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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kulavum Yaazh Isaiyae

From Maalaiyitta Mangai · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Maalaiyitta Mangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kulavum yaazh isaiyaeOh, the melodious music of the harp!
Kannan kuzhalisai aavaaiyoWill you become the sweet music of Lord Krishna's flute?
Oodhum kuzhalisai polae ullamLike the melody coming from the played flute, will you...
Kollai kolvaiyoo…Captivate and steal my heart?
Female
Madhi kulavumIlluminated like the cool moon,
Yaazhisaiyae kannanOh music of the harp! Will you become
Kuzhalisai aavaaiyoLord Krishna's flute music?
Oodhum kuzhalisai polae ullamLike the melody coming from the played flute, will you...
Kollai kolvaiyoo…Captivate and steal my heart?
Female
Kalaiyin suvaiyellamAll the richness and flavor of fine arts
Tharum kannan kuzhalisaiyaeIs granted by Lord Krishna's flute music.
Kalaiyin suvaiyellamAll the richness and flavor of fine arts
Tharum kannan kuzhalisaiyaeIs granted by Lord Krishna's flute music.
Female
Alaiyum manadhinilaeWithin a restless, wandering mind,
Inba aruviyaagumaeIt becomes a cascading waterfall of bliss.
En alaiyum manadhinilaeIn my restless, wandering mind,
Inba aruviyaagumae…It becomes a cascading waterfall of bliss...
Female
Madhi kulavumIlluminated like the cool moon,
Yaazhisaiyae kannanOh music of the harp! Will you become
Kuzhalisai aavaaiyoLord Krishna's flute music?
Oodhum kuzhalisai polae ullamLike the melody coming from the played flute, will you...
Kollai kolvaiyoo…Captivate and steal my heart?
Female
Kallum karaiyum kanivaanaEven hard stones will melt at this tender,
Venu gaanamridhamDivine nectar of flute music!
Kallum karaiyum kanivaanaEven hard stones will melt at this tender,
Venu gaanamridhamDivine nectar of flute music!
Female
Ullam urugumThe heart melts away,
Udalum silirkkumThe body thrills with goosebumps,
Thelliya vaanam tharumIt presents a serene, clear blue sky of joy,
Baala gopalanin venugaanamridhamThe divine flute-nectar music of young Gopala!
Female
Vaan ulaavum kaatrilaeIn the breeze that travels through the skies,
Gnyaana inba ootrilaeIn the spring of spiritual wisdom and bliss,
Thaen kalandha paal udanLike sweet honey mixed into pure milk,
Thaan kalandha naadhamaeIs this divine sound that seamlessly blends!
Female
Vaan ulaavum kaatrilaeIn the breeze that travels through the skies,
Gnyaana inba ootrilaeIn the spring of spiritual wisdom and bliss,
Thaen kalandha paal udanLike sweet honey mixed into pure milk,
Thaan kalandha naadhamaeIs this divine sound that seamlessly blends!
Female
Manogaram maevumFull of captivating radiance,
Sugam yaavumBestowing every kind of divine happiness,
Tharum maayavanIs the magical Lord Krishna.
Mogana raagam kettaalWhen listening to the spellbinding Mohana ragam,
Mogam meerumaeDivine longing and ecstasy overflow.
Evarkkum mogana raagam kettaalFor anyone who listens to this enchanting Mohana ragam,
Mogam meerumaeDivine longing and ecstasy overflow!
Female
Madhi kulavumIlluminated like the cool moon,
Yaazhisaiyae kannanOh music of the harp! Will you become
Kuzhalisai aavaaiyoLord Krishna's flute music?
Oodhum kuzhalisai polae ullamLike the melody coming from the played flute, will you...
Kollai kolvaiyoo…Captivate and steal my heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional composition written by Kannadasan expresses profound spiritual ecstasy inspired by the divine flute music of Lord Krishna (Venugaanam). The speaker compares the sweet tones of the traditional Tamil harp (yaazh) to the captivating power of Krishna's flute, wondering if stringed music can ever fully capture the soul-stirring magic of the divine wind instrument. The song highlights how Krishna's music transforms restless minds into waterfalls of bliss, melts even hard stones, bestows goosebumps of divine bliss, and blends as naturally into the air as honey mixes into sweet milk.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Thaen kalandha paal udan

Compares the sweet sound blending into the wind to honey seamlessly mixing with milk ('Thaen kalandha paal udan').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Inba aruviyaagumae

Metaphorically compares divine spiritual happiness overflowing in the mind to a cascading waterfall ('Inba aruviyaagumae').

Hyperbole (Athisayokthi)

Kallum karaiyum kanivaana

Uses poetic exaggeration stating that the divine music is so tender that even unfeeling stones melt upon hearing it.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ullam urugum / Udalum silirkkum

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'U' in consecutive lines ('Ullam' and 'Udalum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maalaiyitta Mangai' (1958) was produced by lyricist Kannadasan himself under his banner Kannadasan Films. The music was composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, and this song in particular highlights the classical beauty of Mohana ragam, famously rendered by actor-singer T. R. Mahalingam.

Keep listening

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