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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaivil Aadum Azhago

From Kal Vadiyum Pookkal · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shyam
Details
Kal Vadiyum Pookkal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…..aa……aa……aa…..aah….aa….Aa.....aa......aa......aa.....aah....aa....
Aa…..aa……aa……aa…..aah….aa….Aa.....aa......aa......aa.....aah....aa....
Male
Ninaivil aadum azhago….oo….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?
Nerungidaathaa uravo…oo….Or a relationship that remains forever out of reach?
Ninaivil aadum azhago….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?
Nerungidaathaa uravo……Or a relationship that remains forever out of reach?
Ilam paruva naadagangal arangamerugaiyilJust as the drama of youth was being staged,
Idaiyil thiraiyum vizhaA curtain unexpectedly fell in between.
Poo maalai konda poo paavaiyindriWithout the flower-like maiden holding the floral garland,
Naan thaniththirukkaLeaving me standing all alone.
Male
Ninaivil aadum azhago….oo….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?
Padhani dhanisa nisaga kasanipagani[Musical swara notes]
Ninaivil aadum azhago….oo….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?
Pagapa dhapatha nithani sanisani[Musical swara notes]
Ninaivil aadum azhago….oo….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?
Kasathagapathaa mapagapani kabaganisa dhasanithapa………..[Musical swara notes]
Male
Thaththatheem thaththatheem thatheem[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thaththatheem thaththatheem thatheem[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thaththatheem thaththatheem thatheem thatheemthaa[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thatheeth thatheeththa thatheeth[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thatheeth thatheeth thatheeththa[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thatheeth thatheeth thatheeth thatheeththa[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Thatheeth thatheeth thatheeththa[Rhythmic jathi / konnakol syllables]
Male
Ninaivil aadum azhago….oo….Is it a beauty dancing in my memory?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ninaivil Aadum Azhago from the movie Kal Vadiyum Pookkal (1983) is a classical-tinged song of longing and heartache. The protagonist meditates on the memory of his lost love, questioning if she is merely a lingering dream or a bond that can never be realized again. He uses the metaphor of a theater performance to describe how their budding romance was abruptly halted halfway through as a curtain fell, leaving him abandoned and solitary without his beloved bride. Composed by Shyam with lyrics by Vaali and sung impeccably by K. J. Yesudas, the track transitions from reflective poetic verses to dynamic Carnatic classical vocalizations (swaras and jathis). The musical structure highlights the emotional turmoil of the protagonist, contrasting melodic nostalgia with rhythmic urgency.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ninaivil aadum azhago / Nerungidaathaa uravo

The matching initial letter 'N' ('Ni' and 'Ne') across consecutive lines creates melodic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ilam paruva naadagangal arangamerugaiyil / Idaiyil thiraiyum vizha

Youthful romantic life is metaphorically represented as a theatrical stage play interrupted by an untimely falling curtain.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poo paavaiyindri

The beloved woman is described as a 'poo paavai' (flower maiden), metaphorically linking her gentle beauty to a delicate blossom.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kal Vadiyum Pookkal' (1983) features a score composed by Shyam, a prominent music director who was highly successful in both Malayalam and Tamil cinema during the late 1970s and 1980s. This song stands out for K. J. Yesudas's masterful execution of rapid-fire swara patterns and complex rhythmic konnakol jathis set within a film song context.

Keep listening

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