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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Patchai Kodi

From Innisai Mazhai · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Innisai Mazhai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag (gave you the green light)
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Iru kannaal kadhai sonnaalShe told a story through her two eyes
Ival idhayam muzhudhumAnd in this woman's entire heart
Unadhu uruvam dhaanOnly your image resides
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Iru kannaal kadhai sonnaalShe told a story through her two eyes
Ival idhayam muzhudhumAnd in this woman's entire heart
Unadhu uruvam dhaanOnly your image resides
Female
Arararara i love youArararara, I love you
Iravu pagal i love uNight and day, I love you
Arararara i love youArararara, I love you
Oh my dear i love youOh my dear, I love you
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Female
Maedaiyil paadidum mellisai poonguyilThe sweet-voiced cuckoo singing on the stage
Jaadaiyil paadinaal arthamae veru thaanIf she sings with subtle gestures, the meaning is entirely different
Sooriyan ponadhum chandhiran vanthathumOnce the sun sets and the moon appears
Thondridum aasaigal ondralla nooru thaanThe desires that arise are not just one, but a hundred
Female
Minnal idai iravinil urangaadhuThe woman with a lightning-thin waist stays awake at night
Neeyum vara urugidum oru maadhuShe melts in longing until you arrive
Vaazhum varai unai idhu vilagaadhuAs long as life remains, this love will never leave you
Pogum vazhi nizhal varum piriyadhuLike a shadow on your path, it will follow without parting
Oodidum kaatraiyum minjidum kaadhal vegamThe speed of love surpasses even the rushing wind
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Female
Nee oru paadagan naan oru pallaviYou are a singer, I am a refrain (pallavi)
Pallavi solliya paadagan paaduvaanThe singer who composed the refrain will sing
Eduthu nee paada thaan yengudhu paatu thaanThe song yearns for you to pick it up and sing it
Ammammaa aiyayaaa paadagan oduvaanOh my, oh dear, will the singer run away?
Female
Thedi varum unakkena oru deepamA lamp comes searching especially for you
Paadi vidu ithil enna pidivaadhamSing it out, why this stubbornness?
Kathirukku unakkena nedu neramIt has been waiting for you for a long time
Sethu vidu itharkkoru subha raagamCompose an auspicious melody (subha raagam) for this
Ennai nee yaetru kol unnidam saranam naanaeAccept me, I take refuge in you
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you
Iru kannaal kadhai sonnaalShe told a story through her two eyes
Ival idhayam muzhudhumAnd in this woman's entire heart
Unadhu uruvam dhaanOnly your image resides
Female
Arararara i love youArararara, I love you
Iravu pagal i love uNight and day, I love you
Arararara i love youArararara, I love you
Oh my dear i love youOh my dear, I love you
Female
Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinenI showed a green flag
Unnai patri kolla kai neetinenI extended my hand to hold you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Patchai Kodi Naan Kaatinen' is a playful and affectionate love song where the female protagonist expresses her deep love and eagerness to unite with her beloved. Using the metaphor of showing a 'green flag', she signals her total consent, readiness, and surrender to love. She describes how her eyes convey stories of affection and how her heart belongs solely to him. Throughout the track, musical metaphors are woven into romantic expressions—referring to the lovers as a singer and a refrain ('pallavi'). She urges him to shed his hesitation and embrace her love, comparing her devotion to a constant shadow and a light waiting for him. The mood is joyful, romantic, and inviting, blending modern declarations of love with traditional poetic expressions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Oru patchai kodi naan kaatinen

The 'green flag' is a modern metaphor used to represent giving permission, readiness, or a green light in love.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Nee oru paadagan naan oru pallavi

Compares the hero to a singer and the heroine to the central musical refrain (pallavi), signifying harmony and interdependence.

Simile / Metaphor

Minnal idai iravinil urangaadhu

'Minnal idai' compares a woman's slender waist to a flash of lightning.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Maedaiyil paadidum mellisai poonguyil

Repetition of the 'M' sound at the start of words ('Maedaiyil', 'mellisai').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Oodidum kaatraiyum minjidum kaadhal vegam

Exaggerates the speed of love as being faster than the rushing wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Innisai Mazhai' (1992) was directed by Shobha Chandrasekar (mother of actor Vijay) and features a music score composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by legendary lyricist Vaali. The film revolves around a music band context, making musical references like 'Pallavi' and 'Paadagan' fittingly thematic to the storyline.

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