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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manathile Oru Paattu Duet

From Dhayam Onnu · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dhayam Onnu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manadhilae oru paattuA song resides in the heart
Mazhai varum adhai kettuRain will fall listening to it
Idhu bhoopalam pudhu aalolamThis is a morning melody, a new soothing lullaby
Vizhi poovum malarum kaalai neramThe morning time when the eye-flower blossoms
Male
Manadhilae oru paattuA song resides in the heart
Mazhai varum adhai kettuRain will fall listening to it
Male
Kaatru poovodu koodumThe wind will unite with the flower
Kaadhal sangeetham paadumAnd sing a song of love
Paarthu ennullam thedumLooking, my inner soul searches
Paasam anbodu moodumAffection will cover with love
Male
{Idhayam podaatha{A rhythm that the heart has not played
Layamum kettuListening to that rhythm
Ilamai paadaathaA song of poetry
Kavidhai paattu}(2)That youth has never sung}(2)
Male
Imaigalil pala thaalamMany beats in the eyelids
Isaigalai adhu koorumIt proclaims musical melodies
Iravilum pagalilumDay and night
Unai paarthu paarthuLooking at you continuously
Paarvai vaadumThe vision wilts
Female
Manadhilae oru paattuA song resides in the heart
Mazhai varum adhai kettuRain will fall listening to it
Female
Neeyum nooraandu vaazhaMay you live for a hundred years
Neram ponnaaga maaraMay time turn into gold
Naanum paamaalai podaMay I offer a garland of songs
Tholil naan vanthu soodaAnd come wear it around your shoulders
Female
{Enathu raagangal{My ragas are
Ezhuthum vedhamA scripture being written
Pudhiya dhaagangalNew thirsts
Vizhiyil oorum} (2)Spring forth in the eyes} (2)
Female
Idhu oru suga raagamThis is a pleasant raga
Idhil varum pala baavamMany emotions arise within it
Inimaigal thodarkadhaiSweetness is a continuous story
Ini sogam yedhu serum podhuWhat sorrow can touch us when we join now?
Male
Manadhilae oru paattuA song resides in the heart
Mazhai varum adhai kettuRain will fall listening to it
Female :Idhu bhoopalamFemale: This is a morning melody
Pudhu aalolamA new soothing sound
Male :Vizhi poovum malarumMale: The eye-flower will blossom
Kaalai neramIn the morning time

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Manadhilae Oru Paattu from Dhayam Onnu (1988) is a soulful romantic duet celebrating love through the metaphor of music and nature. The song speaks of an internal melody so enchanting that even the rains fall upon hearing it. The lovers describe their emotional bond using dawn ragas like Bhoopalam, comparing their affection to a poem untouched by age and a sacred scripture written by ragas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Manadhilae oru paattu / Mazhai varum adhai kettu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' in consecutive lines 'Manadhilae' and 'Mazhai'.

Personification

Mazhai varum adhai kettu

Attributing human traits of listening to rain ('Mazhai varum adhai kettu') and singing to the wind ('Kaatru poovodu koodum, Kaadhal sangeetham paadum').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Vizhi poovum malarum kaalai neram

'Vizhi poovum' metaphorically compares the eyes to delicate flowers blossoming at dawn.

Eyaibu (Rhyming Couplets)

Kaatru poovodu koodum / Kaadhal sangeetham paadum

Rhyming endings across consecutive lines such as 'koodum', 'paadum', 'thedum', and 'moodum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dhayam Onnu (1988) features lyrics by the versatile director-lyricist Gangai Amaran. The song cleverly integrates classical music terminology like 'Bhoopalam' (a traditional early morning raga) and 'Layam' (rhythm) into a romantic context.

Keep listening

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