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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maayavi

From Mugamoodi · 2012

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Chinmayi
Music director
K. Krishna Kumar
Details
Mugamoodi2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maayavi maayaviOh illusionist, oh mysterious one
Theeyaagi varuvaanHe will arrive like a blazing fire
Manathodum mugamoodiWearing a mask over his mind
Anithae thaan thirivaanAdorning it, he roams around
Female
Thalai thodum alaiyenaLike a wave that touches the heights
Ezhunthiduvaan…nenjilHe will rise inside the heart
Inaithidum mazhaiyena nanaithiduvaanLike a connecting rain, he will drench completely
Female
Maayavi maayaviOh illusionist, oh mysterious one
Theeyaagi varuvaanHe will arrive like a blazing fire
Manathodum mugamoodiWearing a mask over his mind
Anithae thaan thirivaanAdorning it, he roams around
Female
Bayam moolum neramWhenever fear sparks and rises
Tharai vanthu kaapanHe descends to earth to protect
Thuyar konda peraiThose who are drowning in sorrow
Karai kondu serpaanHe carries them safely to the shore
Female
Kadamai mudinthaalOnce his duty is fulfilled
Paranthiduvaan paaviThe mischievous hero flies away
Ivalin thuyaram maranthiduvaanHe forgets the grief of this girl
Avanoodu ival idhayam tholaiyumHer heart gets lost along with him
Thanimai theruvilIn the lonely street of solitude
Ivalodu avan nizhalum alaiyumHis shadow wanders alongside her
Female
Maayavi maayaviOh illusionist, oh mysterious one
Theeyaagi varuvaanHe will arrive like a blazing fire
Manathodum mugamoodiWearing a mask over his mind
Anithae thaan thirivaanAdorning it, he roams around
Female
Thalai thodum alaiyenaLike a wave that touches the heights
Ezhunthiduvaan…nenjilHe will rise inside the heart
Inaithidum mazhaiyena nanaithiduvaanLike a connecting rain, he will drench completely
Female
Ezhunooru koodiSeven billion human faces
Mugam ingu unduExist in this world
Alagaana ondraiA single beautiful face among them
Evar kanda thunduWho has ever witnessed?
Female
Manathor uruvamAn image formed within the mind
Varaigirathae kaatrilGets drawn in the wind
Kanavaai athuvum karaigirathaeAnd like a dream, it melts away
Kodumai athil kodumai ..yethuvoWhat is the ultimate cruelty among cruelties?
Vizhigalil irunthumIs it having eyes to see
Unnai kaanavae mudiyaathathuvo…Yet being unable to see your face?
Female
Maayavi maayaviOh illusionist, oh mysterious one
Theeyaagi varuvaanHe will arrive like a blazing fire
Manathodum mugamoodiWearing a mask over his mind
Anithae thaan thirivaanAdorning it, he roams around
Female
Thalai thodum alaiyenaLike a wave that touches the heights
Ezhunthiduvaan…nenjilHe will rise inside the heart
Inaithidum mazhaiyena nanaithiduvaanLike a connecting rain, he will drench completely

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maayavi captures the heroine's intense yearning and wonder towards a superhero vigilante who arrives like fire to protect people in distress. She views him as an elusive figure who masks both his face and his emotions, vanishing into thin air as soon as his mission is accomplished. As her heart wanders in lonely streets alongside his memory, she feels deeply attached to this unnamed savior. The song highlights her emotional predicament: out of seven billion faces on Earth, she cannot see the face of the man she loves, making her sight feel almost useless. It portrays a delicate blend of superhero mythos and romantic longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Theeyaagi varuvaan

Compares the hero's sudden and intense arrival to fire ('Theeyaagi varuvaan').

Simile

Thalai thodum alaiyena

Compares the hero rising in her heart to a ocean wave reaching heights ('Thalai thodum alaiyena').

Hyperbole / Modern Imagery

Ezhunooru koodi

Refers to the global population ('Ezhunooru koodi' = 700 crores/7 billion) to emphasize the rarity and invisibility of her lover's face.

Rhetorical Question

Vizhigalil irunthum / Unnai kaanavae mudiyaathathuvo…

Expresses poetic agony by asking if there is any cruelty worse than possessing eyes yet being unable to see the loved one.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mugamoodi (2012), directed by Mysskin and starring Jiiva, is recognized as one of the early superhero films in Tamil cinema. The soundtrack was composed by K (Krishna Kumar), with lyrics penned by Madhan Karky. This track 'Maayavi' was sung by Chinmayi Sripaada and features subtle orchestral arrangements suited for a superhero romance.

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