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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oraayiram Karpanai Male

From Ezhaikkum Kaalam Varum · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Ezhaikkum Kaalam Varum1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oraayiram karpanai…A thousand imaginations...
Nooraayiram sindhanai…A hundred thousand thoughts...
Raagamae thaalamae baavamaeOh melody, rhythm, and emotion!
Odi vaa odi vaa…Come running, come running...
Male
Oraayiram karpanai…A thousand imaginations...
Nooraayiram sindhanai…A hundred thousand thoughts...
Raagamae thaalamae baavamaeOh melody, rhythm, and emotion!
Odi vaa odi vaa…Come running, come running...
Male
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing
Kaar kaala megangalAre like rainy monsoon clouds
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing
Kaar kaala megangalAre like rainy monsoon clouds
Thaen maari peiyum theerum dhaagangalRain showers of honey that quench all thirsts
Male
Thendralin osai paattaagaWith the sound of the breeze becoming a song
Thennaiyil aadum keetraagaLike the sway of coconut fronds
En manam aadum thaanaagaMy heart dances spontaneously
Geethamae naadhamae odi vaaOh song, oh divine sound, come running!
Male
Oraayiram karpanai…A thousand imaginations...
Nooraayiram sindhanai…A hundred thousand thoughts...
Male
Oru kodi inbangalEven if ten million pleasures
Ondraaga vandhaalumCome all at once
Oru kodi inbangalEven if ten million pleasures
Ondraaga vandhaalumCome all at once
Uravaadum ullam isai pannoduThe heart bonds with the musical melody
Male
Ethanai kaalam vaazhndhaalumNo matter how long life lasts
Ennenna kolam kondaalumWhatever forms or phases I assume
En uyir naadham sangeethamMy life's very breath and soul is music
Geethamae naadhamae odi vaaOh song, oh divine sound, come running!
Male
Oraayiram karpanai…A thousand imaginations...
Nooraayiram sindhanai…A hundred thousand thoughts...
Raagamae thaalamae baavamaeOh melody, rhythm, and emotion!
Odi vaa odi vaa…Come running, come running...
Odi vaa odi vaa… odi vaa odi vaa…Come running, come running... come running, come running...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oraayiram Karpanai' is a poetic and soulful tribute to the transcendent power of music. The protagonist calls upon melody (Raagam), rhythm (Thaalam), and emotion (Baavam) to rush into their mind, where thousands of thoughts and creative visions await. The song compares musical ragas to cool monsoon clouds that bring sweet relief to a thirsty heart, illustrating how music seamlessly blends with the natural rhythms of the world—like the breeze and swaying palm leaves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Raagamae thaalamae baavamae / Odi vaa odi vaa…

Abstract musical elements (Melody, Rhythm, Emotion) are personified as living entities being called to 'come running'.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Naan paadum raagangal / Kaar kaala megangal

The singer's ragas are directly compared to dark, rain-bearing monsoon clouds that bring cooling relief.

Ethugai (Second-letter Assonance)

Naan paadum raagangal / Kaar kaala megangal

The second consonant sound 'ga' (க) matches in 'raagangal' and 'megangal'.

Metaphor

Thaen maari peiyum theerum dhaagangal

Music's soothing nature is described as a 'shower of honey' (Thaen maari) that quenches emotional thirst.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic Tamil lyricist Vaali for the 1975 film 'Ezhaikkum Kaalam Varum', this song poetically invokes the three key pillars of Indian classical performance arts: Raagam (Melody), Thaalam (Rhythm), and Baavam (Emotional expression).

Keep listening

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