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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madappuravo Illai Manjal

From Imaigal · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Imaigal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Ravivarman ini varuvaanRaja Ravi Varma will come now
Unathazhginai varaivaanTo paint your exquisite beauty
Karuvizhi maragathamani dheepam yaettrumLighting a lamp with dark eyes that shine like emerald gems
Female
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Male
Maman kayirendumBoth hands of your maternal uncle
Thottilai podaWill rock and tie the cradle
Ilamaalai thendral varumThe gentle evening breeze will arrive
Malligai thoova….To shower jasmine flowers...
Male
Maman kayirendumBoth hands of your maternal uncle
Thottilai podaWill rock and tie the cradle
Ilamaalai thendral varumThe gentle evening breeze will arrive
Malligai thoova….To shower jasmine flowers...
Male
Thalir kothum chella kuyilA dear cuckoo pecking tender leaves
Idhu engaloda thanga vayalThis is our golden field
Female :Nadamaadum vanna mayilFemale: A dancing colorful peacock
Siragai thaanam thantha udalA body that gifted its feathers in charity
Male :Udalaa illayadaaMale: Is it merely a body, my dear child?
Idhu en roja thottamThis is my lovely rose garden!
Female
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Male :Ravivarman ini varuvaanMale: Raja Ravi Varma will come now
Unathazhginai varaivaanTo paint your exquisite beauty
Male :Karuvizhi maragathamani dheepam yaettrumMale: Lighting a lamp with dark eyes that shine like emerald gems
Male
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Male
Maarbil sooda varum santhana maalaiA sandalwood garland to adorn the chest
Pudhu vaasam kondu varum senbaga cholaiA grove of champak flowers bringing fresh fragrance
Female :En maarbil sooda varum santhana maalaiFemale: A sandalwood garland to adorn my chest
Pudhu vaasam kondu varum senbaga cholaiA grove of champak flowers bringing fresh fragrance
Male :Un thaayin annanadaaMale: He is your mother's brother, my child
Enakku neethaan mannanadaaTo me, you are the true king, my child
Female
Naan unnai pettreduththaenI gave birth to you
Annan ennai thaththedththaanMy elder brother adopted me
Karunai pongi varumOverflowing with compassion and grace
Enathu kaaval dheivam….My guardian deity...
Male
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Female :Ravivarman ini varuvaanFemale: Raja Ravi Varma will come now
Unathazhginai varaivaanTo paint your exquisite beauty
Male :Karuvizhi maragathamani dheepam yaettrumMale: Lighting a lamp with dark eyes that shine like emerald gems
Female
Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavoIs it a house pigeon or a golden yellow moon?
Male :Aariraraaro aariraraaroMale: Aariraraaro aariraraaro (Lullaby)
Both :Aariraraaro aariraraaroBoth: Aariraraaro aariraraaro (Lullaby)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender Tamil lullaby expressing deep parental and familial affection for a newborn child. The lyrics lovingly adore the baby through rich, poetic imagery, comparing the child to a gentle house pigeon, a radiant yellow moon, and a blooming rose garden. The singer muses that even the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma would be required to capture the infant's matchless beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maadappuraavo illai manjal nilaavo

Compares the child directly to a house pigeon (Maadappuraa), yellow moon (Manjal Nila), and rose garden (Roja thottam).

Allusion

Ravivarman ini varuvaan

Refers to Raja Ravi Varma, the famous Indian painter known for capturing ethereal Indian beauty on canvas.

Imagery (Visual & Olfactory)

Karuvizhi maragathamani dheepam yaettrum

Evokes vivid sensory details such as emerald-like glowing eyes, sandalwood garlands, and fragrant champak groves.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1983 Tamil feature film 'Imaigal' starring Sivaji Ganesan, Saritha, and Y. G. Mahendran. The music for the film was composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali.

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