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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mathanorsavam Rathiyoduthan

From Sathurangam · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sathurangam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Madhanoorchavam rathiyodu thaanThe festival of Lord Manmatha is indeed celebrated with Rathi
Rathi deviyoo padhiyodu thaanAnd Goddess Rathi is indeed with her lord and husband
Female :Uyir oviyam unakaaga thaanThis living painting is created only for you
Udal vannamae adharkaaga thaanThe colors of this body are crafted for that reason alone
Male
Meen aadum kannil vizhundhu naan aadavooShall I fall into your eyes where fish dance and play?
Thaen aadum sevvidhazh thannil neeraadavooShall I bathe upon your red lips dripping with honey?
Meen aadum kannil vizhundhu naan aadavooShall I fall into your eyes where fish dance and play?
Thaen aadum sevvidhazh thannil neeraadavooShall I bathe upon your red lips dripping with honey?
Female :Puriyadha penmai idhu poopondra menmai idhuThis is mysterious womanhood, a softness as delicate as a flower
Ponnandhi maalai ennenna leelaiA golden twilight evening; oh, what playful romantic sport!
Male
Madhanoorchavam rathiyodu thaanThe festival of Lord Manmatha is indeed celebrated with Rathi
Female :Rathi deviyoo padhiyodu thaanAnd Goddess Rathi is indeed with her lord and husband
Female
Kaar kaala megam thirandu kuzhalaanadhuGathered monsoon clouds have transformed into long dark tresses
Kanna un kaiyil purandu sathiraadudhuOh Krishna, rolling between your hands, it sways and dances
Kaar kaala megam thirandu kuzhalaanadhuGathered monsoon clouds have transformed into long dark tresses
Kanna un kaiyil purandu sathiraadudhuOh Krishna, rolling between your hands, it sways and dances
Male :Ho oo ooHo oo oo
Alangaara devi ugam adangaatha aasai tharumThis adorned goddess brings unquenchable desire across time
Ondraana neram oru kodi inbamThe moment we become one brings ten million blisses
Male
MadhanoorchavamThe festival of Lord Manmatha
Female :Rathiyodu thaanIs indeed celebrated with Rathi
Male :Rathi deviyooAnd Goddess Rathi
Female :Padhiyodu thaanIs indeed with her lord and husband

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Madhanoorchavam is a poetic romantic duet from the 1978 Tamil film 'Sathurangam', composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Vaali. The song celebrates romantic intimacy through divine imagery, comparing the lovers to Lord Manmatha (the Hindu deity of love) and his consort Rathi, as well as Lord Krishna and his beloved. The couple expresses mutual admiration, passion, and the harmonious union of their minds and bodies. The lyrics rely heavily on sensory imagery—comparing dark hair to monsoon clouds, eyes to darting fish, and lips to honey. Vaali weaves classical imagery into a gentle melisma, creating a timeless expression of marital love where physical beauty and spiritual togetherness culminate in pure joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kaar kaala megam thirandu kuzhalaanadhu

Comparing the heroine's long black hair to dark monsoon clouds ('Kaar kaala megam').

Uvamaiani (Simile)

Puriyadha penmai idhu poopondra menmai idhu

Comparing the gentleness of womanhood to a soft flower using the explicit comparison word 'pondra'.

Iyaibu (Rhyming end words)

Meen aadum kannil vizhundhu naan aadavoo / Thaen aadum sevvidhazh thannil neeraadavoo

Matching ending rhyming sounds in consecutive lines ('aadavoo' / 'neeraadavoo').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Uyir oviyam unakaaga thaan

Describing the person/body as a 'living painting' ('Uyir oviyam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Music director V. Kumar, often nicknamed 'Mellisai Maamani', was renowned for introducing fresh romantic soundscapes in Tamil cinema during the late 60s and 70s. Vaali's lyricism in this song cleverly weaves mythic motifs of Manmatha-Rathi with romantic double entendre, delivered in harmony by legendary singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jayaram.

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