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Isaimozhi
Madhu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ketka Villaiya

From Madhu · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Ilayaraja, Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Madhu
Movie release year
2006
Lyrics added on
29 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ketkavillaiyaa…
Nenjin osaigal…
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigal
Oomai aanadhaa undhan aasaigal
Narambai theenda naadham veenaiyil
Thaalam podum naanam maeniyil
Saerndhu paadum mauna geetham anbae anbae
Unnai yaen olikkiraai veliyil vaa
Indha naal nalla naal mudivai thaa
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigal
Moochu kaatrilae
Veppam vandhum puriyavillaiyaa
Moodum imaigalil
Unmai unakku vilangavillaiyaa
Dhaagam undaanadhae
Un moga mugam kaattumae
Vaegam yen vandhadhu
Un penmai badhil sollumae
Odum nadhiyil thaanae
Salanam irukkum nee vaa vaa
Vaanam boomi saatchiyaaga vaazhalaam vaa
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigal
Kannai moodinaal
Kodi vannam kadandhu pogudhae
Vinnilae manam
Siragu mulaithu parandhu pogudhae
Enna maatram idhu enakkul poo pookkudhu
Kaattu paadhai idhil aruvi thaenootrudhu
Mannil irukkum podhu pudhaiyal kooda veen thaanae
Ennai thondi puriya vaithaai vaazhalaam vaa
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigal
Oomai illaiyae endhan aasaigal
Narambai theenda naadham veenaiyil
Thaalam podum naanam maeniyil
Serndhu paadum mauna geetham anbae anbae
Kanavugal kalaindhadhae kannilae
Ennai nee kaanalaam unnilae
Ketkavillaiyaa nenjin osaigal
Don't you hear it...?
The sounds of my heart...?
Don't you hear the sounds of my heart?
Have your desires gone silent?
When its strings are touched, music rises from the veena,
Shyness beats a rhythm through the body,
Together we sing a silent song, my love, my love.
Why do you hide yourself? Come out into the open,
Today is a good day, give me your answer.
Don't you hear the sounds of my heart?
Even in the warm breath,
Can't you feel what it means?
In these closing eyelids,
Isn't the truth clear to you?
A deep thirst has awakened,
Your longing face gives it away.
Why has this sudden urge arrived?
Your womanhood will have the answer.
Only in a flowing river
Will there be ripples—come to me, come.
With sky and earth as our witness, come, let us live together.
Don't you hear the sounds of my heart?
Whenever I close my eyes,
Millions of colours drift past me.
High into the sky,
My heart grows wings and flies away.
What a change this is—flowers bloom inside me,
On this forest path, a waterfall pours like honey.
As long as it stays underground, even a treasure is useless,
You dug me out and made me realize my worth; come, let us live.
Don't you hear the sounds of my heart?
My desires are not silent anymore!
When its strings are touched, music rises from the veena,
Shyness beats a rhythm through the body,
Together we sing a silent song, my love, my love.
The hazy dreams have cleared in my eyes,
Now you can see me living within you.
Don't you hear the sounds of my heart?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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Poovaitha Poovaikku1970
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Thendral Vandhu1967
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Endhan Paarvayin1962
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