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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kelamal Kaiyile

From Azhagiya Tamil Magan · 2007

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Parthasarathy, Saindhavi
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Azhagiya Tamil Magan2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kelaamal kaiyilae vandhayae kaadhalaeO Love, you came into my hands without me asking for you.
Female
Kettu rasitha paadal ondraiA song I once listened to and relished,
Meendum indru nyaabagam thoondaIs sparking memories once again today.
Kettu rasitha paadal ondraiA song I once listened to and relished,
Meendum indru nyaabgam thoondaIs sparking memories once again today.
Ennai unnai ennithanoI wonder if thinking of you and me,
Ezhuthiyathu polavae thondraIt feels as though it was written for us.
Ennai unnai ennithanoI wonder if thinking of you and me,
Ezhuthiyathu polavae thondraIt feels as though it was written for us.
Male
Kelaamal kaiyilae vanthayae kaadhalaeO Love, you came into my hands without me asking for you.
En perai koovidum un perum kokilamCalling out my name, your name is like a cuckoo bird.
Female
Kokilam kokilam kokilamCuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo,
Nenjilae kaadhalin kaal thadamLove has left its footprint in my heart.
Chorus
……....
Male
Inimel inimel intha naanum naan illaiFrom now on, I am no longer the same person I was.
Poi vaa poi vaa …endraeSaying 'goodbye, goodbye...'
Enakkae vidaigal thanthenI gave farewell to my old self.
Female
Melithai melithai nan irunthenI used to be so light,
Miga elithai engum nadanthenI used to walk everywhere with effortless ease.
Indru unai nenjil..sumanthen naanToday, carrying you in my heart,
Nadanthen nadanthathum vizhunthenI walked, and as I walked, I fell in love.
Male
Koondhal ennum yeni yeri muthamida aasaigal unduThere is a desire to climb the ladder of your tresses to kiss you,
Female
Netri mookku udhadu endru irangi vara padigalum unduAnd there are steps—forehead, nose, and lips—to descend upon.
Male
Kelaamal kaiyilae vandhaayae kadhalaeO Love, you came into my hands without asking.
En perai koovidum un perum kokilam….Calling out my name, your name is like a cuckoo bird...
Female
Paarthum paaraamalae pogum megangalaeO clouds passing by, seeing yet pretending not to see,
Yedho nadakkindrathae kuthithu povathen nillungalenSomething wonderful is happening; why jump and run away? Please stop!
Paarthum paaraamalae pogum megangalaeO clouds passing by, seeing yet pretending not to see,
Female
Kannai kannai simittumIn the simple blink of an eye,
Nodiyil un uruvam maraiyum maraiyumYour image disappears in a second.
Adhanal imaigal vendaam enbenTherefore, I say I do not need eyelids.
Male
Paarvai ondraal unnai alliGathering you with a single glance,
En kannin siraiyil adaippenI shall imprison you inside my eyes.
Adhil nirantharamai nee irukkaSo that you remain there permanently,
Imaigal vendum enbenI say I do need eyelids.
Female
Merku thisaiyil nooki nadanthaalIf I walk facing towards the west,
Iravu konjam seekkiram varumoWill the night fall a little faster?
Male
Thoongum thevai yedhum indriWithout any need to sleep,
Kanavugalum kaigalil vizhumaWill dreams fall directly into my hands?
Female
Kelaamal kaiyilae vanthaayae kaadhalaeO Love, you came into my hands without asking.
En raaman nee enil un kaiyil naan anilIf you are my Lord Rama, I am the squirrel in your hands.
Female
Kokilam kokilam kokilamCuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo,
Nenjilae kaadhalin kaal thadamLove has left its footprint in my heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kelamal Kaiyilae' is a soulful romantic duet expressing the sweet surprise of unexpected love. The protagonists reflect on how love has quietly entered their lives like an unrequested gift, transforming their identities and filling their thoughts. The lyrics capture the poetic paradoxes of romance—how time feels too slow, how eyelids feel like an obstruction when gazing at a lover yet necessary to lock their image inside, and how love makes one feel both weightless and anchored. The imagery transitions from playful biological metaphors (climbing hair like a ladder, descending forehead to lips) to grand natural personifications (asking clouds to stop and watch). Rich with tenderness and devotional affection, the song emphasizes the total surrender and joyous transformation brought about by love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Koondhal ennum yeni yeri muthamida aasaigal undu

Comparing hair to a ladder ('Koondhal ennum yeni') and facial features to steps ('padigalum undu') to express physical intimacy poetically.

Personification

Paarthum paaraamalae pogum megangalae

Addressing the passing clouds as sentient beings who are looking away and asking them to stop and witness love.

Allusion (Mythological reference)

En raaman nee enil un kaiyil naan anil

Referencing the Ramayana myth where the small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge, symbolizing humble devotion and affection.

Repetition / Rhythm (Adukkuthodar)

Inimel inimel intha naanum naan illai

Repetition of words like 'Inimel inimel', 'Poi vaa poi vaa', and 'Kokilam kokilam' to add melodic cadence and emotional emphasis.

Paradox

Adhanal imaigal vendaam enben ... Imaigal vendum enben

The lover first rejects eyelids so as not to lose sight of the beloved, then wants eyelids to lock the image inside forever.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kelamal Kaiyilae' from the 2007 Vijay-starrer 'Azhagiya Tamil Magan' features music composed by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman and vocals by Saindhavi and Haricharan. The song is famed for its minimalist, acoustic melody, soft percussion, and expressive romantic verses penned by Na. Muthukumar.

Keep listening

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