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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovilin Therena

From Paruvathin Vasalile · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Paruvathin Vasalile1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa….aa….aaha….aa….Ah... ah... aha... ah...
Aa….aa….aaha….aa….Ah... ah... aha... ah...
Male
Kovilin thearenaIs she a temple chariot?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Thirukovilin thearenaIs she the chariot of a sacred temple?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Male
Ival kothaiyoIs she Kodhai (Goda/Andal)?
Pasum thogaiyoIs she a lush green peacock feather?
Abhisega poovaiyo…oo….Is she a flower meant for sacred holy bath rituals?
Male
Kovilin thearenaIs she a temple chariot?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Male
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aah…aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male
……………….
Male
Kovai idhzh thaen tharum poocharamoAre her red lips a flower garland yielding honey?
Koondhal mazhai megamoIs her long hair a dark rain cloud?
Devi vizhi manmathan poonganaiyoAre the goddess's eyes Cupid's floral arrows?
Thegam malar solaiyoIs her body a blooming garden of flowers?
Male
Mozhigalo thiraatchiyoAre her words sweet, juicy grapes?
Sirippu vanna mullaiyo sudaroIs her smile colorful jasmine or a radiant flame?
Male
Mangai vanna chittuShe is a maiden like a colorful little bird,
Angam thanga thattuHer slender body is a plate of gold,
Suvai tharum tamizh kadaloIs she an ocean of delicious Tamil poetry?
Male
Kovilin thearenaIs she a temple chariot?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Male
Poojai seiyya aalaiyam sendravaloHas she gone to the temple to offer worship?
Poojai malar devanukkoAre those offering flowers meant for the Almighty Lord?
Aasaiyulla mannavan sannathikkoOr are they for the shrine of her beloved king?
Aaraththiyum enthaukkoAnd for whom is that camphor ritual being performed?
Nalam pera varam tharumThe Lord who bestows blessings for well-being—
Iraivan antha kannano naanoIs it that Lord Krishna, or is it me?
Male
Kanni enthan pakkamWith this young maiden by my side,
Kannil undu sorkkamHeaven itself shines in her eyes,
Ini entha thaamathamo..oo…What reason is there for any further delay?
Male
Kovilin thearenaIs she a temple chariot?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Male
Ival kothaiyoIs she Kodhai?
Pasum thogaiyoIs she a lush green peacock feather?
Abhisega poovaiyo…….Is she a flower meant for sacred holy bath rituals?
Male
Kovilin thearenaIs she a temple chariot?
Devathai varugaiyoIs an angel arriving?
Ezhil devathai varugaiyoIs the beautiful angel arriving?
Ezhil devathai varugaiyoIs the beautiful angel arriving?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses a lover's romantic awe as he beholds his beloved, comparing her ethereal beauty to sacred and natural marvels. He muses whether she is a goddess descending from a temple chariot, an incarnation of Kodhai (Andal), or a divine creation woven from flowers, rain clouds, and sweet Tamil poetry. As she performs her temple worship, the protagonist playfully questions whether her prayers, floral offerings, and devotion are meant for Lord Krishna or for him, ultimately delighting in her presence and the heavenly joy she brings into his life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Mozhigalo thiraatchiyo

Directly equates physical traits to sweet and natural phenomena, such as comparing her hair to rain clouds ('Koondhal mazhai megamo') and her words to sweet grapes ('Mozhigalo thiraatchiyo').

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa Ani)

Ival kothaiyo / Pasum thogaiyo / Abhisega poovaiyo

The lyrics rely heavily on poetic interrogatives ('varugaiyo', 'kothaiyo', 'poovaiyo') to create a sense of wonder and heightened admiration.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

Mangai vanna chittu / Angam thanga thattu

Employs classic Tamil poetic meter with matching initial and second-letter consonant sounds across adjacent lines (e.g., Kovai / Koondhal, Mangai / Angam).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Gangai Amaran for the 1980 film 'Paruvathin Vasalile', this track exemplifies Kannadasan's signature style of blending traditional Tamil devotional imagery (Andal/Kodhai, holy bath rituals, temple chariots) with classical romantic lyricism, effortlessly rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

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