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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odayile Oru Thamarai Poo

From Thalaivan · 1970

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Thalaivan
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
16 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Odaiyilae… oru thaamaraip poo…
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip poo
Noorodaiyilae adhai paartheengalaa
Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilae
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa… aa…
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa… hoi…
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip poo
Neerodaiyilae adhai paarthaenunga
Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilae
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga
Ilai maraivaaga kaai irukkum
Andha kaai kanindhaal adhai
Anil kadikkum
Ilai maraivaaga kaai irukkum
Andha kaai kanindhaal adhai
Anil kadikkum
Anil kadithaal adhu thithithirukkum
Andha thithippinilae thani suvai irukkum
Andha thithippinilae thani suvai irukkum
Idhu mayakkathai aahaa mayakkathai
Oho mayakkathai tharugindra suvaiyallavo
Adhu manadhukkul nadakkindra kadhaiyallavo
Adhu manadhukkul nadakkindra kadhaiyallavo
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip poo
Noorodaiyilae adhai paartheengalaa
Male :Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilae
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga
Vaanathil irundhu pani vizhundhu
Mella valaindhadhenna
Kodi thalai kunindhu
Vaanathil irundhu pani vizhundhu
Mella valaindhadhenna
Kodi thalai kunindhu
Naanathil vizhuvadhu penmaiyammaa…
Idhai naanenna solvadhu unmaiyammaa
Idhai naanenna solvadhu unmaiyammaa
Oru kaattru vandhu kodiyidai anaikkum
Oru kaattru vandhu kodiyidai anaikkum
Idhu iyarkkai endru kodi idang kodukkum
Idhu iyarkkai endru kodi idang kodukkum
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip poo
Neerodaiyilae adhai paarthaenunga
Female :Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilae
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa.
Male :Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga
In the stream... a lotus flower...
In the stream, a lotus flower—
did you see it in the flowing stream?
When it smiled with a glance from its eyes,
did you ask what the secret was? Ah...
did you ask what the secret was? Hoy...
In the stream, a lotus flower—
I saw it in the flowing stream.
When it smiled with a glance from its eyes,
I asked what the secret was.
I asked what the secret was.
Hidden behind the leaves, a fruit is tucked away.
And when that fruit ripens,
a squirrel will nibble on it.
Hidden behind the leaves, a fruit is tucked away.
And when that fruit ripens,
a squirrel will nibble on it.
If a squirrel bites it, it tastes so sweet.
In that sweetness lies a special charm.
In that sweetness lies a special charm.
Is this not an intoxicating... ah, an intoxicating...
oh, isn't it a taste that leaves you thrilled?
Isn't it a story that plays out in the heart?
Isn't it a story that plays out in the heart?
In the stream, a lotus flower—
did you see it in the flowing stream?
Male: When it smiled with a glance from its eyes,
I asked what the secret was.
I asked what the secret was.
As the dew fell from the sky,
why did the slender vine gently bend,
bowing its head low?
As the dew fell from the sky,
why did the slender vine gently bend,
bowing its head low?
Surrendering to shyness is woman's nature...
Why need I say it? It is simply the truth.
Why need I say it? It is simply the truth.
A gentle breeze comes to embrace the vine's slender waist.
A gentle breeze comes to embrace the vine's slender waist.
Knowing it is only natural, the vine welcomes it in.
Knowing it is only natural, the vine welcomes it in.
In the stream, a lotus flower—
I saw it in the flowing stream.
Female: When it smiled with a glance from its eyes,
did you ask what the secret was?
Male: I asked what the secret was.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful romantic duet uses vivid metaphors from nature to depict the blossoming of love between two lovers. The heroine is likened to a lotus blooming in a stream and a fruit hidden behind leaves, while the hero takes the role of an admirer—the squirrel eager to sample the sweetness. Their flirty banter revolves around coy glances and unspoken feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip poo

The heroine is metaphorically compared to a lotus flower blooming gently in a running stream.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vaanathil irundhu pani vizhundhu / Naanathil vizhuvadhu penmaiyammaa…

The second consonant 'na' (ன) rhymes across both lines ('Vaanathil' and 'Naanathil').

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilae / Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenunga

The starting letters 'Vi' in 'Vizhi' and 'vivarathai' create a pleasant phonetic alliteration.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Odaiyilae Oru Thaamarai Poo' is a famous romantic duet from the 1970 Tamil movie 'Thalaivan', starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Vanisri. The film's music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with playback singing provided by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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