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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nathaswara Oosaiyile

From Poovum Pottum · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Poovum Pottum1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Saerndhu varum melathilaeTo the accompaniment of the matching drums
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Female
Ha haha ha ha haha haHa haha ha ha haha ha
Ha haha ha ha ha haha haHa haha ha ha ha haha ha
Kolamitta manavaraiyilIn the decorated wedding dais
Kungumathin sangamathilIn the confluence of vermilion
Kolamitta manavaraiyilIn the decorated wedding dais
Kungumathin sangamathilIn the confluence of vermilion
Maalaiyitta poonkazhuthilOn the flower-garlanded neck
Thaali kattum velaiyilumEven at the moment of tying the sacred thread
Female
Ooraargal vaazhthuraikkaWhile the townspeople shower blessings
Oorvalathil varum poluthumAnd during the wedding procession
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Female
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Saerndhu varum melathilaeTo the accompaniment of the matching drums
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Male
Mai vaditha kann irandumHer kohl-lined pair of eyes
Mann paarkkum paavanaiyilIn the posture of looking down at the earth
Kai piditha naayaganinOf the hero whose hand she holds
Kattazhagu kandu varaTo witness his striking handsome beauty
Male
Mai vaditha kann irandumHer kohl-lined pair of eyes
Mann paarkkum paavanaiyilIn the posture of looking down at the earth
Kai piditha naayaganinOf the hero whose hand she holds
Kattazhagu kandu varaTo witness his striking handsome beauty
Male
Mei silirthu mugam sivakkumWith goosebumps and a blushing face
Mellidaiyaal koondhalilaeIn the hair of the slender-waisted bride
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Female
Karppil oru kannagiyaaiLike a Kannagi in chastity
Kaadhalukku jaanakiyaaiLike a Janaki for love
Sirppa magal vaazhkkai endruSaying this is a sculpted daughter's life
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Male
Pathiniyai kaaval konduProtecting her as a devoted wife
Paar pugazha vaazhga endruWishing her to live praised by the world
Pathiniyai kaaval konduProtecting her as a devoted wife
Paar pugazha vaazhga endruWishing her to live praised by the world
Sathiyathin maedaiyilaeOn the stage of truth
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Female
Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram
Devan vandhu paadugindraanThe Lord comes and sings
Male :Saerndhu varum melathilaeTo the accompaniment of the matching drums
Devi nadam aadugindraalThe Goddess dances
Both :Nadhaswara oosaiyileIn the sound of the Nadaswaram

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nadhaswara Oosaiyile is a classic Tamil wedding song from the 1968 film Poovum Pottum. Lyricist Kannadasan beautifully captures the sanctity and joyful rituals of a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony, equating the bride and groom to a Goddess (Devi) and Lord (Devan). The lyrics describe key auspicious moments, including sitting on the decorated marriage platform (Manavarai), applying red vermilion (Kungumam), tying the sacred knot (Thaali), and taking part in the joyous town procession (Oorvalam). The song highlights the shyness, inner joy, and devotion of the bride while praising her as an embodiment of chastity like Kannagi and love like Janaki (Sita). Composed by R. Govarthanam and rendered by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela, the song remains an enduring cultural anthem for Tamil weddings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Devan vandhu paadugindraan / Devi nadam aadugindraal

The bride and groom are metaphorically referred to as 'Devi' (Goddess) and 'Devan' (Lord), elevating the human ceremony to a divine celebration.

Simile (Uvamai)

Karppil oru kannagiyaai / Kaadhalukku jaanakiyaai

The bride's virtue and emotional devotion are compared directly to legendary cultural and epic figures Kannagi and Sita (Janaki).

Alliteration (Monai)

Kolamitta manavaraiyil / Kungumathin sangamathil

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('K') across lines creating a rhythmic, pleasant flow.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edukai)

Pathiniyai kaaval kondu / Sathiyathin maedaiyilae

Agreement of the second consonant sound ('th') in consecutive lines ('Pathiniyai' and 'Sathiyathin').

Did you know?

Trivia

Poovum Pottum (1968) was directed by Dada Mirasi and was a remake of the 1964 Hindi film Pooja Ke Phool. 'Nadhaswara Oosaiyile' became an evergreen standard across South India, frequently played during auspicious wedding rituals and processions due to its authentic Nadaswaram-laden traditional composition.

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