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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ondra Iranda

From Selvam · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Selvam
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
12 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla
Ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla
Ulla unarchiyai vaarthaiyil
Vadithu cholla
Ennam ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla
Ulla unarchiyai vaarthaiyil
Vadithu cholla
Ennam ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla
Uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella
Uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella
Naam pirindhadhu ennaalum
Kalandhu kolla
Naan uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella
Naam pirindhadhu ennaalum
Kalandhu kolla
Naan uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella
Nindraal nadandhaal un ninaivu
Nindraal nadandhaal un ninaivu
En ninavae agandraal un kanavu
En ninavae agandraal un kanavu
Kanavu ndraa irandaa eduthu cholla
Ninaivum kanavum enakkaaga
Ninaivum kanavum enakkaaga
En nettriyil kungumam unakkaaga
En nettriyil kungumam unakkaaga
Naan uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella
Kungumam nilaikkum kula magalae
Kungumam nilaikkum kula magalae
Naan kulavida thudippadhu un nizhalae
Naan kulavida thudippadhu un nizhalae
Nizhalum ninaivum anithiyamae
Nizhalum ninaivum anithiyamae
Endrum nilaiyaai nirppadhu sathiyamae
Endrum nilaiyaai nirppadhu sathiyamae
Sathiyamae… sathiyamae…
Is it just one or two to count and tell?
Is it just one or two to count and tell?
To take the feelings in my heart
And shape them into words...
Are my thoughts just one or two to tell?
To take the feelings in my heart
And shape them into words...
Are my thoughts just one or two to tell?
Are we like body and soul to ever drift apart?
Are we like body and soul to ever drift apart?
Did we part only
To unite with each other forever?
Can body and soul ever drift apart?
Did we part only
To unite with each other forever?
Can body and soul ever drift apart?
Standing or walking, I think only of you.
Standing or walking, I think only of you.
If waking thoughts fade, you are in my dreams.
If waking thoughts fade, you are in my dreams.
Are those dreams just one or two to tell?
The thoughts and dreams are for my sake,
The thoughts and dreams are for my sake,
But the kumkum on my forehead is only for you.
But the kumkum on my forehead is only for you.
Can body and soul ever drift apart?
That kumkum will stay forever, my beloved wife.
That kumkum will stay forever, my beloved wife.
Even your shadow is what I long to embrace.
Even your shadow is what I long to embrace.
Shadows and thoughts are only temporary,
Shadows and thoughts are only temporary,
What stands forever is the truth...
What stands forever is the truth...
The truth... the truth...
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song explores deep philosophical questions about love, separation, soul, and truth. The lovers reflect on whether their separation is merely physical (body) or spiritual (soul). They express that despite physical distance, their thoughts, memories, and dreams are inextricably bound together. The female protagonist notes that her thoughts and the sacred vermilion on her forehead exist solely for her lover, while the male response acknowledges that while memories and physical shadows are temporary, their absolute truth and ultimate spiritual union remain eternal.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

“Ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla / Uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella”

Usage of matching initial consonants and vowels like 'Ondraa' and 'Ennam', or 'Uyiraa' and 'Udalaa' across lines creates a rhythmic Tamil poetic meter.

Rhetorical Question

“Ondraa irandaa eduthu cholla”

Asking 'Ondraa irandaa?' (Is it one or two?) emphasizes the uncountable intensity of thoughts and emotions.

Metaphor / Philosophical Contrast

“Uyiraa udalaa pirindhu sella”

Contrasting 'Uyir' (life/soul) and 'Udal' (body) to question whether love's separation affects physical form or spiritual existence.

Antithesis / Ephemeral vs Eternal

“Nizhalum ninaivum anithiyamae / Endrum nilaiyaai nirppadhu sathiyamae”

Contrasting 'Anithiyam' (impermanence of shadows and memories) with 'Sathiyam' (eternal truth).

Did you know?

Trivia

Selvam (1966) starred Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Vaali's lyrics in this track deeply weave philosophical Vedantic concepts of impermanence (Anithiyam) and eternal truth (Sathiyam) into a tender romantic duet.

Keep listening

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