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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Naal Iravu

From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ilaya Thalaimurai1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru naal iravu thanimaiyil irunthaenOne night, I was alone in solitude
Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaanA thief arrived, a thief arrived
Female
Oru naal iravu thanimaiyil irunthaenOne night, I was alone in solitude
Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaanA thief arrived, a thief arrived
Uththesam vayathu irupathu irukkumHis age would roughly be around twenty
Thirudi kondaanHe stole away
Ennai thirudi kondaanHe stole me away
Uththesam vayathu irupathu irukkumHis age would roughly be around twenty
Thirudi kondaanHe stole away
Ennai thirudi kondaanHe stole me away
Female
Where is a suspenseWhere is the suspense?
He is my husbandHe is my husband!
Where is a suspenseWhere is the suspense?
He is my husbandHe is my husband!
Female
Oru naal iravu thanimaiyil irunthaenOne night, I was alone in solitude
Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaanA thief arrived, a thief arrived
Female
Thodarkathai padikkaiyilWhile reading a serialized story,
Oru pakkam kuraigindrathaeA page seems to be missing!
Idaiveli ragasiyamThe mystery in that gap
Thallaada seigindrathaeIs making me sway and stagger...
Female
Ponnai thottuTouching gold,
Pennai thottuTouching a woman,
AllikkollumAnd snatching them away—
Kalvar koottam ingaeThat gang of thieves is right here!
Kannam rendil kannam ittuPlacing cheek against cheek,
Pinni kollum kalvan indru engaeWhere is that thief today who entwines with me?
Female
Where is a suspenseWhere is the suspense?
He is my husbandHe is my husband!
Female
Oru naal iravu thanimaiyil irunthaenOne night, I was alone in solitude
Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaanA thief arrived, a thief arrived
Female
Nilavuthaan varumendruExpecting the moon to arrive,
Poovondru malargindratheyA flower blossoms!
Nilavaiyum malaraiyumBoth the moon and the flower,
Megangal pirikkindrathaeThe clouds are separating today...
Female
Ennai vittu kannil vaiththuKeeping an eye on me, keeping me in mind,
Indru varai kaaththu dheepamThe lamp of hope waited until today;
Ennam kettu dheepam thannaiCorrupting good intentions,
Yaar anaiththa pothum adhu paavamWhoever extinguishes that lamp, it is a sin!
Female
Where is a suspenseWhere is the suspense?
He is my husbandHe is my husband!
Where is a suspenseWhere is the suspense?
He is my husbandHe is my husband!
Female
Oru naal iravu thanimaiyil irunthaenOne night, I was alone in solitude
Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaanA thief arrived, a thief arrived

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Oru Naal Iravu Thanimaiyil Irunthaen', the female protagonist playfully narrates a story of a mysterious intruder who entered her solitary room one night and 'stole' her away. She builds dramatic tension before jovially breaking the suspense with the English phrase 'Where is a suspense? He is my husband!', revealing that the thief who stole her heart is none other than her wedded partner.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thirudan vanthaan oru thirudan vanthaan

The lover/husband is metaphorically referred to as a 'thief' (thirudan) who steals her heart and her peace of mind.

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Ponnai thottu / Pennai thottu

The second consonant 'nn' (ன்ன) rhymes in consecutive lines ('Ponnai' and 'Pennai').

Iyaipu (End rhyme)

Oru pakkam kuraigindrathae / Idaiveli ragasiyam Thallaada seigindrathae

The lines end with the matching suffixed sound '-gindrathae', creating a musical rhythm.

Muran (Antithesis)

Thirudan (Thief) vs Husband

Contrast between an illegitimate interloper ('thirudan') and a legally/sacredly wedded spouse ('husband').

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1977 Tamil movie 'Ilaya Thalaimurai', this song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela. It is memorable for its catchy blending of a jazzy cabaret/suspense vibe with playful English lines ('Where is a suspense, He is my husband') overlaid on classic Tamil lyrical metaphors.

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