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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kothai Un Meni Oliya

From Maayamani · 1964

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Lakshmikanth Piyarilal
Movie name
Maayamani
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
23 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kodhai un maeni oliya
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaa
Poovil amarndha vaani
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyoo
Kalaa mangaiyoo hoi kalaa mangaiyoo
Kodhai un maeni oliya
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaa
Poovil amarndha vaani
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyoo
Kalaa mangaiyoo hoi kalaa mangaiyoo
Oo oo oo hae thaenukku un theenjol inimai
Thenmaangukku inba paadal
Thaenukku un theenjol inimai
Thenmaangukku inba paadal
Kumuthathin idhazh un idhazho
Anbae kalai kumaari
Anbae kalai kumaari
Kann ambu ondrinaalae
Mann ulagai vella nindraai nee
Kalaa mangaiyoo ..kalaa mangaiyoo
Hoi…kalaa mangaiyoo
Aa aa aa haa…aaa…aa….
Hoo oo oo ooo ooo ooo
Hoo ooo kalaignyanaa jodhiyaaga
Manadhil niraindhadhedhuvoo
Kalaignyanaa jodhiyaaga
Manadhil niraindhadhedhuvoo
Adhaiyae ennodu neeyum
Paadi padham panindhaai
Paadi padham panindhaai
Kalaiyil ondraaga maari
Kann munnae thondri nindraai nee
Kalaa mangaiyoo…kalaa mangaiyooo
Kodhai un maeni oliya
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiya
Poovil amarndha vaani
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyoo
Kalaa mangaiyoo…kalaa mangaiyooo hoi
Kalaa mangaiyoo…
Lovely girl, is your body made of glowing light?
Are your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Like Vani (Saraswati) seated upon a lotus,
You are a queen skilled in dance... are you the lady of the arts?
Lady of the arts? Oh, lady of the arts!
Lovely girl, is your body made of glowing light?
Are your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Like Vani seated upon a lotus,
You are a queen skilled in dance... are you the lady of the arts?
Lady of the arts? Oh, lady of the arts!
Oh, your sweet words give sweetness even to honey,
A delightful melody for folk songs,
Your sweet words give sweetness even to honey,
A delightful melody for folk songs,
Are your lips the petals of a water lily?
My love, graceful beauty of art,
My love, graceful beauty of art,
With just a single arrow from your eyes,
You stood ready to conquer the earthly world!
Lady of the arts... lady of the arts,
Oh... lady of the arts!
Aa aa aa haa... aaaa... aa...
Ho oh oh oho oh-oh oh-oh
Ho oh, like a glowing flame to an artist,
Whatever filled the heart,
Like a glowing flame to an artist,
Whatever filled the heart,
Singing that very feeling along with me,
You bowed in reverence,
You bowed in reverence,
Becoming one with the art itself,
You appeared right before my eyes,
Lady of the arts... lady of the arts!
Lovely girl, is your body made of glowing light?
Are your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Like Vani seated upon a lotus,
You are a queen skilled in dance... are you the lady of the arts?
Lady of the arts... lady of the arts! Hoy!
Lady of the arts...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic composition from the 1964 film 'Maayamani' is a poetic celebration of feminine beauty, grace, and artistic devotion. The protagonist praises his beloved as 'Kalaa Mangai' (the maiden embodiment of fine arts), comparing her beauty to divine light, lotus petals, and Goddess Saraswati herself. Her sweet words surpass honey in sweetness, and a mere glance from her eyes feels like a love arrow capable of conquering the world. In the latter half, the song delves into spiritual artistic union, describing how the muse transforms into a radiant light of creative inspiration that fills the heart. Through dance and music, both lovers merge with art and bow in divine homage, celebrating artistic creation as a sacred, transcendental experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaa

Compares the maiden's eyes to fish in cool water ('Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaa') and her lips to lily/lotus petals ('Kumuthathin idhazh un idhazho').

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Poovil amarndha vaani

Directly equates the woman to 'Vaani' (Goddess Saraswati seated on a flower) and a queen of dance.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Kann ambu ondrinaalae / Mann ulagai vella nindraai nee

Exaggerates her charm by stating that a single glance ('kann ambu') can conquer the entire world ('mann ulagai vella nindraai').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Paadi padham panindhaai

Usage of matching sounds across consecutive words such as 'Paadi padham panindhaai' creating rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maayamani' (1964) is notable for having music composed by the celebrated Bollywood composer duo Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, marking one of their rare forays into Tamil cinema, with veteran playback singer P. B. Sreenivas delivering a soulful rendition written by lyricist Kuyilan.

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