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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettaiye Oru Kelvi

From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Ilaya Thalaimurai
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
7 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Naan vaarththaiyil badhil solla mudiyaathu
Anthiyile naan arumpaavaen
Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumbaavaen
Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen
Sorkkaththil anantha virunthaavaen
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
Munthaanai mogaththil panthaadum azhaginai
Kandaalum naan oru kavithai solvaen
Manthaara thendralil mandraadum idaiyinai
Thanthaalum naan adhai thazhvi kolvaen
Ammaadi enakkathu pudhiya kadhai
Aanaalum unnidam iniya suvai
Maanaga piranththu paruvasilai
Neeyaaga tharuvathil thadaigal illai
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
Aththaani mandabam aththaanai kandathum
Thattaamal kadhavugal thirakkindrana
Anantha pookkalil thaen vantha vegathil
Angangal padakena mithakkindrana
Senthoora mugaththinil thuruthuruppu
Semaantha maarbinil paraparappu
Aaramba kadhalin suvai arinthu
Anantham theduthu anai udainthu
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
Rasaththi poonjittu rajavin kaipattum
Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo
Pesaamal iruppathin porul ennavo
Penn paadum perinbam adhuvallavo
Kelaamal kettathu nadakkindrathu
Female :Paaramal paarththathu inikkindrathu
Male :Saeraamal saernthathu suvaikkindrathu
Female :Theeraamal sugam pera azhaikkindrathu
Kettaayae oru kelvi
Naan vaarththaiyil bathil solla mudiyaathu
Amaithiyilae naan arumpaavaen
Male :Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumpaavaen
Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen
Sorkaththil anantha virnthaavaen
……………………
Male :……………………..
You asked me a question
You asked me a question
I cannot answer it in words
In the evening dusk, I become a budding flower
When desire rises, I become strong as iron
In moments of pure joy, I turn as sweet as sugarcane
In heaven, I will be an endless feast
You asked me a question
I cannot answer it in words
The playful beauty fluttering beneath your saree's drape,
if I see it, I will compose a poem
The slender waist swaying in the cool southern breeze,
if you offer it, I will embrace you close
Oh dear, all of this is a brand new story for me
And yet, with you, it tastes so sweet
Born like a graceful deer, a statue of youthful beauty,
when you give yourself freely, there are no limits
You asked me a question
I cannot answer it in words
Upon seeing my beloved, the palace doors
open wide without even a knock
With the sudden rush of honey from countless flowers,
my body floats gently like a boat
A lively spark upon your glowing face,
a restless excitement in your tender chest,
discovering the taste of first love,
breaks like an open dam in search of endless joy
You asked me a question
I cannot answer it in words
Even when the king gently touches his lovely queen,
what does it mean when she stays silent?
What does it mean when she stays silent?
Is that not the supreme bliss a woman celebrates?
What was wished for without asking is happening now
Female: The stolen glances we shared feel so sweet
Male: Becoming one so effortlessly tastes so delightful
Female: It invites us to taste unending pleasure
You asked me a question
I cannot answer it in words
In the quiet silence, I become a budding flower
Male: When desire rises, I become strong as iron
In moments of pure joy, I turn as sweet as sugarcane
In heaven, I will be an endless feast
...
Male: ...
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Female
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Female
Male
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Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic song captures an intimate conversation between lovers where words fall short of expressing their deep physical and emotional intimacy. The central theme revolves around the idea that certain profound feelings and desires cannot be articulated verbally, but must be experienced through touch, emotion, and togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

“Anthiyile naan arumpaavaen / Aasaiyil ezhunthaal irumbaavaen / Sugamo sugam ena karumpaavaen”

Comparing the transformation of feelings to natural and physical objects such as a blooming bud ('arumpaavaen'), iron ('irumbaavaen'), and sugarcane ('karumpaavaen').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Aththaani mandabam aththaanai kandathum / Thattaamal kadhavugal thirakkindrana”

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'th' in consecutive lines for rhythmic flow ('Aththaani' and 'Thattaamal').

Monaif (First-letter Alliteration / Wordplay)

“Kelaamal kettathu nadakkindrathu / Paaramal paarththathu inikkindrathu”

Playful juxtaposition of contrasting words starting with the same sounds ('Kelaamal' vs 'kettathu', 'Paaramal' vs 'paarththathu').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features classic vintage orchestration by M. S. Viswanathan with expressive renditions by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, written by legendary lyricist Kannadasan who excels at subtle erotic imagery embedded in classical Tamil metaphors.

Keep listening

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