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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
Details
Thalaivan1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Odaiyilae… oru thaamaraip poo…In the stream... a lotus flower...
Female
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip pooA lotus flower in the stream
Noorodaiyilae adhai paartheengalaaDid you see it in the water stream?
Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilaeWhen it smiles with subtle eye gestures
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa… aa…Did you ask what that detail was? Ah...
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa… hoi…Did you ask what that detail was? Hoi...
Male
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip pooA lotus flower in the stream
Neerodaiyilae adhai paarthaenungaI saw it in the water stream, my dear
Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilaeWhen it smiles with subtle eye gestures
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenungaI asked what that detail was, my dear
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenungaI asked what that detail was, my dear
Female
Ilai maraivaaga kaai irukkumAn unripe fruit remains hidden behind leaves
Andha kaai kanindhaal adhaiIf that fruit ripens, then
Anil kadikkumA squirrel will nibble on it
Female
Ilai maraivaaga kaai irukkumAn unripe fruit remains hidden behind leaves
Andha kaai kanindhaal adhaiIf that fruit ripens, then
Anil kadikkumA squirrel will nibble on it
Male
Anil kadithaal adhu thithithirukkumIf the squirrel nibbles it, it tastes sweet
Andha thithippinilae thani suvai irukkumIn that sweetness, there lies a unique flavor
Andha thithippinilae thani suvai irukkumIn that sweetness, there lies a unique flavor
Female
Idhu mayakkathai aahaa mayakkathaiThis intoxication, ah, this intoxication
Oho mayakkathai tharugindra suvaiyallavoOh, isn't it a taste that brings delight and intoxication?
Male
Adhu manadhukkul nadakkindra kadhaiyallavoIsn't it a story unfolding within the mind?
Adhu manadhukkul nadakkindra kadhaiyallavoIsn't it a story unfolding within the mind?
Female
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip pooA lotus flower in the stream
Noorodaiyilae adhai paartheengalaaDid you see it in the water stream?
Male :Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilaeMale: When it smiles with subtle eye gestures
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenungaI asked what that detail was, my dear
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenungaI asked what that detail was, my dear
Female
Vaanathil irundhu pani vizhundhuDewdrops falling down from the sky
Mella valaindhadhennaWhy did the vine gently bend down
Kodi thalai kunindhuBowing its head low?
Female
Vaanathil irundhu pani vizhundhuDewdrops falling down from the sky
Mella valaindhadhennaWhy did the vine gently bend down
Kodi thalai kunindhuBowing its head low?
Male
Naanathil vizhuvadhu penmaiyammaa…Surrendering to shy grace is true womanhood, my dear...
Idhai naanenna solvadhu unmaiyammaaWhat can I say about this? It is the truth, my dear
Idhai naanenna solvadhu unmaiyammaaWhat can I say about this? It is the truth, my dear
Female
Oru kaattru vandhu kodiyidai anaikkumA breeze comes and hugs the slender waist of the vine
Oru kaattru vandhu kodiyidai anaikkumA breeze comes and hugs the slender waist of the vine
Male
Idhu iyarkkai endru kodi idang kodukkumKnowing it is natural, the vine yields and makes way
Idhu iyarkkai endru kodi idang kodukkumKnowing it is natural, the vine yields and makes way
Male
Odaiyilae oru thaamaraip pooA lotus flower in the stream
Neerodaiyilae adhai paarthaenungaI saw it in the water stream, my dear
Female :Vizhi jaadaiyilae adhu sirikkaiyilaeFemale: When it smiles with subtle eye gestures
Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaetteengalaa.Did you ask what that detail was?
Male :Andha vivarathai ennaannu kaettaenungaMale: I asked what that detail was, my dear

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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