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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Paattu Om Manasa

From Paasa Mazhai · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paasa Mazhai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?
Female
Indha paattukkaethaMatching this song,
Thaalam podumBeating the rhythm,
Kaattil paayum odai thaanIt is the stream flowing through the forest,
Pookkal pootha thottam koodaEven the garden full of blooming flowers,
Aattam podum velai thaanIs dancing at this time,
Maalai neram thaan solai oram thaanIt is evening time, beside the grove,
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?
Female
Megangalin paattula thaanIn the song of the clouds,
Thogai mayil aadudhuThe feathered peacock dances,
Minnalgalin paattula thaanIn the song of the lightning,
Thaazhai madal pookkudhuThe fragrant screwpine flower blooms,
Odaigalin paattula thaanIn the song of the streams,
Naanal thalai aattudhuThe reed nods its head,
Ullangalin paattula thaanIn the song of the hearts,
Sondham uruvaagudhuRelationships are born,
Female
Aaga mottham paattula thaanAltogether, in music,
Nooru vagai irukkudhuThere are a hundred varieties,
Thoongugira aalai ellaamAnyone who is sleeping,
Thatti thatti ezhuppudhuIt taps and wakes them up,
Paalaarum oru thaenaarumA river of milk and a river of honey,
Naan paadum podhu…When I sing...
Paayum paaru oorae neeraadaLook at them flow for the whole town to bathe,
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?
Female
Haa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Haa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Haa…..aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aa…Haa…..aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aa…
Haahaahaa haahaahaaHaahaahaa haahaahaa
Haahaahaa haahaahaaHaahaahaa haahaahaa
Female
Vaana mazhai pola inguLike the rain from the sky,
Gaana mazhai oothudhuA rain of music pours here,
Gaana mazhai oothurappoWhen the music rain pours,
Kaattu malli poothadhuThe wild jasmine bloomed,
Kaattu malli poothadhai thaanThat blooming wild jasmine,
Vandu vandhu paathadhuThe beetle came to see,
Vandu vandhu paakkurappoWhen the beetle came to see,
Vanna malar naanudhuThe colorful flower felt shy,
Female
Ethanaiyo raagam vandhuSo many melodies come,
En manasil koodudhuAnd gather in my heart,
Ennam ennum poonguruviThe little bird called thought,
Etti thisai odudhuFlies to all eight directions,
Naan paada pudhu thaen odaAs I sing and fresh honey flows,
En kooda kooda neeyum paadaFor you to sing along with me,
Aasai thonaadhaaDon't you feel the desire?
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?
Female
Indha paattukkaethaMatching this song,
Thaalam podumBeating the rhythm,
Kaattil paayum odai thaanIt is the stream flowing through the forest,
Pookkal pootha thottam koodaEven the garden full of blooming flowers,
Aattam podum velai thaanIs dancing at this time,
Maalai neram thaan solai oram thaanIt is evening time, beside the grove,
Female
Oru paattuA song,
On manasa izhukkudhaaDoes it pull your heart?
Adha kettuHearing that,
On usuru thudikkudhaaDoes your soul throb?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyous celebration of music and its profound connection to nature, emotion, and human spirit. The singer reflects on how music has the intrinsic power to awaken souls, captivate hearts, and evoke dance and blooming across nature. Elements of nature—such as peacocks, streams, lightning, and flowers—are portrayed as active participants responding to melodies, illustrating a universe synchronized by musical rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Gaana mazhai oothudhu

'Gaana mazhai' (Rain of music) metaphors music as a pouring downpour of rain, emphasizing its refreshing abundance.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ennam ennum poonguruvi

'Ennam ennum poonguruvi' compares human thought directly to a small flower-bird flying in all directions.

Personification

Naanal thalai aattudhu

The reed ('Naanal') is personified as nodding its head in rhythmic agreement to the song of streams.

Personification

Vanna malar naanudhu

The flower ('Vanna malar') is personified as feeling bashful or shy upon being gazed at by the beetle.

Rhyme / Ethugai

Vaana mazhai pola ingu / Gaana mazhai oothudhu

'Vaana' and 'Gaana' share second-letter rhyming (Ethugai) and assonance, creating melodic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by veteran lyricist Vaali for the 1989 Tamil film 'Paasa Mazhai'. Vaali frequently used natural motifs like rivers, birds, and flowers to symbolize musical notes and emotional bonds.

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