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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maayava Thooyava

From Iravin Nizhal · 2022

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Iravin Nizhal2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa….aa….aa….aah….aa….[Vocal vocalizations]
Aa…..aa….aa…aah….aah…aa…[Vocal vocalizations]
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aah….aa…aa….[Vocal vocalizations]
Female
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaaOh mysterious one, oh pure one, come to adorn me with flowers,
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….Become rain and fall upon me...
Madhavaa yadhavaa kuzhal oodhavaaOh Madhava, oh Yadhava, play your flute,
Idhalodu isaiyaaga vaaCome as music entwined with my lips.
Female
Un marbae en maagaanamYour chest is my grand realm,
Un paarvai en poongaanamYour gaze is my garden of music.
Enthan vaayil theenthaen ooruthaeSweet honey springs forth in my mouth,
En naavaa….un naavaa….kannaa vaa….Is it my tongue or yours? Come, my Krishna...
Female
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaaOh mysterious one, oh pure one, come to adorn me with flowers,
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….Become rain and fall upon me...
Female
Aa….aa…aa…aaraa…aah…aa….[Vocal vocalizations]
Aa….aa…aa…aaraa…aah…aa….[Vocal vocalizations]
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…[Vocal vocalizations]
Female
Pookkalai korkkindra sarangalilaeIn the garlands where flowers are strung together,
Yaekkangal korththival kaaththirukkaShe waits, weaving her deep longings,
Yaakkaiyil aninthida vaaCome to wear me upon your body.
Aanirai thoongidum iravinilaeIn the silent night when the cattle sleep,
Adhiraamal aadida vaa….Come dance gently without disturbing the peace...
Udhiraamal soodida vaa….Come adorn me without letting the flowers wither...
Female
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaaOh mysterious one, oh pure one, come to adorn me with flowers,
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….Become rain and fall upon me...
Madhavaa yadhavaa kuzhal oodhavaaOh Madhava, oh Yadhava, play your flute,
Idhalodu isaiyaaga vaaCome as music entwined with my lips.
Female
Un marbae en maagaanamYour chest is my grand realm,
Un paarvai en poongaanamYour gaze is my garden of music.
Enthan vaayil theenthaen ooruthaeSweet honey springs forth in my mouth,
En naavaa….un naavaa….kannaa vaa….aa…Is it my tongue or yours? Come, my Krishna...
Female
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaaOh mysterious one, oh pure one, come to adorn me with flowers,
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….Become rain and fall upon me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maayavaa Thooyavaa' is a sensual and devotional romantic song rooted in the classic iconography of Lord Krishna and Radha. The lyrics express Radha's profound yearning and intimate devotion, inviting Krishna (addressed as Madhava, Yadhava, and Maayavan) to blend with her soul as music melts into lips or as rain drenches the earth. Through rich Sangam-inspired metaphors of nature, music, and physical closeness, the protagonist surrenders completely to her beloved divine lover.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Internal Rhyme & Edhugai

Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaa

The words 'Maayavaa' and 'Thooyavaa' share second-letter rhyme ('ya') and rhythmic symmetry, giving the line a hypnotic devotional quality.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Madhavaa yadhavaa kuzhal oodhavaa

'Madhavaa' and 'Yadhavaa' share second-letter consonantal harmony ('dha'), enhancing the melodic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagakani)

Un marbae en maagaanam / Un paarvai en poongaanam

Comparing the lover's chest directly to a vast realm ('maagaanam') and his gaze to a song-filled flower garden ('poongaanam').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Yaekkangal korththival kaaththirukka / Yaakkaiyil aninthida vaa

The words 'Yaekkangal' (yearnings) and 'Yaakkaiyil' (on the body) share the second-letter agreement ('kka').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Iravin Nizhal' (2022), directed by R. Parthiban, is recognized as the world's first single-shot non-linear film. Shreya Ghoshal's rendition of 'Maayavaa Thooyavaa' earned widespread critical acclaim for its intricate Classical Carnatic vocal nuances composed by A. R. Rahman.

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