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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Or Iravil Unnai

From Sondham 16 · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Sondham 161986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
En kanavil indha poo poothadhuThis flower bloomed in my dream
Nee thaan kanmani nenjil vaazhum kaaviyamYou alone, my precious, are an epic living in my heart
Neril vandha oviyamA living painting brought to life
Female
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Un kanavil indha poo poothadhuThis flower bloomed in your dream
Nee thaan kannanae nenjil vaazhum kaaviyamYou alone, my beloved, are an epic living in my heart
Neril vandha oviyam..mm…A living painting brought to life..mm…
Male
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you
Female
Kaadhalan vandhoruWhen the lover arrives
Manmadha mandhiramAnd whispers the spell of Cupid
Kaadhinil odhidaIn the ear
Vaadaadho dhegam thaanWon't the body wither in desire?
Male
Aa… aaa…vaadiya velaiyilAh… aaa… when it withers
Vaaliba megamumThe cloud of youth
Vergalil neendhidaReaches deep into the roots
Theeraadho dhaagam thaanWon't this endless thirst be quenched?
Female
Koduthaal eduthaalIf love is given and taken mutually
Sugam kodi kaanalaamCrores of blissful moments can be experienced
Koduthaal eduthaalIf given and taken
Male :HaanMale: Yeah
Female :Sugam kodi kaanalaamFemale: Crores of blissful moments can be experienced
Male :HahahaMale: Hahaha
Male
Aa… tholgal meedhu saayum podhuAh… while leaning upon your shoulders
Thaevai illai poo manjamThere is no need for a bed of flowers
Female
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Male
En kanavil indha poo poothadhuThis flower bloomed in my dream
Female
Nee thaan kannanaeYou alone, my beloved
Nenjil vaazhum kaaviyamAn epic living in my heart
Neril vandha oviyamA living painting brought to life
Male
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you
Male
Aa… oorvasi maenagaiAh… like Urvashi or Menaka
Pol oru poo nagaiA flower-like smile
Kaathidum dhevadhaiA celestial goddess who guards me
Nee thaano sollammaaIs it really you? Tell me, my dear
Female
Aa… or puram kulirndhidaAh… while one side cools down
Or puram kodhithidaThe other side boils inside
Yekkangal thaakkudhuYearnings attack me
Yen thaano ammammaaWhy is it so, oh dear?
Male
Mana naal varalaamThe wedding day may arrive
Oru maalai soodalaamWe can wear the wedding garland
Mana naal varalaamThe wedding day may arrive
Female :HaanFemale: Yeah
Male :Oru maalai soodalaamMale: We can wear the wedding garland
Female :HaanFemale: Yeah
Female
Meendum meendumTime and time again
Theendum podhuWhen we touch each other
Paaivadhenna thaen vellamWhy does a flood of honey flow?
Male
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Female
Un kanavil indha poo poothadhuThis flower bloomed in your dream
Male
Nee thaan kanmani nenjil vaazhum kaaviyamYou alone, my precious, are an epic living in my heart
Neril vandha oviyamA living painting brought to life
Female
Or iravil unnai naan paarthadhuI saw you one night
Male
En kanavil indha poo poothadhuThis flower bloomed in my dream

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track from 'Sondham 16' expresses the passionate affection and poetic connection between two lovers. They describe each other as a living epic ('kaaviyam') and a masterpiece painting ('oviyam') brought to reality. The song unfolds as a tender conversation where both express their deep intimacy, comparing their shared touch to a flood of sweet nectar and their emotional connection to a dream taking physical form.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம் - Uruvagam)

Nee thaan kanmani nenjil vaazhum kaaviyam / Neril vandha oviyam

The lover is directly metaphorized as a living epic poem residing in the heart and a painting materialized in real life.

Simile (உவமை - Uvamai)

Oorvasi maenagai / Pol oru poo nagai

The lover's gentle, flower-like smile is compared to the enchanting divine damsels Urvashi and Menaka using the simile marker 'pol'.

Hyperbole / Sensory Imagery

Meendum meendum / Theendum podhu / Paaivadhenna thaen vellam

Exaggerates the sensation of physical touch, describing it vividly as an overflowing flood of honey.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sondham 16' is a 1986 Tamil film starring Mohan and Ambika. The lyrics for this song were penned by Vaali, who vividly captures the romantic atmosphere and poetic wordplay characteristic of mid-80s Tamil cinema duets.

Keep listening

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