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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadhiyil Aadum

From Kadhal Oviyam · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kadhal Oviyam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
……………………………....
Female
Aaa….aaa…..aaa…aaa….Aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Aaaa….aaaa….aaaa…aaaa…aaa…Aaaa... aaaa... aaaa... aaaa... aaa...
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaa….Aaaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Female
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Male
Kaaman saalai yaavilumAlong all the avenues of the God of Love
Oru deva roja oorvalamA divine rose marches in procession
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Female
Kulikkum pothu koondhalaiWhile bathing, her long dark hair
Thanathaadai aakkum devathaiBecomes her modest garment, this goddess
Male :Alaiyil midhakkum maadhulaiMale: She is a pomegranate floating on the waves
Ival brahma devan saathanaiShe is a masterpiece created by Lord Brahma
Female
Thavangal seiyum poovinaiThe flower that performs solemn penance
Indru parithu sellum kaamanaiCupid comes today to pluck it away
Male :Ethirthu nindraal …aaa…aaa…Male: If one stands in opposition... aaa... aaa...
Ethirthu nindraal vethanaiStanding in opposition brings only pain
Female :Ambu thodukkum pothuFemale: When he shoots his love arrows
Nee thunai…sodhanai…ee….You are my solace... what a trial... ee...
Female
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Male
Kaaman saalai yaavilumAlong all the avenues of the God of Love
Oru deva roja oorvalamA divine rose marches in procession
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Male
……………………………………...
Male
Salangai oosai pothumaeThe sound of anklets alone is enough
Enthan pasiyum theernthuMy hunger will be completely satisfied
PogumaeAnd go away
Female
Udhaya gaanamThe morning song
PothumaeWill be quite enough
Enthan uyiril amudham oorumaeNectar will flow deep within my soul
Male
Iravu muzhuthum geethamaeMusic echoes throughout the night
Female :Nilavin madiyil eeramaeFemale: There is coolness in the lap of the moon
Male :Viralgal virunthu ketkumaeMale: My fingers demand a lavish feast
Female :Oru vilakku vizhithuFemale: A lamp stays awake
PaarkumaeAnd watches over us
Male :Idhazhgal idhazhai thedumaeMale: Lips search eagerly for lips
Female :Oru kanavu padukaiFemale: A bed made of dreams
Podumae…podhumae…ae….ae….Will lay itself out... that is enough... ae... ae...
Female
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks
Male
Kaaman saalai yaavilumAlong all the avenues of the God of Love
Oru deva roja oorvalamA divine rose marches in procession
Nadhiyil aadum poovanamA flower garden dancing in the river
Alaigal veesum saamaramWhere the waves fan like royal whisks

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nadhiyil Aadum Poovanam from the 1982 film Kadhal Oviyam is a deeply romantic and evocative song that celebrates love, physical intimacy, and divine beauty. The song uses rich nature imagery—comparing the heroine to a floating flower garden, a divine rose, and a masterpiece crafted by Lord Brahma. The lovers express their longing and deep emotional connection through poetic metaphors involving the moon, music, nightfall, and tender touches.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nadhiyil aadum poovanam

Compares the heroine floating in the river to a blooming garden ('poovanam') and a divine rose ('deva roja').

Personification

Oru vilakku vizhithu paarkumae

Attributes human actions of staying awake and watching to an inanimate lamp ('vilakku').

Rhyme / Monai and Edhugai

Nadhiyil aadum poovanam / Alaigal veesum saamaram

Utilizes rich Tamil poetic rhythms with matching initial and secondary consonant sounds like 'Nadhiyil' and 'Alaigal', as well as rhythmic endings 'pothumae' and 'oorumae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the film 'Kadhal Oviyam' directed by P. Bharathiraja, this iconic track features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. Lyricist Vairamuthu crafted the lyrics, which are celebrated for their sensual and ethereal classical Tamil imagery.

Keep listening

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