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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Or Aayiram Nadagam

From Sumathi En Sundari · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sumathi En Sundari1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Or aayiram naadagam aadinaalShe performed a thousand dramas,
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Poo maalaigal maeniyil soodinaalShe adorned her body with flower garlands,
Aruvi azhagil aruvi azhagil aa…In the beauty of a waterfall, in the beauty of a waterfall, ah…
Baavanai kaattinaal baavanai kaattinaalShe struck poetic poses, she struck poetic poses.
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Or aayiram naadagam aadinaalShe performed a thousand dramas,
Female
Thaeyilaiyin thalai thadaviCaressing the tops of the tea leaves,
Sellum ilam kaattruThe gentle breeze passes by,
Thaeyilaiyin thalai thadaviCaressing the tops of the tea leaves,
Sellum ilam kaattruThe gentle breeze passes by,
Mella mella killi killiPlucking gently, slowly,
Kaiyeduthu alli alliGathering hands full,
Kaaleduthu thulli chellum pulli maanoIs she a spotted deer leaping away gracefully?
Mella mella killi killiPlucking gently, slowly,
Kaiyeduthu alli alliGathering hands full,
Kaaleduthu thulli chellum pulli maanoIs she a spotted deer leaping away gracefully?
Female
Kaanum azhagennavao aahaaOh, what a sight of beauty this is!
Kannil kalaiyennavoWhat artistry lies in her eyes?
Kaanum azhagennavao aahaaOh, what a sight of beauty this is!
Kannil kalaiyennavoWhat artistry lies in her eyes?
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Or aayiram naadagam aadinaalShe performed a thousand dramas,
Female
Ilaiya magal maeniyinaiThe body of the young daughter,
Iyarkkai thaalaattaAs Nature sings a lullaby to it,
Oho oho oho oho oho…Oho oho oho oho oho…
Oho oho oho oho …ohoho…Oho oho oho oho… ohoho…
Female
Ilaiya magal maeniyinaiThe body of the young daughter,
Iyarkkai thaalaattaAs Nature sings a lullaby to it,
Naadu vittu kaadu vandhuLeaving the town to come into the forest,
Naan padaitha inbam inguThe joy I have created here,
Vaazha vaikka vendum yennai nalamaagaMust keep me living well and happily.
Naadu vittu kaadu vandhuLeaving the town to come into the forest,
Naan padaitha inbam inguThe joy I have created here,
Vaazha vaikka vendum yennai nalamaagaMust keep me living well and happily.
Female
Kaanum azhagennavao aahaaOh, what a sight of beauty this is!
Kannil kalaiyennavoWhat artistry lies in her eyes?
Kaanum azhagennavao aahaaOh, what a sight of beauty this is!
Kannil kalaiyennavoWhat artistry lies in her eyes?
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Or aayiram naadagam aadinaalShe performed a thousand dramas,
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Poo maalaigal maeniyil soodinaalShe adorned her body with flower garlands,
Aruvi azhagil aruvi azhagil aa…In the beauty of a waterfall, in the beauty of a waterfall, ah…
Baavanai kaattinaal baavanai kaattinaalShe struck poetic poses, she struck poetic poses.
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Lallalalla lalla laala laaLallalalla lalla laala laa
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Lallalalla lalla laala laaLallalalla lalla laala laa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Or Aayiram Naadagam Aadinaal' is a scenic and romantic celebration of female beauty seamlessly intertwined with nature's splendor. Set against lush hill-station landscapes and tea gardens, the song captures the expressive grace of a young woman whose every gesture feels like a dramatic performance. The lyricist compares her swift, delicate movements while plucking tea leaves to a leaping spotted deer, while the breeze and waterfalls complement her expressive charms. As the song progresses, the narrative expresses a deep appreciation for escaping the chaotic town life to find solace and creative joy in nature's quiet embrace. With nature acting as a mother singing a lullaby, the protagonist finds peace and renewal in this idyllic environment, marveling at the artistry reflected in her eyes and the serene happiness created around them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaaleduthu thulli chellum pulli maano

Compares the agile, swift movements of the woman picking tea leaves to a bounding spotted deer (pulli maan).

Personification

Thaeyilaiyin thalai thadavi sellum ilam kaattru

The gentle breeze is personified as having hands that lovingly caress the tops of tea leaves.

Personification

Iyarkkai thaalaatta

Nature is personified as a mother singing a soothing lullaby to her young daughter.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Refrain / End Rhyme)

Mella mella killi killi / Kaiyeduthu alli alli / Kaaleduthu thulli...

Use of internal rhyming words ('killi', 'alli', 'thulli') creates a rhythmic, musical bounce echoing the movement of plucking leaves.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaanum azhagennavao / Kannil kalaiyennavo

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines enhances poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1971 romantic comedy 'Sumathi En Sundari', directed by C. V. Sridhar, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The song features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and was sung by P. Susheela alongside T. M. Soundararajan. Filmed in picturesque tea estates, Kannadasan's lyrics vividly incorporate the hill station surroundings into the romantic narrative.

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