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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koila Koila

From Appu · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Hariharan, Anuradha Sriram
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Appu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raathiri veyil tharum velli nilavaeSilver moon that gives warmth in the night
En raaniyin nilai enna velli nilavaeOh silver moon, what is my queen's state?
Un kannathin karaigalai velli nilavaeOh silver moon, the spots upon your cheek
En kanneeril thudaippen velli nilavaeOh silver moon, I shall wipe them away with my tears
Male
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Sadalam ondru paaduthaeA mere corpse is singing here
Idhoo idhoo idhooHere, right here, right here
Uyirai udal thedutheThe body searches for its soul
Ingae ingae ingaeHere, here, here
Ingae ingae ingae…..Here, here, here...
Male
Vittu sendra un moochuThe breath that you left behind
Kaatrinil irukkuIs present in the air
Kaatrinil irukku…uu…..Is present in the air...
Vittu sendra un moochuThe breath that you left behind
Kaatrinil irukkuIs present in the air
Kaatrinil irukku…uu…..Is present in the air...
Andha moochai vaangi vaangiInhaling that breath again and again
Vaangi vaangi vaangi vaanginen..Receiving, inhaling, taking it in continually...
Aavi theigirenMy spirit is eroding away
Female
Un malligayil vaartha poovuThe flower molded like jasmine from you
Maarbukkul kidakkuLies deep within my chest
Maarbukkul kidakkuLies deep within my chest
Andha poovu vaada vaadaAs that flower wilts and wilts
Vaada vaada aavi vaazhuthaeWilts and wilts, my spirit barely survives
Kangal mooduthaeMy eyes are closing shut
Chorus
Raathiri veyil tharum velli nilavaeSilver moon that gives warmth in the night
En raaniyin nilai enna velli nilavaeOh silver moon, what is my queen's state?
Un kannathin karaigalai velli nilavaeOh silver moon, the spots upon your cheek
En kanneeril thudaippen velli nilavaeOh silver moon, I shall wipe them away with my tears
Male
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Sadalam ondru paaduthaeA mere corpse is singing here
Idhoo idhoo idhooHere, right here, right here
Idhoo idhoo idhooHere, right here, right here
Male
Kaayathil kathi kuthaaiLike a knife stab upon an existing wound
Kalanguthu nenjuMy heart is deeply troubled
Kalanguthu nenjae…ae…My heart is deeply troubled...
Kaayathil kathi kuthaaiLike a knife stab upon an existing wound
Kalanguthu nenjuMy heart is deeply troubled
Kalanguthu nenjuMy heart is deeply troubled
Male
Un neelavaanamYour blue-sky
Paarvai podhumGaze alone is enough
Aarum kaayam aarumaeThe wound will heal, it will heal
Jeevan oiyumaeMy life force will find rest
Female
Pidi pattu kannaadithanLike glass squeezed firmly in a grip
Norunguthu usuruMy life is shattering into pieces
Norunguthu usuruuMy life is shattering into pieces
Ennai theendum kaigalThe hands that touch me
Theendum podhuWhen they touch me
Udainthu jeevan serumaeShattering, my soul will unite
Unnai koodumaeIt will join with you
Male
Raathiri veyil tharum velli nilavaeSilver moon that gives warmth in the night
En raaniyin nilai enna velli nilavaeOh silver moon, what is my queen's state?
Un kannathin karaigalai velli nilavaeOh silver moon, the spots upon your cheek
En kanneeril thudaippen velli nilavaeOh silver moon, I shall wipe them away with my tears
Male
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Azhagu mathi vennilaBeautiful silver full moon
Aval manathu kandu vaaGo and discover her heart
Sadalam ondru paaduthaeA mere corpse is singing here
Idhoo idhoo idhooHere, right here, right here
Idhoo idhoo idhooHere, right here, right here

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant, mournful expression of deep separation and heartbreak. The protagonist addresses the night moon as a companion and messenger, pleading with it to check on the well-being of his beloved. He compares his physical state without her to a empty corpse ('sadalam') searching for its departed soul ('uyir'), kept alive only by inhaling the lingering warmth of her memory and breath.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron

Raathiri veyil tharum velli nilavae

Combining 'Raathiri' (night) with 'Veyil' (daytime sunlight/heat) creates a striking oxymoronic image of moonlight offering heat or burning sensation.

Personification

Un kannathin karaigalai velli nilavae

Addressing the moon as having cheeks with spots ('kannathin karaigalai') and offering to wipe them with tears personifies the celestial body into a grieving companion.

Metaphor

Sadalam ondru paaduthae

Describing himself as a 'sadalam' (lifeless body/corpse) singing for its lost soul highlights the intensity of his emotional emptiness.

Simile / Analogy

Pidi pattu kannaadithan norunguthu usuru

Comparing his agonizing pain to glass shattering under pressure ('kannaadithan norunguthu usuru').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raathiri Veyil' is a track composed by Deva for the movie 'Appu' (2000), starring Prashanth and Devayani. The film is a remake of the 1999 Hindi film 'Sadak'.

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