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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayil Iragu

From Maayanadhi · 2020

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Priya Mali
Music director
Raja Bhavatharini
Details
Maayanadhi2020

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mayiliragu pola naanLike a peacock feather, I
Pozhudhum ilankaatrilaeAlways in the gentle breeze
Midhandhu vilaiyaaduvenWill float and play
Unadhu uyir koottilaeWithin the nest of your life.
Female
Oru kodu kolamaagaLike a single line in a kolam design,
Thunai serum thandhai viralaeA father's finger joins in support;
Anbilae arigiren kadavulae…Through this love, I realize God...
Hmmmm….Hmmmm....
Female
Mayiliragu pola naanLike a peacock feather, I
Pozhudhum ilankaatrilaeAlways in the gentle breeze
Midhandhu vilaiyaaduvenWill float and play
Unadhu uyir koottilaeWithin the nest of your life.
Female
Veyil paravum nodiyilThe moment the sun's heat spreads,
Unadhu kaigal visiriYour hands turn into a fan,
Eduthu vandhu veesudhaeBringing cool air to wave over me.
Ularugira enadhu mozhiyaiMy rambling, slurred speech,
Nalla kavidhai kavidhaiyendru pesudhaeYou praise as finest poetry.
Unadhu kurunchirippil vaanamae…In your subtle smile, the sky...
Uravu mazhai pozhindhu pogudhaePours down a rain of affection.
Uzhudhu vidhaitha anbu thaavaramThe plant of love ploughed and sown,
Uyirai tholaithu kondae neeluthaeKeeps extending while giving up its own soul.
Idhayamae… uravilae…Oh heart... in this bond...
Niraiyuthae… hmmmmm…..Fills up... hmmmmm.....
Female
Idhuvaraiyil enadhu ulagamendruUntil now, calling it my world,
Pozhudhum suzhalum anbu dhesamae…Is this realm of love spinning around me daily...
Kumariyena valarndha piragum ennaiEven after growing into a young woman, carrying me
Sumandhu thirivathenna pasamae….And wandering around—what profound affection is this!
Unadhu ninaivu vandhu modhinaalWhen your memories rush in to hit me,
Odhungi viduvadhenna thaaimadiWhy does even a mother's lap step aside?
Ulaga varaipadathin koduppolLike the grid lines on a world map,
Enaku therivathundhan kaaladi…Your footsteps appear to guide me...
Uravilae… uyaruthae…In relationship... rising high...
Uyirkkodi…ohohohooo….The vine of life... ohohohooo....
Female
Mayiliragu pola naanLike a peacock feather, I
Pozhudhum ilankaatrilaeAlways in the gentle breeze
Midhandhu vilaiyaaduvenWill float and play
Unadhu uyir koottilaeWithin the nest of your life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song tenderly captures the profound, unconditional love and bond shared between a father and daughter. Using evocative imagery, the daughter expresses how her father's care makes her feel light and cherished like a feather floating in a breeze, highlighting how his guiding finger and protection feel like the presence of the divine. The lyrics reflect upon childhood memories where her incoherent babbling was celebrated as poetry and his comforting presence protected her from every hardship. Even as she grows into adulthood, his enduring affection remains her ultimate compass, transcending all other comfort in the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Mayiliragu pola naan

Compares the speaker's lighthearted and secure emotional state to a delicate peacock feather floating in a breeze.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Unadhu uyir koottilae

Metaphorically describes the father's life and care as a protective nest nurturiung the daughter's soul.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Uzhudhu vidhaitha anbu thaavaram

Describes love as a cultivated plant sown and nurtured in a field, growing endlessly.

Simile (Uvamai)

Ulaga varaipadathin koduppol / Enaku therivathundhan kaaladi…

Compares the father's footprints to lines on a world map, symbolizing a guide for navigating life.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maayanadhi' is one of the most celebrated emotional tracks in modern Tamil cinema, written by Yugabharathi. Though widely known from Santhosh Narayanan's soundtrack for Kabali (2016) starring Rajinikanth, its poignant lyrics highlighting paternal affection have made it a timeless anthem for father-daughter relationships.

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