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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oorukkum Theriyaadhu Yaarukkum Puriyaadhu Sad

From Madappura · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Madappura1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand,
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand,
Unnai enni kanavu kanduDreaming while thinking of you,
Ullam yenguvadhuHow my heart yearns.
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand.
Female
Unnudanae naan irukkumThat I am with you,
Ennudanae nee irukkumThat you are with me,
Unmaiyai ulagam ariyaadhuThis truth, the world does not know,
Unmaiyai ulagam ariyaadhuThis truth, the world does not know.
Unaiyandri vaazhkkaiyum yedhuWhat is life without you?
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand.
Female
Kaanbadhellaam un uruvamEverything I see is your form,
Ketpadhellaam unadhu kuralEverything I hear is your voice,
Kaanbadhellaam un uruvamEverything I see is your form,
Ketpadhellaam unadhu kuralEverything I hear is your voice.
Kangalai urakkam thazhuvaadhuSleep does not embrace my eyes,
Kangalai urakkam thazhuvaadhuSleep does not embrace my eyes,
Anbullam thavithidum podhuWhen a loving heart suffers in anguish.
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand,
Unnai enni kanavu kanduDreaming while thinking of you,
Ullam yenguvadhuHow my heart yearns.
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one can understand.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the secret and profound inner longing of a lover. The protagonist sings about a deep, sacred emotional connection that remains unseen and incomprehensible to society at large. The world outside remains completely unaware of how the lover constantly thinks of, dreams about, and yearns for their beloved. The lyricism highlights the intensity of this devotion—where every sight appears as the beloved's form and every sound echoes their voice. Unable to sleep due to the yearning ache of love, the protagonist affirms that existence itself is meaningless without their partner, beautifully capturing the sweet agony of secret romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Oorukkum theriyaadhu / Yaarukkum puriyaadhu

The second consonant 'ru' (ரு) in 'Oorukkum' matches with 'Yaarukkum', creating a rhythmic cadence in the opening lines.

Iyaipu (End rhyme)

theriyaadhu / puriyaadhu / ariyaadhu

The line endings consistently rhyme with the suffix '-aadhu', adding a lyrical continuity throughout the refrain.

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Unnudanae naan irukkum / Ennudanae nee irukkum

The second letter 'n' (ன்) in 'Unnudanae' and 'Ennudanae' rhymes, reinforcing the thematic symmetry of 'you with me' and 'me with you'.

Personification

Kangalai urakkam thazhuvaadhu

Sleep ('urakkam') is personified as a person capable of embracing ('thazhuvaadhu') the eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Oorukkum Theriyaadhu' is from the 1962 Tamil action drama film 'Madappura', starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The movie's soundtrack was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. A. Maruthakasi was renowned for his ability to write folk-inspired, emotionally evocative lyrics using accessible, evocative Tamil imagery.

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