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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Iruppadhu Inge

From Kalai Arasi · 1963

Lyricist
N. M. Muthukkoothan
Singers
P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kalai Arasi1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nenjil vaazhum endhan pakkamaaAre they by my side, living in my heart?
Adhai neril solla vetkamaaAre you feeling shy to admit it in person?
Female
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nenjil vaazhum endhan pakkamaaAre they by my side, living in my heart?
Adhai neril solla vetkamaaAre you feeling shy to admit it in person?
Male
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nizhalum unadhu kaikku kidaikkumaaCan your hands ever grasp a shadow?
Neerin kumizhi anaiyai udaikkumaaCan a mere water bubble break a strong dam?
Male
Neeyiruppadhu ingae unYou are physically present here, your
Ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nizhalum unadhu kaikku kidaikkumaaCan your hands ever grasp a shadow?
Neerin kumizhi anaiyai udaikkumaaCan a mere water bubble break a strong dam?
Female
{Vaayiruppadhu vambu pesiIs the mouth given to us merely to talk ill
VaattidathaanoAnd cause pain?
Nam valarum anbai solli inbamShould it not express our growing love and feed us
Oottidathaano} (2)Endless joy?
Male
Kaayai thinna enni kaniyaiHoping to eat a raw fruit, would I ever
KaividuvaenoDiscard the ripe fruit?
Kaayai thinna enni kaniyai kaividuvaenoHoping to eat a raw fruit, would I ever discard the ripe fruit?
En karuthil vaazhum oruthikkae naanTo the sole woman living in my thoughts, would I
Dhrogham seivaenoEver commit betrayal?
En karuthil vaazhum oruthikkae naanTo the sole woman living in my thoughts, would I
Dhrogham seivaenoEver commit betrayal?
Male
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nizhalum unadhu kaikku kidaikkumaaCan your hands ever grasp a shadow?
Neerin kumizhi anaiyai udaikkumaaCan a mere water bubble break a strong dam?
Female
{Thanimai bayangarathinSolitude is a manufacturing factory
UrpathisaalaiOf pure terror
Male :Adhilae inimai kaana virumbuvadhuMale: Wanting to find sweetness in it
Tharkolai vaelai} (2)Is a suicidal effort
Female
Unmai kaadhalukkae vettrumaiyillaiThere is no disparity in true love
Unmai kaadhalukkae vettrumaiyillaiThere is no disparity in true love
Male
Naam ondrupattaal inguIf we unite together here
Vaeru adhisayamillaiThere is no other miracle needed
Female
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nenjil vaazhum endhan pakkamaaAre they by my side, living in my heart?
Adhai neril solla vetkamaaAre you feeling shy to admit it in person?
Male
Neeyiruppadhu ingaeYou are physically present here
Un ninaiviruppadhu engaeWhere are your thoughts dwelling?
Nizhalum unadhu kaikku kidaikkumaaCan your hands ever grasp a shadow?
Neerin kumizhi anaiyai udaikkumaaCan a mere water bubble break a strong dam?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a poetic dialogue between lovers reflecting on presence, perception, and emotional devotion. One partner questions whether the other's heart is truly present or lost in doubt, using metaphors like grasping shadows or a bubble trying to break a dam to illustrate futile worries and transient fears. The male protagonist reassures her of his unfailing loyalty, asking if anyone would forsake a ripe fruit for an unripe one or betray the one who lives in his thoughts. The lyrics emphasize that true love transcends isolation and division, concluding that the genuine union of two hearts is the ultimate miracle.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Uvamaani / Vinah)

Neerin kumizhi anaiyai udaikkumaa

Uses questions like 'Can a water bubble break a dam?' to emphasize that fragile doubts cannot destroy strong love.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaayai thinna enni kaniyai kaividuvaeno

Compares choosing a partner to preferring a ripe fruit (kani) over a raw fruit (kaai) to symbolize loyalty and wisdom.

Contrast / Anthesis (Muran)

Neeyiruppadhu ingae / Un ninaiviruppadhu engae

Juxtaposes physical presence ('Neeyiruppadhu ingae') with mental absence ('Un ninaiviruppadhu engae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalai Arasi (1963), starring M. G. Ramachandran and Bhanumathi, is widely recognized as one of the earliest science-fiction feature films in Indian cinema, featuring themes of alien abduction and space travel.

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