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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paattu Thalaivan

From Idhaya Kovil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Idhaya Kovil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dha dhada rinaa oh…Dha dhada rinaa oh… (Musical rhythm notes)
Jadhari…dha ri dhanaa naa ohJadhari…dha ri dhanaa naa oh (Musical rhythm notes)
Male
{Paattu thalaivan{Leader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Koottam rasikkumThe crowd will enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaan} (2)Clapping to the beat}
Male
Sorndha bodhuWhen weary
Sertha surudhiThe added melody/pitch
Sorgha loghamHeavenly world
KaattudhingaeShows it right here
Ulagamae aadum thannaalaeThe world dances automatically
Male
Paattu thalaivanLeader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Koottam rasikkumThe crowd will enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaanClapping to the beat
Male
Kaadhal pesum…mmmLove speaks… mmm
Thaazham poovae..ae….Oh pandanus flower… ae…
Oviyam aanadhaeHas turned into a painting
Kaigal meedhu…uuuUpon the hands… uuu
Female
Kaigal varnam ..mmmHands paint colors… mmm
Theettum neram..mmmThe time when painted… mmm
Oviyam devi polLike a goddess in a painting
Aadidum kolam…mmm…The dancing form… mmm…
Male
Paadidum poongkuyilThe singing cuckoo bird
Maarbilae aadudhaeDances upon the chest
Female :Kaadhalae vaazhghavaeFemale: Long live love
Aayiram kaalamaeFor a thousand ages
Male
Nee… dhaa….naeYou alone… are…
Thaalaattum nilavaeThe moon that sings a lullaby
Female
Paattu thalaivanLeader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Kettu rasippenI will listen and enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaanClapping to the beat
Female
Sorndha bodhuWhen weary
Sertha surudhiThe added melody/pitch
Sorgha loghamHeavenly world
KaattudhingaeShows it right here
Ulagamae aadum thannaalaeThe world dances automatically
Female
Paattu thalaivanLeader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Kettu rasippenI will listen and enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaanClapping to the beat
Female
Paadhi jaamam…mmmMidnight hour… mmm
Paayumbodhum…mmm…When it spreads… mmm…
Paalnilaa vaanilaeMilky moon in the sky
Kaadhal pesum…mmm..Love speaks… mmm..
Male
Oorai thookkam…mmm…Sleep rule over the town… mmm…
Aalumbodhu…uuu..When it rules… uuu..
Paarvaigal pesudhaeGlances speak
Paavaiyodu…uuuWith the young maiden… uuu
Female
Kaamanin thaerilaeOn Cupid's chariot
Oorvalam pogalaamWe can go on a procession
Male
Aasaiyin medaiyilOn the stage of desire
Naadagam aadalaamWe can perform a play
Female
Naan…. dhaa…naeI alone… am…
Thaalaattum nilavuThe moon that lulls to sleep
Male
Paattu thalaivanLeader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Female :Kettu rasippenFemale: I will listen and enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaanClapping to the beat
Male
Sorndha bodhuWhen weary
Sertha surudhiThe added melody/pitch
Female :Sorga logamFemale: Heavenly world
KaattudhingaeShows it right here
Male
Ulagamae aadumThe world dances
ThannaalaeAutomatically
Female
Paattu thalaivanLeader of song
Paadinaal paattu thaanWhen he sings, it is truly music
Male :Koottam rasikkumMale: The crowd will enjoy
Thaalamae pottu thaanClapping to the beat

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Paattu Thalaivan' from the 1985 Tamil film 'Idhaya Kovil' is a joyful, romantic duet celebrating the power of music and love. The hero, depicted as a master of music ('Paattu Thalaivan'), sings of how music uplifts tired souls, bringing heavenly bliss that makes the entire world dance to its beat. His beloved joins him, praising his musical genius and expressing how his singing feels like a comforting lullaby.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monoreyme / Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Tamil poetic rhyme where the second consonant of consecutive lines match, as seen in 'Sorndha' and 'Sertha' ('r' sound) as well as 'Paattu' and

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

'Thaalaattum nilave' (Moon that sings a lullaby) and 'Oviyam devi pol' compare the lover and her beauty to heavenly and artistic imagery.

Personification

'Paarvaigal pesudhae' (Glances speak) personifies looks and gazes as having a voice of their own.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Idhaya Kovil' (1985) directed by Mani Ratnam features iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The tracks were rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, becoming huge chartbusters of the 1980s.

Keep listening

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