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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paarkaadhey Oru Madhiri

From Ambikapathy · 2013

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Karthik
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Ambikapathy2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Ithu varai paraadhathu polAs if you have never seen me until now,
Paarpadhu enadiwhy are you staring like that, my girl?
Ithu varai paraadhathu polAs if you have never seen me until now,
Paarpadhu enadiwhy are you staring like that, my girl?
Male
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Oooo…ooo…..ooo….ooo….Oooo...ooo...ooo...ooo...
Male
Nila mutrangalilIn moonlight-drenched courtyards,
Muthamaa kettendid I ask for a kiss?
Hey maharaaniyaeOh my queen,
Selvama kettendid I ask for vast wealth?
Un aayulil paathiya kettenDid I ask for half of your lifespan?
Poo punnagai ondru thaan kettenI only asked for a single flower-like smile!
Male
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Male
Palaivanathilae.. tholainthaLost in the vast desert,
Kaneer naan diI am a tear drop, my dear.
Adhai thedi thedi thediSearching for it relentlessly,
Adainthu neeonce you find it,
Vairam endru solladi anbaecall it a precious diamond, my love.
Male
Theeyil yerindhaalIf burned in fire,
Kari thaan vairama diamond turns into mere charcoal,
Maarbil aninthal motchambut if worn on your chest, it achieves salvation.
Motcham adaivenoWill I attain such salvation?
Male
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.
Ithu varai paraadhathu polAs if you have never seen me until now,
Paarpadhu enadi…ohooo…why are you staring like that, my girl?... ohooo...
Ithu varai paraadhathu polAs if you have never seen me until now,
Paarpadhu enadi….why are you staring like that, my girl?
Male
Paarkaadhae oru madhiri…ooo..Don't look at me in that peculiar way... ooo...
Paarkaadhae oru madhiriDon't look at me in that peculiar way.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Paarkaadhae Oru Madhiri from the film Ambikapathy (the Tamil version of Raanjhanaa) expresses the protagonist's profound yearning, innocence, and vulnerability in love. The hero gently pleads with his beloved not to look at him as if he were a complete stranger or someone alien to her, as her cold gaze breaks his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Palaivanathilae.. tholaintha Kaneer naan di

The speaker compares himself to a tear lost in a desert ('Palaivanathilae tholaintha kaneer') and later to a diamond that attains value and spiritual liberation when held close to her heart.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Muthamaa ketten / Selvama ketten / Un aayulil paathiya ketten

The word 'ketten' (I asked) is repeated at the end of consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic end-rhyme structure that highlights the modesty of his request.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Adhai thedi thedi thedi

The emphatic repetition of 'thedi thedi thedi' reinforces the intensity and endurance of the search.

Contrast / Antithesis

Theeyil yerindhaal Kari thaan vairam / Maarbil aninthal motcham

Contrasting carbon/charcoal in fire ('Kari thaan vairam') with divine salvation on her chest ('Maarbil aninthal motcham') to illustrate the power of her love.

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Trivia

This track is the Tamil version of the popular Hindi song 'Banarasiya' from the film Raanjhanaa (2013). Composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics written by Vairamuthu, the Tamil adaptation retains the classical and folk-fusion essence of the original Hindi composition while seamlessly integrating traditional Tamil poetic motifs.

Keep listening

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