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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paadiya Azhagu Nilave

From Meendum Mahaan · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Meendum Mahaan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaehae….oho….ohho….(Vocalizing)
Aaha….aaha….aahaa….lala laala laala laa(Vocalizing)
Heehmm hmm mmmm…..(Humming)
Male
Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilaeThe beautiful moon that sang is now in another sky,
Thediya iniya kanaavae veroru vizhiyilaeThe sweet dream that was sought is now in another's eyes.
Netru naam saernthathu ninaivilae illaiyoDo you not remember our togetherness from yesterday?
Netru naam saernthathu ninaivilae illaiyoDo you not remember our togetherness from yesterday?
Neeyallaal yaedhadi….Without you, what else is there, my girl?
Male
Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilaeThe beautiful moon that sang is now in another sky.
Male
Nizhalai pirintha udalA body separated from its shadow,
Nagaththai marantha viralA finger that has forgotten its nail,
Nadhiyai thurantha kadal yaedhammaaWhere is a sea that abandons its river, my dear?
Enathu enathu enaThinking daily that you are mine, all mine,
Ninaiththu ninaiththu dhinamPondering upon it every single day,
Vadiththu eduththa silai neeyammaaYou are the statue sculpted out of my thoughts, my dear.
Male
Vaanamae maaralaam vaiyamae maraiyalaamThe sky may change, the world may disappear,
Aayiram aandugal Kadhalthaan vaazhalaamYet love alone can live on for a thousand years.
Neeyallaal yaedhadi….Without you, what else is there, my girl?
Male
Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilaeThe beautiful moon that sang is now in another sky,
Thediya iniya kanaavae veroru vizhiyilaeThe sweet dream that was sought is now in another's eyes.
Male
Oruvan manathai thottuHaving touched a man's heart,
Uravai valarththuvittuAnd nurtured a loving relationship,
Siragai viriththa chittu needhaanoAre you the little bird that spread its wings and flew away?
Urugi urugi udal karugi karainthu vizhaMelting away continuously, as my body chars and falls apart,
Neruppil vizhuntha malar naanthaanoAm I the flower that fell into the fire?
Male
Oointhatho kaaviyam thaeinthathae oviyamHas the epic come to an end? Has the painting faded away?
Kooradi kanmani yaarithan karanamTell me, my darling, who is the cause of all this?
Neeyallaal yaedhadi sugam….Without you, where is happiness, my girl?
Male
Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilaeThe beautiful moon that sang is now in another sky,
Thediya iniya kanaavae veroru vizhiyilaeThe sweet dream that was sought is now in another's eyes.
Male
Netru naam saernthathu ninaivilae illaiyoDo you not remember our togetherness from yesterday?
Netru naam saernthathu ninaivilae illaiyoDo you not remember our togetherness from yesterday?
Neeyallaal yaedhadi….Without you, what else is there, my girl?
Male
Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilaeThe beautiful moon that sang is now in another sky,
Thediya iniya kanaavae veroru vizhiyilae….The sweet dream that was sought is now in another's eyes...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the agony of separation and heartbreak felt by a lover whose soulmate has left him. He compares his beloved to a moon that has moved to another sky and a dream that now resides in someone else's eyes. Through poetic allegories like a body without a shadow, a finger without a nail, and a sea without a river, he highlights how impossible and agonizing it is to exist without her presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Paadiya azhagu nilaavae veroru vaanilae

Comparing the beloved to a moon ('azhagu nilaavae') and a dream ('iniya kanaavae') metaphorically highlights her ethereal beauty and importance.

Analogy / Rhetorical Comparison

Nizhalai pirintha udal / Nagaththai marantha viral / Nadhiyai thurantha kadal yaedhammaa

Uses impossible natural separations (body/shadow, finger/nail, sea/river) to emphasize how unnatural their separation is.

Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)

Oointhatho kaaviyam thaeinthathae oviyam

Uses matching poetic rhythm and end-rhymes (kaaviyam/oviyam) to enhance the melodic melancholic feel.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the prolific lyricist Vaali for the 1987 Tamil film 'Meendum Mahaan', the song captures the classical Tamil cinematic style of expressing deep sorrow through natural imagery and profound metaphors.

Keep listening

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