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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kaadhal Devathai

From Sainthadamma Sainthadu · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sainthadamma Sainthadu1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru kaadhal dhevadhaiA goddess of love
Iru kangal poo mazhaiHer two eyes are a shower of flowers
Ival raaja vamsamoIs she of royal lineage?
Radhi dhevi amsamoOr an aspect of Goddess Rathi?
Female
Oru kaadhal naayaganA hero of love
Malar maalai soodinaanHas adorned her with a garland of flowers
Iru kannil aayiramWith a thousand thoughts in his two eyes
Thamizh kavidhai paadinaanHe sang a Tamil poem
Oru kaadhal naayaganA hero of love
Malar maalai soodinaanHas adorned her with a garland of flowers
Male
Thamizh konda vaigai polaeLike the river Vaigai cherished by Tamil
Thirumaeni nadai podaAs her beautiful body walks gracefully
Kaarvendhan naalumEvery day, the king of clouds
Oorgolam pogumGoes on a grand procession
Thaer polum idai aadaAs her waist sways like a temple chariot
Female
Pani pola konjum unnaiAs you coo gently like the soft dew
Paarvaigal edai podaMy glances weigh your beauty
Nee konjam thazhuvaAs you embrace me a little
Naan konjam nazhuvaAs I slip away a little
Naanangal thadai podaShyness places an obstacle
Male
Melaadaiyaai naan maaravoShall I transform into your upper garment?
Female :Koodaadhena naan kooravoFemale: Shall I say that it is forbidden?
Vaa mella vaaCome, softly come
Male
Oru kaadhal dhevadhaiA goddess of love
Iru kangal poo mazhaiHer two eyes are a shower of flowers
Ival raaja vamsamoIs she of royal lineage?
Radhi dhevi amsamoOr an aspect of Goddess Rathi?
Female
Kadal neelam konda koondhalHair that holds the deep blue of the ocean
Kannaa nee poo choodaOh my beloved, for you to adorn with flowers
Madal konda vaazhaiLike a lush plantain leaf
Kadan thandha dhegamA body lent to you as a gift
Mannaa nee kondaadaOh king, for you to celebrate
Male
Maamallan ennai konjumWith the great hero caressing me
Sivagaami neeyaagaAs you become my Sivagami
Kaalangal thorumAcross all ages and times
Azhiyaadha kaadhalAn undying love
Sirpangal uruvaagaSculptures being crafted
Female
Oodal yenum oru naadagamA drama called a lover's quarrel (Oodal)
Male :Koodal thanil arangeridumMale: Will be staged during our union (Koodal)
Vaa nerungi vaaCome, come closer
Female
Oru kaadhal naayaganA hero of love
Male:Malar maalai soodinaanMale: Has adorned her with a garland of flowers
Female :Iru kannil aayiramFemale: With a thousand thoughts in his two eyes
Male :Thamizh kavidhai paadinaanMale: He sang a Tamil poem
Female
Lala laalla laalla laa…La la laalla laalla laa…
Lala laalla laalla laa…La la laalla laalla laa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic, poetic duet from the 1977 movie 'Sainthadamma Sainthadu'. The male lead praises the ethereal beauty of his lover, comparing her grace to the holy Vaigai river, a swaying temple chariot, and the beauty of Goddess Rathi. The lovers engage in playfulness and romantic teasing, navigating the delicate dance between shyness and intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai Ani (Simile)

Thamizh konda vaigai polae Thirumaeni nadai poda

Compares the heroine's graceful walk to the smooth, majestic flow of the river Vaigai.

Metaphor

Iru kangal poo mazhai

Her eyes and glances are directly metaphoricalized as a shower of delicate flowers.

Historical & Literary Allusion

Maamallan ennai konjum Sivagaami neeyaaga

Alludes to the legendary lovers Narasimhavarman I (Maamallan) and Sivagami from Kalki Krishnamurthy's famous Tamil historical novel 'Sivagamiyin Sabatham'.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Kadal neelam konda koondhal / Madal konda vaazhai

The second letter 'da' rhymes in 'Kadal' and 'Madal', creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet-lyricist Vaali, the lyrics extensively draw upon ancient Sangam literature concepts of 'Oodal' (playful lover's quarrel) and 'Koodal' (romantic union), alongside classic Tamil cultural imagery like the Vaigai river and historical references to Pallava sculptures and Maamallan.

Keep listening

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