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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Khajuraho Kanavil

From Oru Naal Oru Kanavu · 2005

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………………………………………A sculpture floats before my eyes in a Khajuraho dream.
Male
Khajuraho kanavil oar sirpam kannil mithakudhaeA secret doorway opens in an unknown corner of the mind.
Ariyathor manathilae ragasiya vaasal thirakudhaeSlowly, a rhythmic musical phrase dances upon the fingertips.
Mella mella viralil thirana theem thanaIn moments of bounding joy, a sweet song resonates.
Thullu kindra pozhuthil iniya keerthanaWithin you, deep within you, I can learn the language of wings.
Naan unnullae unnullae siragin mozhigalai pazhagalaamA sculpture floats before my eyes in a Khajuraho dream.
Male
Khajuraho kanavil oar sirpam kannil mithakudhaeA secret doorway opens in an unknown corner of the mind.
Ariyathor manathilae ragasiya vaasal thirakudhaeKhajuraho, Khajuraho.
Khajuraho khajurahoFireflies seem to run all across my body.
Female
……………………………………………..You perform magic; a warm sun shines upon my chest.
Female
En thegam muluvathum minmini minmini odudhaeA dewdrop drizzles softly inside the flower.
Maayangal seigirai maarbinil sooriyan kayudhaeAlong with dew, a drop of honey oozes endlessly.
Male
Poovinnul pani thuli thooruthu thooruthu thoorudhaeAh ah, praise the pathway of Cupid and celebrate within the body.
Paniyodu thaenthuli ooruthu ooruthu oorudhaeLaalala laalaalaa nanana naanaanaa
Female
Aa aa kaamanin vali paadu udalinil kondaduLight me up just like a lamp.
Male
Laalala laalaalaa nanana naanaanaaAs wind merging into wind, let us float along intimate paths.
Female
Deepam pol ennai nee yetruA sculpture floats before my eyes in a Khajuraho dream.
Kaatrodu kaatraga antharanga vali mithakalamA secret doorway opens in an unknown corner of the mind.
Khajuraho kanavil oar sirpam kannil mithakudhaeKhajuraho, Khajuraho.
Ariyathor manathilae ragasiya vaasal thirakudhaeYour body wriggles and curves like flowing water; shall I submerge in it?
Male
Khajuraho khajurahoShall I hold the lotus blossom with its stem in my hands?
Male
Neeraaga un udal neliyuthu valayuthu moozhgavaaShall I wear you upon my body as if you were my upper garment?
Thandodu thamarai poovinai kaigalil yenthavaaWhen you touch me, shall I ride a mesmerizing wheel of passion?
Female
Melaadai nee yena meniyil naan unnai soodavaPut a stop to the day, weigh the intimacy of the night.
Nee theendum pothilae mohana raatinam aadavaLaalala laalaa lalalala laa laa
Male
Pagaluku thadai podu iravinai edai poduSearch and find where I am hidden in you.
Female
Laalala laalaa lalalala laa laaBefore the moisture dries, let us shower in a rain of blissful melodies.
Male
Engae naan endru nee theduKhajuraho... Khajuraho.
Irangal kayaamal inba raaga mazhai pozhiyalaam
Male
Khajuraho … khajuraho

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Khajuraho Kanavil' from the movie 'Oru Naal Oru Kanavu' (2005) is a highly romantic and sensual duet that captures deep emotional and physical intimacy between lovers. Drawing inspiration from the artistic beauty of Khajuraho sculptures, the lyricist uses vivid imagery—such as fireflies running over the skin, dewdrops dripping into flowers, and wind merging with wind—to symbolize passion, touch, and blissful unity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Khajuraho kanavil oar sirpam kannil mithakudhae

Compares the romantic vision and artistic beauty of the beloved to a sculpted masterpiece from Khajuraho.

Repetition / Reduplication (Adukku Thodar)

En thegam muluvathum minmini minmini odudhae

Words like 'minmini minmini' and 'mella mella' are repeated for rhythmic effect and to emphasize sensory detail.

Simile (Uwamai)

Deepam pol ennai nee yetru

Compares the act of kindling passion or awakening the soul to lighting up a lamp ('Deepam pol').

Rhyme and Alliteration (Edukai / Monai)

Pagaluku thadai podu iravinai edai podu

Rhythmic matching of word endings ('thadai podu' / 'edai podu') creates internal harmony in the second stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Pazhani Bharathi, this track features vocals by Hariharan and Shreya Ghoshal. The song is well known for its fusion of classical music phrasing with sensual rhythm in the film directed by Fazil, starring Srikanth and Sonia Agarwal.

Keep listening

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