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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oorukkum Theriyaadhu Yaarukkum Puriyaadhu

From Madappura · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Madappura1962

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Aahhahaa…Aahhahaa…
Male :Aahhahaa… aahaaMale: Aahhahaa… aahaa
Female :Ohhaho… ohoFemale: Ohhaho… oho
Male :Ohhaho… ohoMale: Ohhaho… oho
Both :Lallallaa… lallallaa… laalallaa…Both: Lallallaa… lallallaa… laalallaa…
Male
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Unnai enni kanavu kanduDreaming while thinking of you,
Ullam yenguvadhu…How my heart longs…
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Unnai enni kanavu kanduDreaming while thinking of you,
Ullam yenguvadhu…How my heart longs…
Male
Unnudanae naan irukkumMe being with you,
Ennudanae nee irukkumYou being with me,
Unnudanae naan irukkumMe being with you,
Ennudanae nee irukkumYou being with me,
Female
Unmaiyai ulagam ariyaadhuThe world doesn't know the truth,
Unmaiyai ulagam ariyaadhuThe world doesn't know the truth,
Unnai indri vaazhkkai yedhuWhat is life without you?
Female
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Male :Unnai enniMale: Thinking of you,
Female :O… ho…Female: O… ho…
Male :Kanavu kandu ullam yenguvadhu…Male: Dreaming and how my heart longs…
Both :Oorukkum theriyaadhuBoth: The town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Female
Kaanbadhellaam un uruvamEverything I see is your image,
Ketpadhellaam unadhu kuralEverything I hear is your voice,
Kaanbadhellaam un uruvamEverything I see is your image,
Ketpadhellaam unadhu kuralEverything I hear is your voice,
Male
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,
Male
Oorukkum theriyaadhuThe town does not know,
Yaarukkum puriyaadhuNo one understands,
Female :Unnai enniFemale: Thinking of you,
Male
Aa… haa…Aa… haa…
Female
Kanavu kandu ullam yenguvadhu…Dreaming and how my heart longs…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from the 1962 Tamil film 'Madappura' articulates the sweet secrecy and deep emotional bond between two lovers. The lyrics reflect on how society and the world remain entirely oblivious to their intimate feelings, secret dreams, and longing hearts. The couple expresses how their shared truth remains hidden from the public eye, emphasizing that life is meaningless without each other. The song moves through stages of secret intimacy, sensory yearning, and sleepless devotion. The lovers describe a state where every vision is the beloved's form and every sound is their voice. Ultimately, it highlights the bittersweet beauty of loving someone deeply in secret, where the world outside remains unaware of the emotional storm and deep affection within.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Oorukkum theriyaadhu / Yaarukkum puriyaadhu”

The words 'theriyaadhu' and 'puriyaadhu' end with the exact same rhyming sound (-aadhu), creating a melodic cadence.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Oorukkum theriyaadhu / Yaarukkum puriyaadhu”

The second consonant sound 'ru' matches across 'Oorukkum' and 'Yaarukkum', adhering to classical Tamil poetic meter.

Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)

“Kaanbadhellaam un uruvam / Ketpadhellaam unadhu kural”

The initial letter 'K' is repeated in 'Kaanbadhellaam' and 'Ketpadhellaam', giving rhythmic symmetry to the verse.

Personification

“Kangalai urakkam thazhuvaadhu”

Sleep ('urakkam') is personified as a person who embraces ('thazhuvaadhu') the eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Oorukkum Theriyaadhu' is from the 1962 action-drama film 'Madappura', starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The film's music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by the veteran lyricist A. Maruthakasi. Sung by the iconic playback duo T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this track remains a celebrated melody representing secret, romantic yearning in classic Tamil cinema.

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