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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Margazhiyil Kothippu

From Kaalam Bathil Sollum · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kaalam Bathil Sollum1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchiHeat in the month of Margazhi, coldness in Chithirai
Enna intha thavippu enna intha thavippuWhat is this restlessness, what is this restlessness?
Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchiHeat in the month of Margazhi, coldness in Chithirai
Enna intha thavippu enna intha thavippuWhat is this restlessness, what is this restlessness?
Female
Kadhal undaana mayakkamThe intoxication born of love
Kaigal kondaadum nerukkamThe closeness celebrated by hands in embrace
Kaalam ivvaaru irukkumTime will always be like this
Female
Kadhal undaana mayakkamThe intoxication born of love
Kaigal kondaadum nerukkamThe closeness celebrated by hands in embrace
Kaalam ivvaaru irukkumTime will always be like this
Male
Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchiHeat in the month of Margazhi, coldness in Chithirai
Enna intha thavippu enna intha thavippuWhat is this restlessness, what is this restlessness?
Female
Poonguzhalil thodangi paadham varai alakkaTo admire you from your flower-laden hair down to your feet
Nee kidanthu thavikka naanam enai thadukkaWhile you lie restless, my shyness holds me back
Poonguzhalil thodangi paadham varai alakkaTo admire you from your flower-laden hair down to your feet
Nee kidanthu thavikka naanam enai thadukkaWhile you lie restless, my shyness holds me back
Male
Aana mattum ninaiththaen aasaigalai adakkaI tried as much as I could to suppress my desires
Aana mattum ninaiththaen aasaigalai adakkaI tried as much as I could to suppress my desires
Maarkkam illai enakku manmathanai virattaI have no way to drive away the God of Love
Female
Maeni sevvaazhai kuruththuA body soft like the tender shoot of a red banana tree
Mella nogaamal eduththuGently taking it without causing pain
Maalai rajaangam nadaththuRule your kingdom in the night
Male
Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchiHeat in the month of Margazhi, coldness in Chithirai
Enna intha thavippu enna intha thavippuWhat is this restlessness, what is this restlessness?
Male
Naalu vagai gunaththilAmong the four qualities of a woman
Naanam oru nadippuShyness is merely an act
Naalu vagai gunaththilAmong the four qualities of a woman
Naanam oru nadippuShyness is merely an act
Male
Naayaganin anaippilIn the hero's embrace
Naadagangal edharkkuWhy these dramas?
Naayaganin anaippilIn the hero's embrace
Naadagangal edharkkuWhy these dramas?
Female
Yaezhu swaram vilangaAs the seven musical notes resound clearly
Naadhaswaram muzhangaAs the Nadaswaram plays loudly
Yaezhu swaram vilangaAs the seven musical notes resound clearly
Naadhaswaram muzhangaAs the Nadaswaram plays loudly
Female
Maalai idum dhinaththilOn the day of exchanging wedding garlands
Mangai unthan vasaththilThe maiden will be completely yours
Male
Konjam thottaalum nadukkamEven a slight touch causes a tremor
Etta nindraalum varuththamYet staying at a distance brings sorrow
Enna ammaadi thayakkamOh my, what hesitation is this!
Male
Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchiHeat in the month of Margazhi, coldness in Chithirai
Enna intha thavippu enna intha thavippuWhat is this restlessness, what is this restlessness?
Female
Kadhal undaana mayakkamThe intoxication born of love
Kaigal kondaadum nerukkamThe closeness celebrated by hands in embrace
Kaalam ivvaaru irukkumTime will always be like this

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maargazhiyil Kodhippu is a romantic duet from the film Kaalam Bathil Sollum (1980), written by Vaali and composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song uses weather paradoxes—heat in the chilly month of Margazhi (December/January) and coldness in the scorching month of Chithirai (April/May)—to illustrate how love and physical passion disrupt one's perception of climate and state of mind. The lovers share their anticipation, playfulness, and inner conflict as desire battles traditional modesty. The hero urges his beloved to cast aside her bashfulness, while the heroine articulates her trembling hesitation and looking forward to their complete union on their wedding day.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron

Maargazhiyil kodhippu chiththiraiyil kulirchchi

Contrasts cold winter (Margazhi) with heat and hot summer (Chithirai) with coldness to reflect the emotional turbulence caused by romantic passion.

Moanai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadhal undaana mayakkam / Kaigal kondaadum nerukkam / Kaalam ivvaaru irukkum

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic musical flow.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Maeni sevvaazhai kuruththu

Compares the delicate female body to the tender, smooth shoot of a red banana tree.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Konjam thottaalum nadukkam / Etta nindraalum varuththam / Enna ammaadi thayakkam

Rhyming endings of words ('nadukkam', 'varuththam', 'thayakkam') to enhance lyrical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this song showcases the classic duet interplay between legendary singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam. Lyricist Vaali cleverly references traditional Tamil concepts of feminine virtues ('Naalu vagai gunam' - Fear, Modesty, Ignorance, Bashfulness) in a romantic context.

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