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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oli Tharum Sooriyan

From Valmiki · 2009

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Ilayaraja, Bela Shende
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Valmiki2009

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Manathil urudhi vendumFirmness in mind is needed
Vaakkinilae inimai vendumSweetness in speech is needed
Vaakkinilae inimai vendumSweetness in speech is needed
Ninaivu nalladhu vendumGood thoughts are needed
Ninaivu nalladhu vendumGood thoughts are needed
Nerungina porul kaippada vendumThe desired goal must be attained
Nerungina porul kaippada vendumThe desired goal must be attained
Female
Oli tharum sooriyanum naanillaiI am not the light-giving sun
Iravinil vaan varum nilavum illaiNor am I the moon that appears in the night sky
Oli tharum sooriyanum naanillaiI am not the light-giving sun
Iravinil vaan varum nilavum illaiNor am I the moon that appears in the night sky
Female
Vilagaadha irulinaiyumEven the darkness that does not leave
Vilakki vaikkum vilakkaanenI became a small lamp that dispels it
Adhu podhum adhu podhumThat is enough, that is enough
En vidiyalukkor kizhakkaanenI became the east for my own dawn
Male
Oli tharum sooriyanum neeyillaiYou are not the light-giving sun
Iravinil vaan varum nilavum illaiNor are you the moon that appears in the night sky
Male
Vilagaadha irulinaiyumEven the darkness that does not leave
Vilakki vaikkum vilakkaanaaiYou became a lamp that dispels it
Adhu podhum adhu podhumThat is enough, that is enough
Un vidiyalukkor kizhakkaanaaiYou became the east for your own dawn
Male
Oli tharum sooriyanum neeyillaiYou are not the light-giving sun
Male
Ennai maatra yen enninaaiWhy did you think of changing me?
Ingu ennai yemaatri vaazhndhavanI was the one who lived deceiving everyone here
Kallai kooda nee kaniya vaikkiraaiYou make even a cold stone soften into fruit
Mullai poovena maatrinaaiYou transformed a sharp thorn into a soft flower
Female
Maarip pogindra ulagilaeIn this ever-changing world
Endrum anbu maaraadhu sollalaamWe can say that love never changes
Ondrum illaadhu oindhu nindraalumEven when standing exhausted with nothing left
Ookkathai anbil oottalaamWe can feed encouragement through love
Male
Ethanai ullam nogaCausing pain to so many hearts
Ennenna seidhavanWhat all evil things I have done
Sathiyam seidhae solvenI state this on solemn oath
Indru thaan manidhanaeOnly today have I truly become a human being
Female
Thirundhiya pinnaeAfter reforming oneself
VarundhuvadhenoWhy regret the past?
Thirundhiya pinnaeAfter reforming oneself
VarundhuvadhenoWhy regret the past?
Varuvadhu vasanthangalaeWhat arrives now is spring
Female
Vanna poo poothuColorful flowers bloom
Vaasam eengengumFragrance surrounds everywhere
Vandhu soozhgindra naal idhuThis is the day that blooms and embraces us
Koiyl maniyosai thendral kaatroduThe temple bell sound along with the gentle breeze
Kaadhil thaen paayum naal idhuThis is the day honey flows into the ears
Male
Konjum kili pola kola kuyil polaLike a talking parrot, like a sweet cuckoo
Pinju manasaagi pogudhuThe mind turns tender like that of an innocent child
Gangai nadhi pola pongum alai polaLike the Ganges river, like surging waves
Ullam ondraagi cherndhadhuOur hearts have united as one
Female
Indru pol endrum endrumJust like today, forever and ever
Nalladhae seiyalaamLet us continue to do good
Ulladhae podhum endruContent with what we have
Nimmadhi kollalaamLet us find true peace
Male
Oru vazhi adaithaalIf one door closes
Maru vazhi thirakkumAnother way will surely open
Oru vazhi adaithaalIf one door closes
Maru vazhi thirakkumAnother way will surely open
Adhisayam adhisayamaeWhat a miracle, a true miracle!
Female
{Oli tharum sooriyanum naanillai{I am not the light-giving sun
Male :Oli tharum sooriyanum naanillaiMale: I am not the light-giving sun
Female :Iravinil vaan varum nilavum illai} (2)Female: Nor am I the moon that appears in the night sky} (2)
Female
Vilagaadha irulinaiyumEven the darkness that does not leave
Vilakki vaikkum vilakkaanenI became a small lamp that dispels it
Adhu podhum adhu podhumThat is enough, that is enough
Un vidiyalukkor kizhakkaanenI became the east for your dawn
Male
Oli tharum sooriyanum neeyillaiYou are not the light-giving sun
Iravinil vaan varum nilavum illaiNor are you the moon that appears in the night sky
Female :Nilavum illaiFemale: Nor the moon
Male :Vilagaadha irulinaiyumMale: Even the darkness that does not leave
Vilakki vaikkum vilakkaanaaiYou became a lamp that dispels it
Adhu podhum adhu podhumThat is enough, that is enough
Un vidiyalukkor kizhakkaanaaiYou became the east for your dawn
Female :Vilakkaanen… kizhakkaanen..(Overlap)Female: I became a lamp... I became the east.. (Overlap)
Male
Oli tharum sooriyanum neeyillaiYou are not the light-giving sun

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical and emotional duet about personal transformation, redemption, and the power of love. The lyrics begin with lines inspired by legendary poet Subramanya Bharathi's verses about seeking strength of mind, sweetness of tongue, and purity of thought. The protagonist reflects on their troubled, deceitful past and acknowledges that while they are not a grand celestial force like the sun or moon, becoming a tiny lamp that dispels inner darkness is more than enough to mark a fresh start.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion

Manathil urudhi vendum

The opening lines 'Manathil urudhi vendum / Vaakkinilae inimai vendum' directly quote Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous poem 'Nalladhor Veenai Seidhe', invoking classical Tamil philosophical thought on moral strength.

Simile (Upamai)

Konjum kili pola kola kuyil pola

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare tender transformation to parrots/cuckoos and flowing rivers joining together.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Vilakki vaikkum vilakkaanen

Metaphorically compares a small act of hope to becoming a lamp ('vilakkaanen') and the direction of dawn ('kizhakkaanen').

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Oli tharum sooriyanum naanillai

The second consonant sound 'li' matches across lines ('Oli' / 'Iravinil').

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening stanza directly borrows lines from Subramania Bharati's iconic 20th-century poem. Lyricist Vaali weaves Bharathiyar's classical poetic philosophical ideals into a modern cinema setting for Valmiki (2009).

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