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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kothai Un Meni Oliya

From Maayamani · 1964

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Lakshmikanth Piyarilal
Details
Maayamani1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kodhai un maeni oliyaO maiden, is your body made of light?
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaaAre your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Poovil amarndha vaaniGoddess Saraswati seated upon a lotus flower,
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyooYou are the queen skilled in dance... O lady of fine arts!
Kalaa mangaiyoo hoi kalaa mangaiyooO lady of fine arts, hoi, lady of fine arts!
Male
Kodhai un maeni oliyaO maiden, is your body made of light?
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaaAre your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Poovil amarndha vaaniGoddess Saraswati seated upon a lotus flower,
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyooYou are the queen skilled in dance... O lady of fine arts!
Kalaa mangaiyoo hoi kalaa mangaiyooO lady of fine arts, hoi, lady of fine arts!
Male
Oo oo oo hae thaenukku un theenjol inimaiOo oo oo, oh, your sweet words bring sweetness even to honey,
Thenmaangukku inba paadalA joyous melody to the sweet mango groves,
Thaenukku un theenjol inimaiYour sweet words bring sweetness even to honey,
Thenmaangukku inba paadalA joyous melody to the sweet mango groves,
Kumuthathin idhazh un idhazhoAre your lips like the petals of a lotus lily?
Anbae kalai kumaariMy beloved maiden of arts,
Anbae kalai kumaariMy beloved maiden of arts,
Male
Kann ambu ondrinaalaeWith just a single arrow shot from your eyes,
Mann ulagai vella nindraai neeYou stood victorious over the earthly world!
Kalaa mangaiyoo ..kalaa mangaiyooO lady of fine arts... O lady of fine arts,
Hoi…kalaa mangaiyooHoi... lady of fine arts,
Male
Aa aa aa haa…aaa…aa….Aa aa aa haa... aaa... aa....
Hoo oo oo ooo ooo oooHoo oo oo ooo ooo ooo
Male
Hoo ooo kalaignyanaa jodhiyaagaHoo ooo, as an artist or as a radiant light,
Manadhil niraindhadhedhuvooWhatever filled the heart within,
Kalaignyanaa jodhiyaagaAs an artist or as a radiant light,
Manadhil niraindhadhedhuvooWhatever filled the heart within,
Adhaiyae ennodu neeyumThat very divine spirit, along with me, you too
Paadi padham panindhaaiSang and bowed at the sacred feet,
Paadi padham panindhaaiSang and bowed at the sacred feet,
Male
Kalaiyil ondraaga maariBecoming one unified with the divine art,
Kann munnae thondri nindraai neeYou appeared and stood right before my eyes!
Kalaa mangaiyoo…kalaa mangaiyoooO lady of fine arts... O lady of fine arts,
Male
Kodhai un maeni oliyaO maiden, is your body made of light?
Kulir neerin meengal vizhiyaAre your eyes fish swimming in cool water?
Poovil amarndha vaaniGoddess Saraswati seated upon a lotus flower,
Aadal therindha raani nee…. kalaa mangaiyooYou are the queen skilled in dance... O lady of fine arts!
Kalaa mangaiyoo…kalaa mangaiyooo hoiO lady of fine arts... O lady of fine arts, hoi!
Kalaa mangaiyoo…O lady of fine arts...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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