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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ottrai Kilaithanil

From Anthasthu · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Anthasthu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Ottrai kilaithanil rettai kanigalumDid twin fruits hang on a single branch?
Thoththi kondanavoDid they hang there?
Female :Thoththi kondathai mottu paingkiliFemale: The hanging fruit, will a young parrot...
Koththi thindridumo...peck at and consume it?
Male
Otti kollavoShall I cling to you?
Female :Konjam etti sellavoFemale: Should I step away a little?
Male
Arugae naan varalaamoMay I come near you?
Ini achcham ennadiyoWhy fear anymore, my dear?
Arugae naan varalaamoMay I come near you?
Ini achcham ennadiyo…..} (2)Why fear anymore, my dear?
Male
Aa….mogamenna mogam unai paarththathaalaeAh... what intense passion upon looking at you!
Yaezhu varna jaalam vizhi jaadai melaeSeven-colored magic upon the glance of your eyes.
Female :Vegamenna vegam enai saerumpothuFemale: What speed, what haste as you join me!
Pothum indru pothum idai thaangidaathuEnough for today, my waist cannot bear it.
Female
Idhilenna kalakkam idhuthaanWhy this hesitation? This is...
Ilamaiyin mayakkam...the intoxication of youth.
Idhilenna kalakkam idhuthaanWhy this hesitation? This is...
Ilamaiyin mayakkam...the intoxication of youth.
Female
Medhuvaaga padhamaaga nadai podumWalking softly and gently...
Poongkodi naan...I am a flowering creeper.
Edhuvaaga padhamaaga nadai podumWalking smoothly and gently...
Poongkodi naan...I am a flowering creeper.
Male
Ottrai kilaithanil rettai kanigalumDid twin fruits hang on a single branch?
Thoththi kondanavoDid they hang there?
Female :Thoththi kondathai mottu paingkiliFemale: The hanging fruit, will a young parrot...
Koththi thindridumo...peck at and consume it?
Male
Otti kollavoShall I cling to you?
Female :Konjam etti sellavoFemale: Should I step away a little?
Male
Arugae naan varalaamoMay I come near you?
Ini achcham ennadiyoWhy fear anymore, my dear?
Female :Aah…aa…Female: Aah... aa...
Male :Arugae naan varalaamoMale: May I come near you?
Ini achcham ennadiyo…..Why fear anymore, my dear?
Female
Yaededuththu naanum padikkaatha vedhamA Veda that I haven't read from a book,
Kaiyanaiththu neeyum isaikkindra geethamIs the song that you play while embracing me.
Male :Vaanilirunthu megam tharai saerum neramMale: When clouds from the sky reach the ground,
Vaadugindra thegam kulir kaana koodumThe languishing body will experience the cool embrace.
Female
Iravugal varattumLet the nights come,
Innum uravugal vilangumThe bond will illuminate even further.
Iravugal varattumLet the nights come,
Innum uravugal vilangumThe bond will illuminate even further.
Male
Madi meedhu vizha vendumShould fall upon my lap,
Intha thanga thaamaraiyeThis golden lotus!
Madi meedhu vizha vendumShould fall upon my lap,
Intha thanga thaamaraiyeThis golden lotus!
Male
Ottrai kilaithanil rettai kanigalumDid twin fruits hang on a single branch?
Thoththi kondanavoDid they hang there?
Female :Thoththi kondathai mottu paingkiliFemale: The hanging fruit, will a young parrot...
Koththi thindridumo...peck at and consume it?
Male
Otti kollavoShall I cling to you?
Female :Konjam etti sellavoFemale: Should I step away a little?
Male
Arugae naan varalaamoMay I come near you?
Ini achcham ennadiyoWhy fear anymore, my dear?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet explores the playful intimacy and sensual affection between two lovers. Using vivid nature metaphors such as twin fruits on a single branch, a parrot pecking at tender fruit, and a flowering creeper, the couple expresses their budding passion, desire, and initial playful hesitation. The male protagonist coaxingly invites closeness, while the female lover responds with a delicate mix of shyness and affection. As the song unfolds, the imagery deepens into rich expressions of youthful love, comparing their embrace to unwritten sacred scriptures and harmonious melodies. The lyrics portray nighttime as a tranquil sanctuary where their emotional and romantic connection deepens, culminating in a poetic wish to cradle the beloved 'golden lotus' in his lap.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Medhuvaaga padhamaaga nadai podum Poongkodi naan

The female protagonist compares herself to a delicate flowering creeper ('Poongkodi') moving gracefully.

Second Letter Rhyme (Ethirai) / Internal Rhyme

Medhuvaaga padhamaaga nadai podum

The words 'Medhuvaaga' and 'Padhamaaga' share internal rhythm and structure, giving the line a pleasant musical cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Madi meedhu vizha vendum Intha thanga thaamaraiye

The woman is metaphorically referred to as a 'golden lotus' ('thanga thaamarai') meant to rest in her lover's lap.

Symbolism (Uvamai)

Yaededuththu naanum padikkaatha vedham Kaiyanaiththu neeyum isaikkindra geetham

The lover embraces the protagonist like playing an unwritten Veda or melody, symbolizing divine sensory union.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic lyricist Vaali for the 1985 Tamil film Anthasthu, this song showcases his mastery in blending classical Tamil nature tropes (such as 'Paingkili' and 'Poongkodi') with contemporary sensual romance.

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