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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ore Mugam Nila Mugam

From Oppantham · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oppantham1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...
Orae mugam nilaa mugam ullaasamaai nadakkumA moon-like face walks joyfully
Aasai malar manjam aada vendum konjamThe flower bed of desire needs to sway a little
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...
Female
Paavai vanna kovil undu dhevi allavoIs she not the goddess of this colorful temple of a maiden?
Jaadhi mullai kaadhalukku thoodhu vandhadhoDid the royal jasmine flower come as a messenger for love?
Thandham poottidum kaigalHands adorned like precious ivory
Thanga thaergalo kaalgalAre those legs golden chariots?
Kaadhal dhevanThe god of love
Dheepam yaendhum kangal allavoAre those eyes not holding a shining lamp?
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...
Female
Kolam paarthu chinna chinnaLooking at the rangoli patterns, if these tiny
Kangal vaadinaaleyes withered in fatigue
Kozhi koppam kondu vandhae kappam kattuvaalShe would bring her anger and pay tribute like a queen
Maeni veenai meettum naeram vandhadhae endruSaying that the time to strum the lute of the body has arrived
Mella sellum chella thendral thoodhu sollumaeThe gentle, cherished breeze carries and whispers the message
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...
Female
Lallallal laalaa laa…Lallallal laalaa laa…
Laalaala laalaala lalalal lalalal laa…Laalaala laalaala lalalal lalalal laa…
Lallallal laallaa laalaa…Lallallal laallaa laalaa…
Laalalla lallaala lalalal lalalal laa…Laalalla lallaala lalalal lalalal laa…
Female
Kaadhal dhevan bodhai thandhaanThe god of love bestowed intoxication
Kaalgal pinnavaeAs the legs falter and entwine
Kannam rendil chinnam thandhaalIf she leaves a mark of love on both cheeks
Kangal minnumaeThe eyes will sparkle brightly
Kaigal maalaiyaai maarumHands will embrace like a garland
Kannam yaengumae naalumThe cheeks will yearn every single day
Aadai illaa maedai melae aasai vellamoIs it a flood of desire upon a stage stripped of clothing?
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...
Orae mugam nilaa mugam ullaasamaai nadakkumA moon-like face walks joyfully
Aasai malar manjam aada vaendum konjamThe flower bed of desire needs to sway a little
Female
Orae mugam… nilaa mugam…One single face... a moon-like face...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply romantic and sensual composition centered around themes of beauty, passion, and intimate desire. The lyrics express admiration for the heroine's enchanting features, comparing her face to the radiant moon, her body to a sacred temple and a music-producing veena, and her delicate legs to golden chariots. As the song unfolds, it describes the emotional and physical intoxication brought by love. The gentle breeze acts as a messenger of passion, setting the mood for two lovers who surrender to their mutual longing and desire, making it an evocative piece written in classic romantic imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaai (Metaphor/Simile)

Orae mugam nilaa mugam ullaasamaai nadakkum

Compares the beloved's radiant face directly to the moon ('nilaa mugam').

Metaphor

Thanga thaergalo kaalgal

Her legs are poetically conceptualized as majestic 'golden chariots' ('Thanga thaergal').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaadhal dhevan bodhai thandhaan / Kaalgal pinnavae

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of consecutive ideas ('Kaadhal', 'Kaalgal').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kannam rendil chinnam thandhaal / Kangal minnumae

Matching ending rhyming sounds in close sequence ('thandhaal', 'minnumae').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran for the 1983 Tamil film 'Oppantham'. Gangai Amaran, well known as a versatile lyricist, director, and composer, frequently infused traditional Tamil poetic tropes (such as comparing a woman's body to musical instruments or temples) into 1980s film songs.

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