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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Osai Illatha Mozhi

From Manaivi · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manaivi1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oosaiyilladha mozhiA language without sound,
Uravamilladha mozhiA language without form,
Thoodhu sendru varum mozhiA language that acts as a messenger going back and forth,
Adhai sollum kaadhalargal vizhi ahaahaaIs spoken by the eyes of lovers, ahahaha.
Female
Oosaiyilladha mozhiA language without sound,
Uravamilladha mozhiA language without form,
Thoodhu sendru varum mozhiA language that acts as a messenger going back and forth,
Adhai sollum kaadhalargal vizhi ahaahaaIs spoken by the eyes of lovers, ahahaha.
Both :Oosaiyilladha mozhiBoth: A language without sound,
Male
Paravai jodigal uravu kolvadhumWhen pairs of birds bond with each other,
Baashai pesithaanoIs it by speaking a spoken language?
Female :Malarum poovilae amarum vandaiyumFemale: And the bee resting upon a blooming flower,
Uvamai sollalaamaCan we use that as a simile?
Male
Paravai jodigal uravu kolvadhumWhen pairs of birds bond with each other,
Baashai pesithaanoIs it by speaking a spoken language?
Female :Malarum poovilae amarum vandaiyumFemale: And the bee resting upon a blooming flower,
Uvamai sollalaamaCan we use that as a simile?
Male
Nadhigal oodum ottamThe swift flow of running rivers,
Female :Adhan karaiyil aadum thottamFemale: And the garden swaying on its banks,
Both :Nadhiyinal varum thottam polaveBoth: Just like the garden that flourishes because of the river,
Namadhu kaadhal naattam namadhu kaadhal nattamSo is our desire for love, our deep pursuit of love.
Male
Oosaiyilladha mozhiA language without sound,
Female :Uravamilladha mozhiFemale: A language without form,
Male :Thoodhu sendru varum mozhiMale: A language that acts as a messenger going back and forth,
Female :Adhai sollum kaadhalargal vizhi ahaahaaFemale: Is spoken by the eyes of lovers, ahahaha.
Both :Oosaiyilladha mozhiBoth: A language without sound,
Male
Pachai pullinaal malaiyil aandavanWith green grass on the mountain, God
Methai pottu vaithaanLaid out a soft bed for us,
Female :Pakkam pakkamaai iruvar nenjaiyumFemale: Side by side, the hearts of us both,
Pazhagi paarkka veithaanHe allowed us to get to know each other,
Male
Pachai pullinaal malaiyil aandavanWith green grass on the mountain, God
Methai pottu vaithaanLaid out a soft bed for us,
Female :Pakkam pakkamaai iruvar nenjaiyumFemale: Side by side, the hearts of us both,
Pazhagi paarkka veithaanHe allowed us to get to know each other,
Male
Thottu paarkka veithaanHe allowed us to touch and feel,
Female :Thodarnthu pesa veithaanFemale: He allowed us to converse endlessly,
Both :Kottum venpani kulirilaeBoth: In the chilly cold of falling white snow,
Sugam kondu vandhu veithaanHe brought forth warm bliss.
Male
Oosaiyilladha mozhiA language without sound,
Female :Uravamilladha mozhiFemale: A language without form,
Male :Thoodhu sendru varum mozhiMale: A language that acts as a messenger going back and forth,
Female :Adhai sollum kaadhalargal vizhi ahaahaaFemale: Is spoken by the eyes of lovers, ahahaha.
Both :Oosaiyilladha mozhiBoth: A language without sound.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oosaiyilladha mozhi' celebrates the silent, unspoken language of love communicated entirely through the eyes and deep glances of lovers. It emphasizes that real connection does not require physical spoken words or explicit forms, drawing romantic analogies from nature—such as paired birds bonding silently, bees visiting flowers, and riverbanks blossoming because of flowing streams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oosaiyilladha mozhi / Uravamilladha mozhi / Thoodhu sendru varum mozhi

The repetitive ending with the word 'mozhi' (language) across consecutive lines creates an elegant musical rhythm.

Uvamai (Simile)

Nadhiyinal varum thottam polave / Namadhu kaadhal naattam

The lovers' mutual attraction and burgeoning romance are explicitly compared using 'polave' (just like) to a lush garden nurtured by a flowing river.

Personification / Visual Imagery

Pachai pullinaal malaiyil aandavan / Methai pottu vaithaan

The lyricist paints a vivid picture of nature, personifying God as a host who rolls out a mattress made of green mountain grass for the lovers.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Pachai pullinaal / Pazhagi paarkka veithaan

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in lines 27 and 30 creates poetic cadence.

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Trivia

This romantic classic from the 1969 film 'Manaivi' features music composed by the legendary 'Mellisai Mannar' contemporary K. V. Mahadevan. The lyrics were penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, who was renowned for translating complex, abstract romantic emotions into simple natural metaphors. The song is sung by the iconic duo T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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