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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Megamae Thoodhaaga Vaa

From Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Thaendralae thaalaatta vaaO gentle breeze, come to sing a lullaby
Ilamai mundhaanaiyaiTo the youthful saree pallu
Male
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Female
Manjal neer vannamaeO turmeric-water colored stream
Konjam nillungalaenPlease wait for a moment
Mannan neeraadum samayamIt is the time the king bathes
Pulli maan kottamae konjam thullungalaenO herd of spotted deer, leap a little
Kannan thaerodum samayamIt is the time Lord Krishna's chariot rides
Naangal kannam thottu pinnal ittuUntil we touch cheeks and braid hair
Vilaiyaadum varaiyilAnd play along
Male
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Male
Chinna vaazhai thanduSeeing the legs that resemble
Ennum kaalai kanduA tender banana stem
Vanna meen koottam thazhuvaA school of colorful fish caress them
Anbu thaenai chindhiSpilling the honey of love
Ennai kaana cholliAsking you to come see me
Andha thaen koodu malaraAs that honeycomb blossoms
Naangal netri pottai maatri konduAs we exchange the sacred bindi on our foreheads
Idhazhaalae inaiyaAnd unite with our lips
Female
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Thaendralae thaalaatta vaaO gentle breeze, come to sing a lullaby
Ilamai mundhaanaiyaiTo the youthful saree pallu
Female
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Male
Konjum maanikkangalPrattling rubies
Sindhum mani muthukkalScattering precious pearls
Undhan sevvaayin azhaguSuch is the beauty of your red lips
Female
Andha kaanikkaigalThose offerings
Undhan kannangalinFrom your glowing cheeks
Tharum pen ennum nilavuGiven by the moon-like maiden
Male
Innum acham enna vetkam ennaWhy fear any longer? Why be shy?
Kannae vaa pazhaguMy darling, come and be intimate
Female
Megamae thoodhaaga vaaO cloud, come as a messenger
Azhagin aaraadhanaiA worship of beauty
Male
Thaendralae thaalaatta vaaO gentle breeze, come to sing a lullaby
Ilamai mundhaanaiyaiTo the youthful saree pallu

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic song from 'Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai' (1978) is an enchanting invocation to nature to witness and participate in the romance between two lovers. The lyrics invite the clouds to act as messengers and the gentle breeze to sing a lullaby, framing the blooming love as a divine worship of beauty. Filled with rich imagery, the song compares the heroine's grace to banana stems, glowing pearls, rubies, and the gentle grace of deer and fish. The poet celebrates intimate moments of togetherness—exchanging forelocks/bindis, sweet playful banter, and union—encouraging the beloved to shed all shyness and fear to embrace the joyful warmth of romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Thoodhu (Cloud Messenger Motif)

Megamae thoodhaaga vaa

A classic Sangam Tamil literary trope where clouds (Megam) and breeze (Thaendral) are addressed as messengers of love.

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

Chinna vaazhai thandu

Comparing smooth legs to a tender banana stem ('Chinna vaazhai thandu'), a traditional poetic metaphor for feminine beauty.

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Konjum maanikkangal Sindhum mani muthukkal

Comparing words and laughter to rubies ('maanikkangal') and pearls ('muthukkal') spilling from red lips.

Ethirukaai / Rhyme & Alliteration

Chinna vaazhai thandu Ennum kaalai kandu

Phonetic harmony produced by matching sounds across lines (e.g., 'Chinna', 'Ennum', 'Vanna').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, 'Megamae Thoodhaaga Vaa' reflects traditional Sangam erotic poetry (Aham genre) adapted seamlessly for late 1970s Tamil cinema, drawing heavy inspiration from Kalidasa's 'Meghaduta' (The Cloud Messenger).

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