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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

llamai Enum Poongaatru

From Pagalil Oru Iravu · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pagalil Oru Iravu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ilamaiyenum poongaatruThe gentle breeze of youth
Paadiyadhu oru paattuSang a song
Oru pozhudu oru aasaiA moment, a desire
Sugam sugam adhilae orae sugamBliss, bliss, in it lies singular bliss
Male
Ilamaiyenum poongaatruThe gentle breeze of youth
Paadiyadhu oru paattuSang a song
Oru pozhudu oru aasaiA moment, a desire
Sugam sugam adhilae orae sugamBliss, bliss, in it lies singular bliss
Male
Orae veenai orae raagamOne veena, one melody
Male
Thannai marandhuForgetting oneself
Mannil vizhundhuFalling onto the earth
Ilamai malarin meedhuUpon the flower of youth
Thannai izhandha vanduThe bee that lost itself
Male
Dhega sugaththil kavanamFocus on physical pleasure
Kaattu vazhiyil payanamA journey through a wild path
Gangai nadhikkuFor the river Ganges
Mannil anaiyaa…Is there a dam made of earth?
Male
Ilamaiyenum poongaatruThe gentle breeze of youth
Male
Angam muzhudhumAll over the body
Pongum ilamaiOverflowing youth
Idham padhamaai thondraAppearing gently and comfortably
Alli anaiththa kaigalHands that embraced tenderly
Male
Ketka ninaiththaal marandhaalShe intended to ask, but forgot
Kelvi ezhumun vizhundhaalBefore a question arose, she succumbed
Endha udaloWhich body is it?
Endha uravoWhat relationship is it?
Male
Ilamaiyenum poongaatruThe gentle breeze of youth
Male
Mangai inamumWomankind and
Mannan inamumMankind
Kulam gunamum ennaWhat matters lineage or character?
Dhegam thudiththaal kannedhuWhen the body quivers, what stands before the eyes?
Male
Koondhal kalaindha kaniyaeO fruit with disheveled hair!
Konji suvaiththa kiliyaeO parrot fondled and savored!
Intha nilaidhaanIs this state...
Enna vidhiyoo...what kind of fate?
Male
Ilamaiyenum poongaatruThe gentle breeze of youth
Paadiyadhu oru paattuSang a song
Oru pozhudil oru aasaiIn a moment, a desire
Sugam sugam adhilae orae sugamBliss, bliss, in it lies singular bliss
Male
Orae veenai orae raagamOne veena, one melody
Orae veenai orae raagamOne veena, one melody

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ilamaiyenum Poongaatru is a deeply evocative song exploring the irresistible pull of youth, desire, and physical intimacy. Kannadasan poetically depicts how passion intoxicates the human spirit through delicate metaphors of bees, flowers, and unrestrained rivers. The lyrics portray how intense sensory pleasure temporarily erases awareness of social boundaries, moral questioning, and self-restraint, likening youthful passion to a journey through a wild path where physical longing overflows beyond control. Ultimately, the song reflects on the helplessness of human beings when consumed by love and physical desire, framing intimacy as an overwhelming force of destiny. It blends a contemplative tone with sensory rich imagery to highlight both the bliss and the melancholic vulnerability of surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ilamaiyenum poongaatru

Youth is directly compared to a gentle breeze ('Ilamaiyenum poongaatru'), establishing the light yet pervasive atmosphere of desire.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thannai marandhu / Mannil vizhundhu

The second consonant 'nna' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Thannai' / 'Mannil'), creating rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Gangai nadhikku / Mannil anaiyaa…

The lyricist asks rhetorically whether an earthen dam can hold back a surging river like the Ganges, symbolizing uncontrollable youthful passion.

Visual and Tactile Imagery

Koondhal kalaindha kaniyae

Sensory words like 'Koondhal kalaindha kaniyae' (fruit with tousled hair) evoke vivid visual and intimate touch imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for the 1979 film 'Pagalil Oru Iravu', this song is historically famous for its revolutionary acoustic guitar bassline and smooth arrangement, which set a new benchmark for romantic compositions in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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