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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mandhiram Idhu

From Aavarampoo · 1992

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aavarampoo1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………………….....
Male
Mandhiram idhu mandhiramThis is a chant, this is a magical spell,
Dhinam dhorum manamodhumThat my mind recites every single day.
Aavi nee ezhil devi nee idhaiYou are my soul, you are the goddess of beauty,
Kettu vara vendumHearing this, you must come to me.
Male
Mandhiram idhu mandhiramThis is a chant, this is a magical spell,
Dhinam dhorum manamodhumThat my mind recites every single day.
Mandhiram idhu aaaa…aaa..This is a chant, ah...
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaaa…(Vocalizing)
Chorus
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Male
Kaamanin poojaikkuFor the worship of Kama, the god of desire,
Poorana kumbamLike a filled sacred pot (Poorana Kumbam),
Thaangiya sevvaazhaiLike a red banana tree that supports,
Naattiya kambamErected like a dancing pillar,
Un mugam theiyaadhaYour face is an unwaning,
Chandhira bimbamImage of the shining moon.
Paarppavar nenjellaamThe hearts of all who see you,
Aasaiyil vembumBurn with intense yearning.
Male
Aalilai oraththilAt the edge of your banyan-leaf-like waist,
Megalai aadumThe jeweled waist-belt sways.
Aanandha sorgaththaiA heavenly bliss of joy,
En vizhi thedumMy eyes search to behold.
Saayalil mayilaeee…..O peacock in grace...
Aaaaa….aaaa…aaaaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Aaaaa…aaa…(Vocalizing)
Saayalil mayilae thaenisai kuyilaeO peacock in grace, O sweet singing cuckoo,
Maalaiyil adikkum manjalin veyilaeO golden sunlight of the evening!
Azhagin azhagae anbae nee vaa…O beauty of beauties, my love, please come...
Chorus
Mandhiram idhu mandhiramThis is a chant, this is a magical spell,
Dhinam dhorum manamodhumThat my mind recites every single day.
Aavi nee ezhil devi nee idhaiYou are my soul, you are the goddess of beauty,
Kettu vara vendumHearing this, you must come to me.
Mandhiram idhuThis is a chant...
Male
Aaaa…aaa.. aa….aaa…..(Vocalizing)
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaaa…(Vocalizing)
Male
Aadaigal illaamalWithout any garments,
Thanimaiyil irundhaaiYou stood in solitude.
Koondhalil yen undhanWhy did you hide your beauty,
Azhaginai maraithaaiBehind your long flowing tresses?
Kaarkuzhal melaadaiO maiden who draped dark clouds of hair,
Porththiya pennaeAs an upper garment,
Seerudai naanthaanaeAm I not your natural fitting dress?
Paaradi kannaeLook at me, my dear!
Male
Bhoomiyil mevaadhuWithout even stepping onto the earth,
Vandhadhu paadhamYour soft feet seem to float.
Poomagal nee kaattumThe subtle gestures you show, flower-like maiden,
Jaadaigal podhumAre more than enough for me.
Nee enai anaippaaiii….You will embrace me...
Aaaaaa…..aaaa….aaaa….aaa…(Vocalizing)
Aaaaa….aaa…(Vocalizing)
Nee enai anaippaai theeyaiyum anaippaaiYou will embrace me and extinguish the fire of passion,
Manmadha malarae thaeninil nanaippaaiO flower of love, soak me in sweet honey!
Sivakkum vizhiyo kaaman deepam…Your reddening eyes are the flame of Kama's lamp...
Male
Mandhiram idhu mandhiramThis is a chant, this is a magical spell,
Dhinam dhorum manamodhumThat my mind recites every single day.
Aavi nee ezhil devi nee idhaiYou are my soul, you are the goddess of beauty,
Kettu vara vendumHearing this, you must come to me.
Male
Mandhiram idhu mandhiramThis is a chant, this is a magical spell,
Dhinam dhorum manamodhumThat my mind recites every single day.
Mandhiram idhu aaaa…aaa..This is a chant, ah...
Aaaa….aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaaa…(Vocalizing)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mandhiram Idhu Mandhiram is a deeply sensual and romantic song from the 1992 Tamil film Aavarampoo. The protagonist passionately expresses his fascination and adoration for his beloved, comparing his devotion to a daily ritual chant (mandhiram). He praises her physical grace, likening her beauty to sacred symbols, the moon, peacocks, and gentle evening sunlight. Throughout the verses, the song weaves classical Tamil poetic tropes with romantic imagery, describing her hair as a veil of dark clouds and her presence as a source of heavenly joy. He beckons her to embrace him and fulfill their mutual desire, describing her enchanting eyes as the light of Kamadeva (the deity of love).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

Chandhira bimbam

Compares the beloved's radiant face to the unwaning reflection of the moon ('Chandhira bimbam').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mandhiram idhu mandhiram

Rhyming of the second consonant 'ndh' in 'Mandhiram' across successive lines.

Classical Metaphor (Aalilai)

Aalilai oraththil

Compares the curve of the waist to a leaf of the banyan tree ('Aalilai'), a traditional sangam poetic motif.

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Saayalil mayilae thaenisai kuyilae

Directly identifying the beloved as a peacock ('mayil') and cuckoo ('kuyil') in graceful movement and melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aavarampoo (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the renowned poet Pulamaipithan. The soundtrack is celebrated for blending folk and classical Indian melodies with expressive orchestral arrangements.

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