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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Needhiyagumo

From Laila Majnu · 1950

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, T. S. Bhagavathy
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Laila Majnu1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Needhiyaagimo….nin nesameIs your love truly righteous...
Nizhal polaanathaeIt has faded away like a shadow.
Male
Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyaeMy soul is growing weary; my desire has turned into despair.
Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyaeMy soul is growing weary; my desire has turned into despair.
Aavi soruthaeMy soul grows weary.
Female
Moga pudhu manaththaalae enaiWith a heart full of new infatuation, towards me...
Mosam seithaai neeyaeYou betrayed me!
Moga pudhu manaththaalae enaiWith a heart full of new infatuation, towards me...
Mosam seithaai neeyaeYou betrayed me!
Female
Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyaeMy soul is growing weary; my desire has turned into despair.
Aavi soruthaeMy soul grows weary.
Female
Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraenI stood withered like a flower with no fragrance.
Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraenI stood withered like a flower with no fragrance.
Vaazhvin nilai idhuvoIs this the ultimate state of life?
Thaazhvadainthaen naanaeI have suffered a great downfall.
Female
Aadavar nenjam kallaeThe heart of men is made of stone.
Anbe illaatha nenjaeIt is a heart devoid of true love.
Aadavar nenjam kallaeThe heart of men is made of stone.
Anbe illaatha nenjaeIt is a heart devoid of true love.
Female
Alai polae maarum kanavaeOh dream that shifts endlessly like ocean waves!
Anaiyaatha kaama kanavaeOh unquenchable dream of passion!
Alai polae maarum kanavaeOh dream that shifts endlessly like ocean waves!
Anaiyaatha kaama kanavaeOh unquenchable dream of passion!
Female
Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyaeMy soul is growing weary; my desire has turned into despair.
Aavi soruthaeMy soul grows weary.
Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyaeMy soul is growing weary; my desire has turned into despair.
Aavi soruthaeMy soul grows weary.
Female
Paavi enpoloruvar paarthanil illaiThere is no sinner on this earth quite like me.
Aavi nigar kadhalanai kaana vazhiyillaiThere is no way left to behold my lover who is like my very soul.
Kannae lailaa unathu kadhal ninaivaalaeOh my beloved Laila, due to the memories of your love,
Thaei nilaviu polirulil naanalaithal paaraaiLook at me wandering in the dark, fading like a waning moon.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track from the 1950 classic Laila Majnu captures the intense anguish of separation and tragic love. The female narrative laments betrayal and emotional exhaustion, comparing her state to a scentless, withered flower and decrying the unyielding, stone-like nature of men. She feels her hopes dissolving into heartbreak as her love turns to despair. In response, the male voice (Majnu) reflects on his miserable fate, declaring himself the most unfortunate soul on earth. Unable to reunite with his beloved Laila—whom he considers his very life essence—he wanders aimlessly through darkness, diminishing steadily like a waning moon driven by her cherished memories.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraen

Compares her fading existence to a shadow ('Nizhal polaanathae') and her withered state to a scentless flower ('Vaasamillaa malar pol vaadi nindraen').

Anthesis / Oxymoron (Muran Thodai)

Aavi soruthae en aasaiyae niraasaiyae

Contrasts desire ('aasai') with despair ('niraasai') to highlight the transformation of hope into grief.

Metaphor & Simile

Alai polae maarum kanavae

Compares fleeting, unstable emotions to sea waves ('Alai polae') and characterises men's hearts directly as stone ('Aadavar nenjam kallae').

Imagery / Simile

Thaei nilaviu polirulil naanalaithal paaraai

Compares the protagonist's emotional and physical decline while searching for his beloved to a waning moon ('Thaei nilavu') losing light in dark night.

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Trivia

Laila Majnu (1950) was a major Tamil musical hit produced under Sri Sukumar Productions and directed by F. Nagoor. T. R. Mahalingam played the lead role of Majnu (Qays) and sang his own classical portions. The film's soundtrack composed by S. V. Venkatraman became immensely popular for its rich Carnatic and classical-based tunes.

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