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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhalin Kadhai Idhu

From Vishwa Thulasi · 2004

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vishwa Thulasi
Movie release year
2004
Lyrics added on
23 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo
Keladiyo keladiyo keladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Nilladiyo nilladiyo nilladiyo
Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Un vazhiyil en vazhi thaan selladiyo
En vizhiyil un vali thaan paaradiyo
Un vazhiyil en vazhi thaan selladiyo
En vizhiyil un vali thaan paaradiyo
Un viruppam en viruppam solladiyo
Un viruppam en viruppam solladiyo
Unai mayakkum nija mayakkam yaaradiyo
Unai mayakkum nija mayakkam yaaradiyo
Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Un nerukkam en kirakkam thazhuvadiyo
En irukkam unai irukkum nazhuvadiyo
Un nadukkam un kalakkam kooradiyo
Kan urakkam illai enakkum yenadiyo
Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Nee thirumba naan thirumbum
Midhiyadiyo
Nee valarthum thani yaagam veenadiyo
Un uravil en uyir thaan urangadiyo
En manadhil un kanam thaan irangadiyo
Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo
Listen to this story of a shadow, my dear.
Please listen, oh listen, listen to me.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
Stop, oh please stop, wait for a moment.
Listen to this story of a shadow, my dear.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
My path only follows wherever you go.
Look and see your own pain reflected in my eyes.
My path only follows wherever you go.
Look and see your own pain reflected in my eyes.
Tell me your desire, for your wish is mine too.
Tell me your desire, for your wish is mine too.
Who is the true love that captivates you so?
Who is the true love that captivates you so?
Listen to this story of a shadow, my dear.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
Let your closeness embrace my dizzy longing.
My tight embrace holds you close, do not slip away.
Tell me why you tremble and what troubles you.
I cannot find sleep either, tell me why.
Listen to this story of a shadow, my dear.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
As you turn, I must turn along—
that is our destiny, my dear.
The lonely sacrifice you keep making is all in vain.
Let my soul rest peacefully in your loving bond.
Let the heavy burden of your heart be eased into mine.
Listen to this story of a shadow, my dear.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
You, my reality, stop for just a moment.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a deeply philosophical and emotional plea where the singer contrasts the intangible ('Nizhal' / Shadow) with the tangible ('Nijam' / Reality). Addressing a beloved, the speaker reflects on how their lives, feelings, and destinies are intertwined, sharing both joy and pain. There is a sense of longing, devotion, and bittersweet acceptance of life's illusions versus truths.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo / Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo”

Almost every line consistently ends with the rhythmic refrain suffix '-adiyo', creating a melodic and poetic rhyme scheme across the entire song.

Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)

“Nizhalin kadhai idhu keladiyo / Nijamae oru nimidam nilladiyo”

Contrasts 'Nizhal' (shadow/illusion) with 'Nijam' (truth/reality) to highlight the duality of perception and existence.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Un viruppam en viruppam solladiyo”

The repetition of similar soft vocal sounds at the start of words within the line creates internal harmony.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

“Un nerukkam en kirakkam thazhuvadiyo / En irukkam unai irukkum nazhuvadiyo”

The second consonant 'ra/ru/rak' pattern creates rhythmic structural assonance across the couplets.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vishwa Thulasi (2004), starring Mammootty and Nandita Das and directed by Sumathy Ram, is famous for its historic musical collaboration where two giant composers of Tamil cinema—M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja—worked together on the soundtrack. Ilaiyaraaja penned the lyrics for songs in this film, infusing them with deeply spiritual and philosophical themes.

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