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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oorengum Thiruvizha

From Seeman Petra Selvangal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Seeman Petra Selvangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm mmm mm hmmmHumming...
Haa…aa…aa…aa..Vocalizing melody...
Haa…aa…aa…aa..Vocalizing melody...
Female
Oor engum thiruvizhaThere is a festival everywhere in town,
Unakku mattum thanimaiyaaIs it solitude for you alone?
Ulagam ellaam vizhikkum bodhuWhen the whole world is awake,
Unakku mattum urakkamaaIs it sleep for you alone?
Female
Oor engum thiruvizhaThere is a festival everywhere in town,
Unakku mattum thanimaiyaaIs it solitude for you alone?
Ulagam ellaam vizhikkum bodhuWhen the whole world is awake,
Unakku mattum urakkamaaIs it sleep for you alone?
Female
Olai kudisai aruginilaeNear the thatched hut,
Oruthi irukkiraala woman stands waiting.
Nilaa oliyai kondu avlUsing the light of the moon,
Mugathai oruvan paarkkindraana man gazes at her face.
Female
Ezhai nenjam serndhu kaanumThe sweetness that poor hearts experience together,
Inimai vendumaado you desire that delight?
Nalla iravirundhum uravirundhumDespite having a good night and a loving companion,
Thanimaiyaaagumashould one still remain in solitude?
Female
Oor engum thiruvizhaThere is a festival everywhere in town,
Unakku mattum thanimaiyaaIs it solitude for you alone?
Ulagam ellaam vizhikkum bodhuWhen the whole world is awake,
Unakku mattum urakkamaaIs it sleep for you alone?
Female
Mangalukkum mayilgalukkumEven young women and peacocks,
Kaadhal theriyumaeunderstand the feeling of love.
Vanna malargalukkum thendralukkumEven colorful flowers and the gentle breeze,
Uravu puriyumaecomprehend their bond.
Female
Deavn thandha suvaiyallavaaIs desire not a sweet taste,
Aasai enbadhugifted by God himself?
Adhai therindhu kondathaal allavaaIs it not because humanity understood this,
Ulagam valarndhadhuthat the world grew and prospered?
Female
Oor engum thiruvizhaThere is a festival everywhere in town,
Unakku mattum thanimaiyaaIs it solitude for you alone?
Ulagam ellaam vizhikkum bodhuWhen the whole world is awake,
Unakku mattum urakkamaaIs it sleep for you alone?
Female
Aval varattum endrirukkumLet her come first, thinks
Aan magan nenjamthe man's proud heart.
Illai avar avrattum endrirukkumNo, let him come first, thinks
Pen magal ullamthe woman's shy mind.
Female
Yaar mudhalil pesinaalumWhoever speaks first,
Tholvi avarukkusuffers a defeat in ego.
Aanaal aasaiyilae neendhum bodhuBut when swimming in the ocean of desire,
Vettri yaarukku vettri yarukkuwho wins, truly who wins?
Female
Oor engum thiruvizhaThere is a festival everywhere in town,
Unakku mattum thanimaiyaaIs it solitude for you alone?
Ulagam ellaam vizhikkum bodhuWhen the whole world is awake,
Unakku mattum urakkamaaIs it sleep for you alone?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Seeman Petra Selvangal' (1962), penned by Kannadasan and sung sweetly by P. Susheela under T. R. Pappa's music composition, is a playful yet philosophical romantic teasing. The speaker questions why her beloved remains distant and asleep while the rest of the world celebrates togetherness and love. She compares human romantic instincts to the natural affinity found between peacocks, flowers, and breezes, noting that God created desire as a force for the world to flourish. In the final verse, she insightfuly depicts the subtle game of pride and hesitation between lovers—where neither wants to break the silence first out of fear of losing their ego, yet ultimately both triumph when surrender to love takes over.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Unakku mattum thanimaiyaa

The speaker repeatedly poses questions ('Is it solitude for you alone?', 'Who wins?') not to seek answers but to gently tease her beloved and emphasize love's universality.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Mangalukkum mayilgalukkum / Vanna malargalukkum thendralukkum

The second consonant sound 'r' ('oor' / 'ula') or 'n' ('manga' / 'vanna') rhymes across lines, creating a smooth lyrical rhythm characteristic of classic Tamil poetry.

Nature Metaphor / Imagery

Vanna malargalukkum thendralukkum uravu puriyumae

Kannadasan utilizes nature elements such as moonlit huts, flowers, breezes, and peacocks to depict romantic intimacy and harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features a iconic composition by T. R. Pappa with playback by P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyricism brilliantly combines everyday romantic banter with profound societal and emotional observations about human nature and romantic pride.

Keep listening

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