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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Parakka Seivaai

From Ambikapathy · 2013

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pennae unnai velvadhuGirl, conquering you
Kaadhal illaiis not love.
Ennai unnil thorpadhuLosing myself in you
Kaadhal aagumis true love.
Ennai thorpadhal velgirenBy losing myself, I conquer.
Male
Aamam pennae unnai velvadhuYes girl, conquering you
Kaadhal illaiis not love.
Ennai unnil thorpadthuLosing myself in you
Kaadhal aagumis true love.
Ennai thorpadhal velgirenBy losing myself, I conquer.
Female
En kaadhalMy love,
Boomi thodatha thaneeris water that hasn't touched the earth,
Needhaanae ..ae…are you not that?
Mazhai neerai unnum paravaiLike a bird drinking rainwater,
Female
Oh… iravai unnum oli polaOh... like light consuming the night,
En idhayam muttrum parugividudrink my heart completely.
Parakka seivaai..Make me fly...
Ennai paravai seivaaiMake me a bird.
Male :Paravai seivaai…Male : Make me a bird...
Female
Sitham sitharathu thannaalaeMy mind scatters on its own,
Eththanai kanavugal unnaalaeso many dreams because of you.
Parakka seivai..Make me fly...
Ennai paravai seivaaiMake me a bird.
Female
Un tholil naanOn your shoulder,
Kan thoongum naal eppowhen is the day my eyes will sleep?
Parakka seivaai..Make me fly...
Ennai paravai seivaaiMake me a bird.
Parakka seivaai..Make me fly...
Ennai paravai seivaai….aaa…Make me a bird... aaa...
Male
Pennae unnai velvadhuGirl, conquering you
Kaadhal illaiis not love.
Ennai unnil thorpadhuLosing myself in you
Kaadhal aagumis true love.
Ennai thorpadhal velgirenBy losing myself, I conquer.
Male
Aamam pennae unnai velvadhuYes girl, conquering you
Kaadhal illaiis not love.
Ennai unnil thorpadhuLosing myself in you
Kaadhal aagumis true love.
Ennai thorpadhal velgirenBy losing myself, I conquer.
Female
Yaarum sonnaal nillatha katruA wind that doesn't stop for anyone,
Adhu pol thaan en kaadhaljust like that is my love.
Nazhuvum manathuA slipping mind,
Yaar sollai kekkumwhose word will it listen to?
Thadaiyanai podathaeDo not build a dam/barrier.
Female
Pun padamal kaayam seidhuWounding without leaving a visible scar,
Kathi veesum kangaleyes that slash like swords.
Kaayangal kaadhal nyayamWounds are justified in love.
Uyir thozha nilSoulmate, stop!
Male :Oor vaarthai sol…Male : Say a single word...
Male
Pennae unnai velvadhuGirl, conquering you
Kaadhal illaiis not love.
Ennai unnil thorpadhuLosing myself in you
Kaadhal aagumis true love.
Ennai thorpadhal velgirenBy losing myself, I conquer.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Pennae Unnai Velvadhu' (often referred to as 'Kanaa' or 'Paravai Seivaai') expresses the philosophical depth of self-surrender in love. The protagonist declares that true love lies not in conquering the beloved, but in losing one's ego and self completely to them. Through vivid imagery of rain, sky, birds, and wind, the song captures the weightlessness and intoxicating freedom that total emotional surrender brings. The lover yearns to be set free like a bird, finding peace only in the presence of the beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Irony

Ennai thorpadhal velgiren

'Ennai thorpadhal velgiren' (By losing myself, I conquer) presents a classic poetic paradox where defeat of the ego yields ultimate victory in love.

Simile (Upamai)

Oh… iravai unnum oli pola

'Iravai unnum oli pola' compares love's absorption of the protagonist's heart to light consuming the dark night.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kathi veesum kangal

'Kathi veesum kangal' metaphorically describes sharp, piercing eyes as slashing swords.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Parakka seivaai.. Ennai paravai seivaai

Repetition of the 'Pa' sound in 'Parakka seivaai... Ennai paravai seivaai' creates a melodic, rhythmic rhythm matching the sensation of flight.

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Trivia

'Ambikapathy' (2013) is the Tamil dubbed version of the hit Hindi romantic drama 'Raanjhanaa', starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor. The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, with Tamil lyrics crafted by veteran lyricist Vairamuthu.

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