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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Parakkum Paravai

From Kavitha · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, A. L. Ragavan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kavitha1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Parakkum paravaigal neeyae..You are the flying birds..
Padarum kodigalum neeyae..You are the spreading creepers..
Sirikkum malargalum neeyaeYou are the smiling flowers
Sithiram pola vandhaayaeYou came like a beautiful portrait
Male
Saamikku saathiya vairangal polaeLike the diamonds adorned upon the deity
Thaamarai ilaiyil panithuli polaeLike a dewdrop resting on a lotus leaf
Saamikku saathiya vairangal polaeLike the diamonds adorned upon the deity
Thaamarai ilaiyil panithuli polaeLike a dewdrop resting on a lotus leaf
Punnagai seidhu nerungi vandhaayaeYou approached me with a gentle smile
Punnagai seidhu nerungi vandhaayaeYou approached me with a gentle smile
Boomiyai paarthu nadanthu vandhaayaeYou walked shyly, gazing down at the earth
Male
Maadhathil oru naal malarnthidum malaraeOh flower that blooms once a month
Vaanathil malarndha en vanna nilavaeMy colorful moon blossoming in the sky
Maadhathil oru naal malarnthidum malaraeOh flower that blooms once a month
Vaanathil malarndha en vanna nilavaeMy colorful moon blossoming in the sky
Kaadhalavodiya kangalinaalaeThrough eyes brimming with overflowing love
Kaadhalavodiya kangalinaalaeThrough eyes brimming with overflowing love
Karpanai ulagathai kaatti vittayaeYou revealed to me a realm of pure imagination

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil romantic song expresses an intense poetic adoration for the beloved, comparing her presence to various enchanting elements of nature. The lyricist compares her to flying birds, climbing vines, smiling blossoms, sacred diamonds, and dewdrops on a lotus leaf. Her shy arrival and loving gaze transport her lover into a captivating world of imagination and romantic bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Parakkum paravaigal neeyae..

Directly identifying the beloved as nature's elements like birds, creepers, flowers, and the colorful moon.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaamarai ilaiyil panithuli polae

Comparing the beloved's arrival and purity to a portrait, diamonds on an idol, and dew on a lotus leaf using the comparison word 'polae'.

Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (Mona/Edhugai)

Maadhathil oru naal malarnthidum malarae / Vaanathil malarndha en vanna nilavae

Rhythmic alignment and repetition of initial consonant and vowel sound patterns across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kavitha' (1962) featured memorable music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by legendary poet Kannadasan. This song demonstrates Kannadasan's mastery in drawing metaphors from traditional Tamil literature, particularly comparing fleeting, pure romance to a 'dewdrop on a lotus leaf' (Thaamarai ilaiyil panithuli).

Keep listening

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