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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mudhal Iravu Muzhu Nilavu

From Engal Kural · 1985

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Engal Kural1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aa…aa…aa….aa…Aaa...aa...aa...aa....aa...
Mudhal iravu…..muzhu nilavuFirst night... full moon
Paalum kondu….pazhamum konduBringing milk... and bringing fruit
Female
Pudhu kavithai valam kozhikkumWhere new poetry blooms abundantly
Maeni ennum puththagaththaThe book called the human body
Saela maraikkuthaamIt is said the saree conceals it
Adhan ullirukkum thaththuvaththaiThe philosophy contained within it
Kaaliyavan padippatharkkaeFor the man to read
Manam mudiththathaam thirumanam mudiththathaaamIt is said they united their hearts and tied the marriage knot
Iru manam thaviththathaamIt is said two hearts yearned in anticipation
Female
Mudhal iravu…..muzhu nilavu…..First night... full moon...
Male
Podu hoi hoi hoi hoi………Shout hoi hoi hoi hoi...
Female
Paavai aval maeniyengumAll over her maiden body
Paththu viral yaaththiraiyaamTen fingers go on a journey
Yaaththiraiyin thollaiyilaeIn the hassle of that journey
Ponathellaam niththiraiyaamAll sleep vanished
Female
Kaalilitta kolusukoodaEven the anklet worn on her foot
Urasaiyilae aaniyathaamFeels like a nail when it rubs against her
Kaalilitta kolusukoodaEven the anklet worn on her foot
Urasaiyilae aaniyathaamFeels like a nail when it rubs against her
Female
Kuththi vantha mookkuththiyai thirudi vachchaThe nose ring she came wearing
Natchaththiram endru solluvaalShe will claim it is a stolen star
Katti vantha pattu saela kattumpothuWhen draping the silk saree she brought along
Uruththumendru…..thanananannaa….Saying it feels uncomfortable... thanananannaa...
Female
Mayakkaththa varavazhaikkumInviting an intoxicating trance
Maayavaram malligaippooThe Mayavaram jasmine flower
Aarambaththil palapalakkumGleaming brightly in the beginning
Aravanaippil polivizhakkumLosing its luster in the intimate embrace
Female
Udhirvathu poochcharamaamWhat falls off is the flower garland
Udaivathu valaiyalgalaamWhat breaks are the bangles
Udhirvathu poochcharamaamWhat falls off is the flower garland
Udaivathu valaiyalgalaamWhat breaks are the bangles
Female
Alangariththu kattilukkuDecorating the bed
Konjalgalai kettathil kilukiluppaamThere is a jingling sound upon hearing intimate whispers
Aval madhikkum aadaigalaiThe clothes that she cherishes
Avamathippil verattuvathu aadavar kunamaamIt is the nature of men to cast them aside in disrespect
Female
Mudhal iravu…..muzhu nilavuFirst night... full moon
Paalum kondu….pazhamum konduBringing milk... and bringing fruit
Female
Pudhu kavithai valam kozhikkumWhere new poetry blooms abundantly
Maeni ennum puththagaththaThe book called the human body
Saela maraikkuthaamIt is said the saree conceals it
Adhan ullirukkum thaththuvaththaiThe philosophy contained within it
Kaaliyavan padippatharkkaeFor the man to read
Manam mudiththathaam thirumanam mudiththathaaamIt is said they united their hearts and tied the marriage knot
Iru manam thaviththathaamIt is said two hearts yearned in anticipation
Thirumanam mudiththathaaam iru manam thaviththathaamTied the marriage knot, two hearts yearned in anticipation

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song vividly describes the sensory and emotional experience of a newly married couple's wedding night (first night). Using poetic metaphors, T. Rajendar compares the bride's body to a book rich with philosophy and poetry, waiting to be read by her husband. The lyrics capture the intimacy, shyness, nervous energy, and passionate encounters of the night, highlighting details like the jingling bangles, falling flower strands, and delicate ornaments. The overall narrative blends classical Tamil poetic imagery with romantic playfulness, depicting the union of two souls transitioning into married life amidst traditional customs like offering milk and fruits.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maeni ennum puththagaththa

Comparing the bride's body ('Maeni') directly to a book ('Puththagam') containing deep philosophy ('Thaththuvam').

Rhyme (Etukai)

Udhirvathu poochcharamaam / Udaivathu valaiyalgalaam

The second letter rhyming ('di') between 'Udhirvathu' and 'Udaivathu' creates rhythmic harmony.

Visual Imagery

Paavai aval maeniyengum / Paththu viral yaaththiraiyaam

Depicting the husband's caress metaphorically as a journey of ten fingers across the maiden's body.

Hyperbole (Uyirvu Navirtchi)

Natchaththiram endru solluvaal

Comparing a tiny sparkling nose ring to a star stolen from the sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Engal Kural' (1985) is an Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by SA Chandrasekhar. While T. Rajendar penned the lyrics and composed music for several hit films of that era, he specifically contributed tracks with his signature rhythmic verse structures, internal rhymes, and metaphorical lyricism.

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