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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ketka Villaiya

From Madhu · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Ilayaraja, Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Madhu2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa…Can you not hear...
Male
Nenjin osaigal…The sounds of the heart...
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigalCan you not hear the sounds of the heart?
Oomai aanadhaa undhan aasaigalHave your desires become mute?
Narambai theenda naadham veenaiyilWhen the string is touched, music resonates in the veena,
Thaalam podum naanam maeniyilShyness keeps beat on the body.
Saerndhu paadum mauna geetham anbae anbaeA silent song sung together, my love, my love...
Unnai yaen olikkiraai veliyil vaaWhy are you hiding yourself? Come out!
Indha naal nalla naal mudivai thaaToday is a good day, give your decision!
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigalCan you not hear the sounds of the heart?
Male
Moochu kaatrilaeIn the breath of air,
Veppam vandhum puriyavillaiyaaEven when warmth arrives, do you not understand?
Moodum imaigalilIn closing eyelids,
Unmai unakku vilangavillaiyaaIs the truth not clear to you?
Dhaagam undaanadhaeA thirst has arisen,
Un moga mugam kaattumaeYour passionate face will reveal it.
Vaegam yen vandhadhuWhy has this urgency arrived?
Un penmai badhil sollumaeYour womanhood will answer.
Odum nadhiyil thaanaeOnly in a flowing river,
Salanam irukkum nee vaa vaaWill there be motion; come, come!
Vaanam boomi saatchiyaaga vaazhalaam vaaWith sky and earth as witness, let us live, come!
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigalCan you not hear the sounds of the heart?
Female
Kannai moodinaalWhen closing the eyes,
Kodi vannam kadandhu pogudhaeA million colors pass by.
Vinnilae manamIn the high sky, the mind,
Siragu mulaithu parandhu pogudhaeSprouts wings and flies away.
Enna maatram idhu enakkul poo pookkudhuWhat a transformation this is, flowers are blooming within me!
Kaattu paadhai idhil aruvi thaenootrudhuIn this forest path, a waterfall pours honey!
Mannil irukkum podhu pudhaiyal kooda veen thaanaeWhile buried in the earth, even a treasure is useless,
Ennai thondi puriya vaithaai vaazhalaam vaaYou unearthed me and made me realize, come let us live!
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigalCan you not hear the sounds of the heart?
Female
Oomai illaiyae endhan aasaigalMy desires are not mute!
Male
Narambai theenda naadham veenaiyilWhen the string is touched, music resonates in the veena,
Female
Thaalam podum naanam maeniyilShyness keeps beat on the body.
Male
Serndhu paadum mauna geetham anbae anbaeA silent song sung together, my love, my love...
Female
Kanavugal kalaindhadhae kannilaeDreams dissolved in the eyes,
Ennai nee kaanalaam unnilaeYou can see me within yourself.
Male
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigalCan you not hear the sounds of the heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song portrays the deep, unexpressed love and silent longing between two lovers. It highlights how emotions, though unuttered, can be felt powerfully through physical sensations, heartbeat, and unspoken glances, comparing love to a quiet melody that echoes deeply within.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Narambai theenda naadham veenaiyil

Comparing the touch of love to touching the strings of a Veena instrument to create divine music.

Personification

Thaalam podum naanam maeniyil

Shyness is personified as an entity that keeps rhythm/beat on the body.

Oxymoron

Saerndhu paadum mauna geetham anbae anbae

Combining two opposite concepts 'silent' (mauna) and 'song' (geetham) to express unspoken feelings.

Visual Imagery

Kannai moodinaal kodi vannam kadandhu pogudhae

Evokes vivid visual imagery of a million vibrant colors passing when eyes are closed.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Ketkavillaiyaa' is featured in the 2006 Tamil romantic drama film 'Madhu', directed by Thennavan, starring Gokul and Priyamani in the lead roles.

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