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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Orayiram Karpanai Male

From Ezhaikkum Kalam Varum · 1975

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oorayiram karpanaiA thousand imaginations
Noor aayiram sindhanaiA hundred thousand thoughts
Raagamae thaalamaeOh melody, oh rhythm
Baavamae odivaa odivaaOh emotion, come running, come running!
Male
Oorayiram karpanaiA thousand imaginations
Noor aayiram sindhanaiA hundred thousand thoughts
Raagamae thaalamaeOh melody, oh rhythm
Baavamae odivaa odivaaOh emotion, come running, come running!
Male
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing
Kaarkaala megangalAre like monsoon clouds
Naan paadum raagangalThe ragas that I sing
Kaarkaala megangalAre like monsoon clouds
Thaen maari peiyumShowering a rain of sweet honey
Theerum thaagangalQuenching all thirst
Male
Thendralin osai pattaagaLike silk caressed by the sound of the breeze
Thennaiyil aadum keetraagaLike coconut fronds swaying in the wind
En manam aadum thaanaagaMy heart dances on its own
Geethamae nadhamae odivaaOh song, oh divine sound, come running!
Male
Oorayiram karpanaiA thousand imaginations
Noor aayiram sindhanaiA hundred thousand thoughts
Male
Oru kodi inbangalEven if ten million pleasures
Ondraaga vandhaalumCome together as one
Oru kodi inbangalEven if ten million pleasures
Ondraaga vandhaalumCome together as one
Uravaadum ullam isai pannoduThe soul mingles in harmony with musical tunes
Male
Ethanai kaalam vaazhndhaalumNo matter how many years I live
Enenna kolam kondaalumWhatever form or role I take
Ennuyir naadham sangeethamThe very breath of my life is music
Geethamae naadhamae odivaaOh song, oh divine sound, come running!
Male
Oorayiram karpanaiA thousand imaginations
Noor aayiram sindhanaiA hundred thousand thoughts
Raagamae thaalamaeOh melody, oh rhythm
Baavamae odivaa odivaaOh emotion, come running, come running!
Odivaa odivaa odivaaCome running, come running, come running!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting and poetic song celebrates the power, depth, and joy of music. The protagonist calls upon melody (Raagam), rhythm (Thaalam), and emotion (Baavam) to flood his mind, which is brimming with thousands of creative imaginations. He compares the ragas he sings to rain-bearing monsoon clouds that shower honey-like sweetness and quench all spiritual and emotional thirst. Nature's elements, such as the gentle breeze and swaying coconut leaves, inspire his soul to dance in harmony with music. The song further conveys that no worldly pleasures—even a crore of delights combined—can equal the ecstatic bond between the human soul and music. Regardless of how long life lasts or what forms or circumstances life presents, the singer asserts that music is the true life-force and core essence of his existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Oorayiram karpanai / Noor aayiram sindhanai

The second consonant 'ra' in 'Oorayiram' and 'Noor' establishes a rhythmic Tamil second-letter rhyming pattern.

Personification

Raagamae thaalamae / Baavamae odivaa odivaa

Abstract musical elements—raga (melody), thala (rhythm), and bhava (emotion)—are personified as entities being called upon to 'come running'.

Simile / Uvamai

Naan paadum raagangal / Kaarkaala megangal

The singer explicitly compares the ragas he sings to 'kaarkaala megangal' (monsoon clouds) that bring refreshing rain.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Raagamae thaalamae / Baavamae

The matching prolonged '-ae' endings across these consecutive words create a pleasing acoustic end rhyme.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar (famously known as 'Mellisai Maamani') and penned by the iconic lyricist Vaali, this song features the expressive voice of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. V. Kumar was renowned for giving classic, melodious tracks during the 1960s and 1970s, and this song serves as a passionate anthem dedicated to the immortal art of Indian classical and light music.

Keep listening

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