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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Kadhalil

From Mandhira Punnagai · 1986

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mandhira Punnagai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan kaadhalil pudhu paadaganI am a new singer in love
Un vaasalil oru yaasaganA beggar at your doorstep
Yaarammaa thaen mozhiWho is she with honeyed speech?
Thaalaattum poo vizhiEyes like flowers that lull to sleep
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Lala laa laa laa laaLala laa laa laa laa
Male
Dhinam dhinam naan kaadhalilEvery day in love, I am
Pudhu paadaganA new singer
Un vaasalil oru yaasaganA beggar at your doorstep
Male
Idhazhil oorum gangaiThe Ganges flowing from the lips
Ilamai thaenin thangaiYouth is the sister of honey
Kaala neram illaiThere is no time to lose
Kaadhal sevai thaevaiLove's service is required
Male
Dheva dheviyaeDivine goddess
Poovin jaadhiyaeOf flower-like nature
Kaaman thaerilaeOn Cupid's chariot
Geetham paadavaaShall I sing a song?
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Lala laa laa laa laaLala laa laa laa laa
Male
Dhinam dhinam naan kaadhalilEvery day in love, I am
Pudhu paadaganA new singer
Un vaasalil oru yaasaganA beggar at your doorstep
Male
Iravu neram vandhaalWhen night time arrives
Idhaya veenai paadumThe heart's veena will sing
Mogam nenjil koodumDesire gathers in the heart
Dhegam medai aagumThe body becomes a stage
Male
Tholil aadavaaShall I dance on your shoulders?
Oonjal podavaaShall I set up a swing?
Paarvai paesudhaeThe gaze speaks
Vaarthai thaevaiyaaAre words necessary?
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Lala laa laa laa laaLala laa laa laa laa
Male
Dhinam dhinam naan kaadhalilEvery day in love, I am
Pudhu paadaganA new singer
Un vaasalil oru yaasaganA beggar at your doorstep
Yaarammaa thaen mozhiWho is she with honeyed speech?
Thaalaattum poo vizhiEyes like flowers that lull to sleep
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Podammaa kaadhaliOffer alms, my beloved
Bikshaandhaehi paarvathiGive me alms, Parvathi
Lala laa laa laa laaLala laa laa laa laa
Male
Dhinam dhinam naan kaadhalilEvery day in love, I am
Pudhu paadaganA new singer
Un vaasalil oru yaasaganA beggar at your doorstep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic romantic track from Mandhira Punnagai (1986), the protagonist metaphorically compares himself to a devotional beggar standing at his lover's door, pleading for her love as alms. He addresses her as a deity ('Parvathi', 'Dheva dhevi') and describes her beauty with vivid imagery, comparing her speech to honey and her lips to the holy River Ganges. As night falls, desire awakens like music from a heart's veena, turning their love into a grand performance where eyes speak louder than words. Poet Na. Kamarajan masterfully blends devotional terms like 'Bikshaandhaehi' (give me alms) with romantic passion to elevate a lover's yearning into a sacred devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Un vaasalil oru yaasagan

Compares the protagonist begging for romantic affection at the lover's doorstep to a spiritual beggar seeking alms.

Hyperbole & Sacred Imagery

Idhazhil oorum gangai

Compares the sweetness and purity of the beloved's lips to the sacred River Ganges.

Personification

Idhaya veenai paadum

Attributes human musical ability to the heart, describing it as playing the veena when night arrives.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Iravu neram vandhaal / Idhaya veenai paadum

Classic Tamil poetic second-letter rhyming pattern with 'ra' in 'Iravu' and 'da' in 'Idhaya'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song uses the traditional Sanskrit devotional phrase 'Bikshaandhaehi' (traditionally used by mendicants and sages asking Divine Mother Parvathi for food/alms) and cleverly repurposes it within a modern romantic context. Written by Na. Kamarajan, a pioneer of the modern 'Pudhu Kadhai' (New Poetry) movement in Tamil literature.

Keep listening

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