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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuthuvilakko Ondru

From Needhiyin Nizhal · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Needhiyin Nizhal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kuthuvilakko ondru velli kudamo renduOne traditional brass lamp, two silver pots,
Motham eduthaal indru enna vilaiyoIf taken all together today, what is the price?
Aa… aa… o… o… aaa…Aa… aa… o… o… aaa…
Female
Lalalala lalaala laalaa laalaaLalalala lalaala laalaa laalaa
Enna vilai thaan solla ennai eduthai mellaTell me the price; you gently embraced me,
Sondham enavae kolla bandham illaiyoTo claim me as your own, isn't there a bond?
Aa… aa…aaAa… aa…aa
Male
O… oo…O… oo…
Female
O… oo…O… oo…
Male
Aa… aa… aaAa… aa… aa
Female
Haaa…Haaa…
Male
Lalalala lalaala laalaa laalaaLalalala lalaala laalaa laalaa
Female
Malligai pookkum maalai naeramIn the evening time when jasmine flowers bloom,
Manmadhan vandhu kaadhil koorumWhat is the mantra that Cupid comes and whispers in the ear?
Mandhiram ennaWhat is that mantra?
Malligai pookkum maalai naeramIn the evening time when jasmine flowers bloom,
Manmadhan vandhu kaadhil koorumWhat is the mantra that Cupid comes and whispers in the ear?
Mandhiram ennaWhat is that mantra?
Male
Adhu thaanae kaadhal adharkaedhu kaavalThat itself is love; what restriction can stop it?
Adhu thaanae kaadhal adharkaedhu kaavalThat itself is love; what restriction can stop it?
Eduthida koduthida ini oru naal ennaTo take and to give, why wait another day?
Initthidum thani idam idhai vida vaerennaWhat else is better than this sweet private place?
Female
Kuthuvilakko ondru velli kudamo renduOne traditional brass lamp, two silver pots,
Male
Motham eduthaal indru enna vilaiyoIf taken all together today, what is the price?
Aa… aa…aaAa… aa…aa
Female
O… oo…O… oo…
Male
Hmm mm mmHmm mm mm
Female
Aa… aa…aaAa… aa…aa
Female
Lalalala lalaala laalaa laalaaLalalala lalaala laalaa laalaa
Male
Thottadhu paadhi thogai maeniYou touched only half of my delicate body,
Vittadhu meedhi vendum vaa nee anjuvadhennaThe rest is left behind; come, why do you fear?
Thottadhu paadhi thogai maeniYou touched only half of my delicate body,
Vittadhu meedhi vendum vaa nee anjuvadhennaThe rest is left behind; come, why do you fear?
Female
Unakkenna vegam thaangaadhu dhegamWhy such haste in you? This body cannot bear it,
Unakkenna vegam thaangaadhu dhegamWhy such haste in you? This body cannot bear it,
Pani thuli vizhundhadhum kodhithidum poo idhuThis flower boils even when a drop of dew falls on it,
Adikkadi thavikkaiyil malar udal novudhuWhen yearning frequently, this flower-like body aches.
Male
Kuthuvilakko ondru velli kudamo renduOne traditional brass lamp, two silver pots,
Motham eduthaal indru enna vilaiyoIf taken all together today, what is the price?
Female
Enna vilai thaan solla ennai eduthai mellaTell me the price; you gently embraced me,
Sondham enavae kolla bandham illaiyoTo claim me as your own, isn't there a bond?
Aa… aa… aaAa… aa… aa
Ho …o… oo… haaaa…Ho …o… oo… haaaa…
Male
Lalalala lalaala laalaa laalaaLalalala lalaala laalaa laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This intimate romantic song from 'Needhiyin Nizhal' uses rich metaphors to express playful intimacy and affection between lovers. The heroine poetically compares her physique to a traditional brass lamp and silver pots, coaxing her lover to value their sacred bond and emotional connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Kuthuvilakko ondru velli kudamo rendu

The song metaphorically compares the female form to sacred and valuable items like a 'Kuthuvilakku' (traditional brass lamp) and 'Velli Kudam' (silver pots).

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thottadhu paadhi thogai maeni / Vittadhu meedhi vendum vaa nee anjuvadhenna

The second consonant 'tt' rhymes across 'Thottadhu' and 'Vittadhu', adding a rhythmic lyricism typical of Vaali's poetry.

Personification

Manmadhan vandhu kaadhil koorum

Manmadhan (the God of Love/Cupid) is personified as arriving during twilight to whisper romantic mantras into the lovers' ears.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by legendary lyricist Vaali for the 1985 film 'Needhiyin Nizhal', starring Sivaji Ganesan and Prabhu. The song stands out for Vaali's signature usage of traditional Tamil metaphors to portray intimate romance delicately.

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