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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Vazhkiren

From Kula Gouravam · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, B. Vansantha
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kula Gouravam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Chorus :……………..Chorus: [Vocalizing]
Male
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Intha raagangalae en thozhargaleThese musical ragas are my friends.
Isaiyila kalaiyil enakkoru mayakkamI am spellbound by the art of music.
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Male
Neerodai alai thaalamidaAs the waves of the stream keep the rhythm,
Poongaattu isai kolamidaAs the gentle breeze draws musical patterns,
Neerodai alai thaalamidaAs the waves of the stream keep the rhythm,
Poongaattu isai kolamidaAs the gentle breeze draws musical patterns,
Male
Naamellam paadum mani paravaigalWe are all sweet singing birds,
Ninaivilae oorum pudhu kavithaikalFresh poems welling up in memory.
Isai polae veru sugam edhuvoIs there any other joy like music?
Male
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Chorus
……………[Interlude]
Male
Thaalaatta kalai thaayirukkaWith the art form serving as a mother to lull us to sleep,
Paalootta tamil mozhiyirukkaWith the Tamil language serving to nurture us like milk,
Thaalaatta kalai thaayirukkaWith the art form serving as a mother to lull us to sleep,
Paalootta tamil mozhiyirukkaWith the Tamil language serving to nurture us like milk,
Male
Ulakellam namathu kalaikoodameaThe whole world is our art gallery,
Isaiyellam namathu kural ketkumaeAll music will listen to our voice.
Kalaikkaaga vaazhum vaazhkkai idhuThis is a life lived dedicated to art.
Male
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Chorus
……………[Interlude]
Male
Hae ae..ae….ae….ae….ae..ae..Hae ae..ae....ae....ae....ae..ae..
Naan kooda konjam paadattumaaMay I also sing a little?
Female :Naanthanae mella odattumaaFemale: Shall I gently run away on my own?
Male :Oodinaal thuraththi unnai madakkuvenMale: If you run, I will chase and intercept you.
Female :Paadinaal niruththu unnai adakkuveanFemale: If you sing, I will stop and subdue you.
Male :Vendaatha velai unakkethukkuMale: Why do you engage in such unnecessary tasks?
Male
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.
Intha raagangalae en thozhargaleThese musical ragas are my friends.
Isaiyila kalaiyil enakkoru mayakkamI am spellbound by the art of music.
Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilaeI live in honeyed music.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses deep devotion to fine arts, music, and the Tamil language. The singer describes living entirely enveloped in the sweetness of music, considering musical scales (ragas) as close friends and nature itself as a living orchestra where streams provide the beat and breezes weave melodic designs.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Naan vaazhgiren….thaen isaiyilae

'Thaen isaiyilae' compares the sweetness of music directly to honey.

Personification

Neerodai alai thaalamida / Poongaattu isai kolamida

Nature is personified; stream waves keep time/rhythm (thaalam) and breezes draw artistic patterns (kolam).

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Thaalaatta kalai thaayirukka / Paalootta tamil mozhiyirukka

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('laa' in Thaalaatta and Paalootta).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, this song features classical Tamil tropes glorifying Mother Tamil ('Tamil Mozhi') alongside fine arts, framed in a joyful duet setting.

Keep listening

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