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Isaimozhi
Iravin Nizhal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maayava Thooyava

From Iravin Nizhal · 2022

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Iravin Nizhal
Movie release year
2022
Lyrics added on
5 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa….aa….aa….aah….aa….
Aa…..aa….aa…aah….aah…aa…
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aah….aa…aa….
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaa
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….
Madhavaa yadhavaa kuzhal oodhavaa
Idhalodu isaiyaaga vaa
Un marbae en maagaanam
Un paarvai en poongaanam
Enthan vaayil theenthaen ooruthae
En naavaa….un naavaa….kannaa vaa….
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaa
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….
Aa….aa…aa…aaraa…aah…aa….
Aa….aa…aa…aaraa…aah…aa….
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…
Pookkalai korkkindra sarangalilae
Yaekkangal korththival kaaththirukka
Yaakkaiyil aninthida vaa
Aanirai thoongidum iravinilae
Adhiraamal aadida vaa….
Udhiraamal soodida vaa….
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaa
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….
Madhavaa yadhavaa kuzhal oodhavaa
Idhalodu isaiyaaga vaa
Un marbae en maagaanam
Un paarvai en poongaanam
Enthan vaayil theenthaen ooruthae
En naavaa….un naavaa….kannaa vaa….aa…
Maayavaa thooyavaa malar sooda vaa
Mazhaiyaagi enil veezha vaa….aa….
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aah... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aah... Aah... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aah... Aa... Aa...
O magical one, O pure one, come adorn me with flowers,
Become the rain and fall on me...
O Madhava, O Yadava, come play your flute,
Come to my lips as sweet music.
Your chest is my kingdom,
Your gaze is my garden of flowers.
Sweet honey wells up in my mouth;
Is it on my tongue... or yours?... Come, my Krishna...
O magical one, O pure one, come adorn me with flowers,
Become the rain and fall on me... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aara... Aah... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aara... Aah... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aah... Aa... Aa...
In the garlands woven with flowers,
She has woven her longings and waits—
Come drape them over my body!
In the quiet night while the cattle sleep,
Come dance softly without a stir...
Come embrace me without letting me fall...
O magical one, O pure one, come adorn me with flowers,
Become the rain and fall on me... Aa...
O Madhava, O Yadava, come play your flute,
Come to my lips as sweet music.
Your chest is my kingdom,
Your gaze is my garden of flowers.
Sweet honey wells up in my mouth;
Is it on my tongue... or yours?... Come, my Krishna... Aa...
O magical one, O pure one, come adorn me with flowers,
Become the rain and fall on me... Aa...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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