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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanum

From Navarasa · 2021

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Karthik
Details
Navarasa2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mayakkum mazhalai mozhiyoIs it the enchanting speech of an infant?
Avizhum aruvi oliyoIs it the sound of a cascading waterfall?
Kuviyum kuyilin kuraloIs it the cooing voice of a cuckoo?
Theiyum theiyum ival munnEverything fades and pales in front of her.
Male
Kulambi kilappum manamoIs it the confusingly evocative aroma of coffee?
Pudhinam pirikkum manamoIs it the scent of unboxing a new novel?
Thulasi ilayin manamoIs it the fragrance of a tulsi leaf?
Theiyum theiyum ival munnEverything fades and pales in front of her.
Male
Yen adhai naan unaravillaiWhy didn't I realize it earlier?
Yen… yen unarndhum thirundhavillaiWhy... why didn't I reform even after realizing?
Male
Naanum neram idhuThis is the moment I feel shy.
Naanum naanum neram idhuThis is truly the moment of my bashfulness.
Or aanin naanam idhu anbaeThis is a man's shyness, my beloved.
Male
Naanum neram idhuThis is the moment I feel shy.
Naanum naanum neram idhuThis is truly the moment of my bashfulness.
En veru konam idhu anbaeThis is a different dimension of mine, my beloved.
Male
Isai thaedi nee vandhaaiYou came searching for music.
Isai endru ennil aanaaiYou became music itself within me.
Isaiyindri ennaavenWhat would I become without music?
Isaiyilla mannaavenI would become lifeless soil without music.
Male
Thirundhum vaippondru thandhaalIf you give me a chance to reform,
Marandhum meendum seiyaenI will never make the mistake again, even by mistake.
Selladhae nee vaa vaa ennisaiyae.. isaiyaeDon't leave, come to me, my music... oh music.
Male
Hoo ho hoo oo oo oo ….Hoo ho hoo oo oo oo ....
Anbae…anbaeMy beloved... my beloved.
Male
Naanum neram idhuThis is the moment I feel shy.
Naanum naanum neram idhuThis is truly the moment of my bashfulness.
En veru konam idhu anbaeThis is a different dimension of mine, my beloved.
Chorus
Hoo ho hoo oo oo oo ….Hoo ho hoo oo oo oo ....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song portrays a profound expression of self-realization, vulnerability, and romantic devotion. The speaker begins by comparing his beloved to delightful sensory experiences—infant talk, waterfalls, cuckoo calls, the aroma of coffee, new books, and holy basil—concluding that her presence eclipses all these joys. He reflects on his past mistakes with deep remorse, asking why he failed to recognize her value sooner and reform his ways.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moanai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mayakkum mazhalai mozhiyo

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words creates melodic rhythm.

Olfactory and Auditory Imagery

Kulambi kilappum manamo / Pudhinam pirikkum manamo

Uses vivid sensory references like the smell of coffee ('kulambi') and unboxing new books ('pudhinam') alongside auditory sounds of waterfalls and cuckoos.

Metaphor

Isai endru ennil aanaai / Isaiyilla mannaaven

Directly equates the beloved to the concept of music, asserting that without her, he is merely lifeless soil ('mannaaven').

Anaphora / Epizeuxis

Naanum naanum neram idhu

Repetition of the word 'Naanum' (bashfulness) for emotional emphasis on his newly discovered vulnerability.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and sung by Karthik for the 2021 Netflix Tamil anthology 'Navarasa', the lyrics by Madhan Karky incorporate modern, relatable sensory imagery—such as the scent of freshly printed novel pages and brewed coffee—which is rare in traditional Tamil romantic poetry.

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