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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Radhamo

From Ponnagaram · 1980

Lyricist
Sulthan
Singers
Vani Jairam, Jayachandran
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Ponnagaram1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Muthu radhamo mullai charamoIs it a pearl chariot or a garland of jasmine flowers?
Male
Muthu radhamo mullai charamoIs it a pearl chariot or a garland of jasmine flowers?
Moondru kaniyo pillai thamizhoIs it the three fruits or the sweet Tamil of childhood literature?
Kannae nee vilaiyaaduMy beloved, play on!
Kanindha manadhilIn the tender, ripened heart,
Ezhundha ninaivilIn the memory that arose,
Kaadhal uravaaduShare the bond of love!
Female
Muthu mugamo moga sugamoIs it a pearl-like face or a blissful longing?
Munnae vandha moondru thamizhoIs it the three forms of Tamil appearing before me?
Kannaa nee kavipaaduMy dear, sing a poem!
Kanindha manadhilIn the tender, ripened heart,
Ezhundha ninaivilIn the memory that arose,
Kaadhal uravaaduShare the bond of love!
Male
Unadhu paarvaiYour gaze,
Enadhu paadalMy song,
Dhinamum naan paadaFor me to sing every day,
Female
Ninaivil..kanavil..sugamoIs there sweet pleasure in memories and dreams?
Ulaga nilaiyai marandhu konjamForgetting the state of the world for a moment,
Vinnil naan aadaFor me to dance in the sky,
Male
Amudham..kanigal..tharumoWill it grant nectar and sweet fruits?
Female
Iravukkaalam nilavu kolamIn the night time, amidst the moonlight patterns,
Idhayam mayangaadhoWon't the heart become entranced?
Male
Uravuthaeril urimai porilIn the chariot of relationships, in the battle of affection,
Ennai izhukkaadhoWon't it pull me in?
Female
Muthu mugamo moga sugamoIs it a pearl-like face or a blissful longing?
Munnae vandha moondru thamizhoIs it the three forms of Tamil appearing before me?
Kannaa nee kavipaaduMy dear, sing a poem!
Female
Vaanil vasantham thaenin suvaipolLike spring in the sky, like the taste of honey,
Naeril vaaraadhoWon't it appear right before us?
Male
Uravil ..kalaigal..valarumIn relationships, arts will flourish.
Manadhil baedham adhiga dhooramDifferences in the heart and long distances,
Kannil theriyaadhuWill not be visible to the eyes.
Female
Dhinamum …suvaigal…malarumEvery day, sweet flavors will blossom.
Male
Ulaga mayakkam vilagum naeramAt the time when the world's illusion fades away,
Paruvam vizhikkaadhoWon't youth awaken?
Female
Uravum enna pagaiyum ennaWhat is kinship and what is enmity?
Kaalam maaraadhoWon't time change everything?
Male
Muthu radhamo mullai charamoIs it a pearl chariot or a garland of jasmine flowers?
Muthu radhamo mullai charamoIs it a pearl chariot or a garland of jasmine flowers?
Moondru kaniyo pillai thamizhoIs it the three fruits or the sweet Tamil of childhood literature?
Pattae nee vilaiyaaduOh silken beloved, play on!
Female
Kaadhal uravaaduShare the bond of love!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Muthu Radhamo Mullai Charamo is a poetic Tamil romantic song filled with classical metaphors and imagery. The lyrics praise the grace and beauty of the beloved, comparing her presence to precious pearls, delicate jasmine garlands, the three classic Tamil fruits (Mango, Jackfruit, Banana), and the revered genres of Tamil literature (Mutthamizh and Pillai Thamizh). The song expresses the enchanting world created by true love, where worldly troubles disappear and hearts unite in song and dream. It emphasizes that true affection dissolves differences and hostility over time, allowing joy, art, and sweet feelings to flourish continuously in life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Muthu radhamo mullai charamo / Moondru kaniyo

Repetition of the initial letter sound 'Mu' in 'Muthu', 'Mullai', and 'Moondru'.

Uravagam (Metaphor)

Moondru kaniyo pillai thamizho

Comparing the beloved's grace directly to 'Pillai Thamizh' (classical child literature) and 'Mukkani' (the three royal fruits of Tamil tradition).

Uvamai (Simile)

Vaanil vasantham thaenin suvaipol / Naeril vaaraadho

Using 'pol' (like) to compare love's arrival to spring in the sky and the sweetness of honey.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kanindha manadhil / Ezhundha ninaivil

Matching second consonants 'ni' and 'zhu' creates a lyrical flow between 'Kanindha' and 'Ezhundha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song heavily incorporates traditional Tamil literary motifs, specifically referring to 'Moondru Kani' (Mukkani: Mango, Jackfruit, Banana), 'Moondru Thamizh' (Mutthamizh: Iyal, Isai, Nadagam), and 'Pillai Thamizh' (a classical Tamil poetic genre), highlighting lyricist Sulthan's deep grounding in classical literature.

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