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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuththu Vilakkeria

From Pachhai Vilakku · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pachhai Vilakku1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kuthu vilakkeriyaAs the traditional brass lamp glows bright
Koodamengum poo manakkaAnd the scent of flowers fills the entire hall
Methai virithirukkaWith a soft bed spread out in readiness
Melliyalaal kaathirukkaAnd a gentle maiden waiting in solitude
Female
VaaradhiruppaanoWill he not come?
Vanna malar kannan avanHe, who is like Krishna among colorful flowers
SeradhiruppaanoWill he not unite?
Chithira poom paavai thannaiWith this maiden who resembles a picturesque flower doll?
Female
VaaradhiruppaanoWill he not come?
Vanna malar kannan avanHe, who is like Krishna among colorful flowers
SeradhiruppaanoWill he not unite?
Chithira poom paavai thannaiWith this maiden who resembles a picturesque flower doll?
Male
Kannazhagu paarthirundhuHaving watched the beauty of her eyes
Kaalamellaam kaathirundhuHaving waited for so long a time
Pennazhagai rasippadharkkuTo relish and admire her womanly grace
Pedhai nenjam thudi thudikkaWhile her innocent heart beats rapidly in anticipation
Pedhai nenjam thudi thudikkaWhile her innocent heart beats rapidly in anticipation
Male
VaaradhiruppaaloWill she not come?
Vanna malar kanni avalShe, the young maiden like a colorful flower
SeradhiruppaaloWill she not unite?
Thennavanaam mannavanaiWith her king of the South?
Female
Pakkathil pazhamirukkaWith fruits kept right beside him
Paalodu thaenirukkaWith milk and sweet honey present
Unnaamal thanimayilaeWithout consuming them, in deep solitude
Utkaarndha mannan avanThat king who sits lost in thoughts
Utkaarndha mannan avanThat king who sits lost in thoughts
Female
VaaradhiruppaanoWill he not come?
Vanna malar kannan avanHe, who is like Krishna among colorful flowers
SeradhiruppaanoWill he not unite?
Chithira poom paavai thannaiWith this maiden who resembles a picturesque flower doll?
Male
Kalvi endru palliyilaee..aeeeThe beloved daughter who studied
Katru vandha kaadhal magalIn the school of formal education
Kaadhalennum palliyilaeIn the school named love
Kadhai padikka varuvaaloWill she come to read the lesson of love?
Kadhai padikka varuvaaloWill she come to read the lesson of love?
Male
VaaradhiruppaaloWill she not come?
Vanna malar kanni avalShe, the young maiden like a colorful flower
SeradhiruppaaloWill she not unite?
Thennavanaam mannavanaiWith her king of the South?
Female
VaaradhiruppaanoWill he not come?
Vanna malar kannan avanHe, who is like Krishna among colorful flowers
SeradhiruppaanoWill he not unite?
Chithira poom paavai thannaiWith this maiden who resembles a picturesque flower doll?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic romantic duet from the 1964 Tamil film 'Pachhai Vilakku' explores the intense longing, sweet anticipation, and emotional turmoil of two lovers waiting to unite. Set against a traditional sensory backdrop—glowing oil lamps, fragrant flowers, milk, honey, and a soft bed—the song captures the mood of a quiet night filled with romantic expectation. Kannadasan's poetry elegantly draws a parallel between formal academic learning and the emotional education of love. He frames love as a school where the heart learns to read stories of passion and devotion, highlighting that material pleasures like fruits and honey mean nothing without the presence of one's beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Interrogative Refrain)

Vaaradhiruppaano

The repeated phrases 'Vaaradhiruppaano' (Will he not come?) and 'Vaaradhiruppaalo' (Will she not come?) serve as rhetorical questions emphasizing certainty through sweet doubt.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Rupaka)

Kaadhalennum palliyilae

Compares love to a school ('Kaadhalennum palliyilae') where the heart learns lessons of intimacy and companionship.

Sensory Imagery (Olfactory and Visual)

Kuthu vilakkeriya / Koodamengum poo manakka

Paints a vivid setting using the visual of a lit brass lamp ('Kuthu vilakkeriya') and the fragrance of flowers ('poo manakka').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pakkathil pazhamirukka / Utkaarndha mannan avan

The second consonant 'k' matches across successive lines ('Pakkathil' / 'Utkaarndha'), creating rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

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Trivia

'Pachhai Vilakku' (1964), directed by A. Bhimsingh, features music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this song stands out for Kannadasan's exquisite use of classical Tamil romantic imagery combined with deep emotional warmth.

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