
Male :Santhegamaa…..Male: A doubt?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and competitive musical duet between a male and female vocalist who challenge each other in dance and song. The male singer begins by showering poetic praise on the woman's beauty, comparing her grace to a peacock and her light footsteps to a gentle breeze, while urging her to shed her shyness and step up to dance. In response, the female singer confidently accepts the challenge, asserting that her vocal melody and rhythmic footwork will prevail over his singing. Their banter unfolds into a friendly duel exploring whether dance or vocal music reigns supreme.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kayalvizhi kaarigaiyae

Comparing the heroine's eyes to a fish (Kayalvizhi) to depict traditional visual beauty.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thendralena mithappavalae

Comparing her graceful movement to a floating gentle breeze (Thendralena).

Rhyme (Emoni & Edhugai)

Mayakkamaa thayakkamaa mayakkamaa thayakkamaa

Use of matching internal rhyming syllables such as 'Aattamaa' and 'Thindaattamaa' or 'Mayakkamaa' and 'Thayakkamaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Then Chittugal (1982) features music scored by composer Vijaya Ramani, showcasing a classic rhythmic duet format popularized in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Keep listening

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