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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Palabishegam Seiyavo

From Muthana Muthallavo · 1976

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Muthana Muthallavo1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………....
Male
Aa….aa….paalaapishegam seiyyavoAh... Should I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Male
Alangaaravalli thirunaamam solliChanting the sacred name of the beautifully decorated lady
Malar kondu poojai seiyyavoShould I perform worship with flowers?
Male
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Female
Manthira poojaigal maalaiyilathaanMantra-filled worships occur only in the evening
Vanna malaranai podum velaiyilthaanAt the time when a bed of colorful flowers is laid out
Manthira poojaigal maalaiyilathaanMantra-filled worships occur only in the evening
Vanna malaranai podum velaiyilthaanAt the time when a bed of colorful flowers is laid out
Female
Manmathan sannathi vazhakkamithuThis is the custom at the shrine of Manmatha (Cupid)
Kula mangaiyar sangama pazhakkamithuThis is the traditional union habit of noble maidens
Manmathan sannathi vazhakkamithuThis is the custom at the shrine of Manmatha (Cupid)
Kula mangaiyar sangama pazhakkamithuThis is the traditional union habit of noble maidens
Male
Punnagai enbathu pani vairamA smile is like a dew-kissed diamond
Athu ponmagal soodum mani magudamIt is a jeweled crown worn by the golden lady
Punnagai enbathu pani vairamA smile is like a dew-kissed diamond
Athu ponmagal soodum mani magudamIt is a jeweled crown worn by the golden lady
Female
Kandavar kann padum perazhguA grand beauty that attracts the envy of all who behold it
Idhu kaal kondu nadakkindra therazhguThis is the beauty of a temple chariot walking on feet
Kandavar kann padum perazhguA grand beauty that attracts the envy of all who behold it
Idhu kaal kondu nadakkindra therazhguThis is the beauty of a temple chariot walking on feet
Female
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Female
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Male
Saagasa nadagam naanarivaenI know playful theatrical drama
Inba saarasa kalaigal nee arivaaiYou know the joyful arts of romance
Saagasa nadagam naanarivaenI know playful theatrical drama
Inba saarasa kalaigal nee arivaaiYou know the joyful arts of romance
Innamum ennidam ragasiyamaaAre there still secrets between us?
Intha achchamum nanamum avasiyamaaAre this fear and shyness really necessary?
Female
Unnidam sonnathu oralavuWhat I told you is just a small portion
Nenjil ullathu aasai nooralavuThe desire in my heart is a hundredfold
Unnidam sonnathu oralavuWhat I told you is just a small portion
Nenjil ullathu aasai nooralavuThe desire in my heart is a hundredfold
Mellidai enbathu noolalavuA slender waist is thin as a thread
Adhai menmalar kai kondu nee thazhuvuEmbrace it gently with soft flower-like hands
Male
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?
Female :Nalam paadum kannanFemale: Lord Krishna who sings of well-being
Naan kanda mannanThe king whom I have seen
Valam vanthu poojai seiyyavoShould I circumambulate and perform worship?
Female
Paalaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of milk?
Unakku thaenaapishegam seiyyavoShould I perform an anointing of honey for you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet uses sacred temple ritual metaphors—such as milk and honey abhishekam, flower offerings, and evening poojas—to express deep romantic love and physical intimacy. The male lover treats his beloved as a divine goddess, hailing her beauty as a walking temple chariot and her smile as a dew-drenched diamond, setting their union within the shrine of Manmatha (the god of love). In turn, the female lover affectionately responds by addressing him as her Krishna and king, embracing their romantic bond without hesitation. Lyricist Vaali skillfully blends devotional reverence with romantic sensuality, elevated by M. S. Viswanathan's classical musical composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Punnagai enbathu pani vairam

Directly compares a gentle smile to a diamond glistening with dew drops.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Idhu kaal kondu nadakkindra therazhgu

Exaggerates the lady's graceful walk and beauty as a grand temple chariot moving on human feet.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Unnidam sonnathu oralavu / Nenjil ullathu aasai nooralavu

Uses matching end-rhymes (oralavu, nooralavu, noolalavu) to create rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song brilliantly employs religious ritual vocabulary ('Paalaapishegam', 'Thaenaapishegam', 'Poojai', 'Mantra') to metaphorically describe conjugal love and romantic adoration, a signature lyrical style of poet Vaali during the 1970s.

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