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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neeya Azhaithathu

From Alai Osai · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Alai Osai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Silirkkiren venneer aatril kulikkirenI shiver, I bathe in a river of warm water
Thavikkiren ennai naanae anaikkirenI yearn, I embrace myself
Sirikkiren thanimaiyil enai…..I laugh at myself in loneliness...
Female
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Male
Thanneeril vennilavuThe white moon in the water
NeeraadumaaWill it take a bath?
Female :Vennilavu tharai vandhaalFemale: If the white moon comes down to earth
AarodumaaWill a river flow?
Male
Penmai kuliththadhilAs womanhood bathed
Thannai marandhadhu neerodaiThe stream forgot itself
Female : Karaiyil irundhadhuFemale: What was resting on the shore
Kaatril parandhadhu mel aadaiThe upper garment flew away in the wind
Male
Kaatrae vaazhgaLong live the wind!
Kaadhal dhevan nandri solgirenI offer my gratitude to the god of love
Female : Enna leelai kannan velaiFemale: What playful trick is this, Krishna's work?
Ilaigalil udai kodu illai oru vazhi viduGive me clothes made of leaves, or else clear a path
Female
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Female
Thalaivanae viraivinilOh my beloved, quickly
Penn paarkka vaaCome to see the bride
Male :Kaalangal kaniyattumMale: Let time ripen
Kai serkka vaaCome to join hands
Female
Saelai pookkalilIn the flowers on the saree
Thaenai thirududhu pon vanduA golden beetle steals the honey
Male :Aasai nadhiyinilMale: In the river of desire
Aazham paarkkira naal endruThinking of the day to measure the depth
Female
Enni yengumLonging and yearning
Kanni nenjam palli kollumaaWill the maiden's heart sleep peacefully?
Male :Kelvi enna gaeli ennaMale: What question is this, what mockery is this?
Enna idhil varaimuraiWhat boundaries are there in this?
Thendral thodum iruvaraiThe gentle breeze touches us both
Male
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Silirkkiren venneer aatril kulikkirenI shiver, I bathe in a river of warm water
Thavikkiren ennai naanae anaikkirenI yearn, I embrace myself
Sirikkiren thanimaiyil enai…..I laugh at myself in loneliness...
Male
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart
Neeyaa azhaithadhuWas it you who called?
En nenjil minnal adithadhuLightning struck in my heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic composition captures the intimate banter and sensory overwhelmedness of two lovers lost in passion. The female protagonist experiences an intense rush of romantic longing upon hearing her lover's call, describing the sensation as a bolt of lightning hitting her heart and causing her to feel both warm shivering and deep solitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

En nenjil minnal adithadhu

The sudden surge of romantic feeling is metaphorically described as lightning striking the heart.

Mythological Allusion (Purana Kurippu)

Enna leelai kannan velai

Refers to Lord Krishna's famous play (Gopika Vastrapaharanam) of stealing garments while women bathe in the river.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Verbal Parallelism)

Silirkkiren venneer aatril kulikkiren

The consecutive verbs end with identical suffixes 'kiren' (Silirkkiren, Thavikkiren, Sirikkiren) creating a rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Alai Osai' (1985) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song vividly uses nature imagery such as rivers, breezes, and water to parallel romantic awakenings.

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