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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Podaiya Oru Kaduthasi

From Theru Vilakku · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Theru Vilakku1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Podaiyaa oru kadudhaasiDrop a letter, my dear friend!
Elam ponnoda nelamaya yosiThink about the condition of this young golden girl.
Pala raathiri aachu thookamum pochuMany nights have passed, and sleep has departed too.
Nedunaal thavichaachuI have yearned and suffered for many long days.
Male
Ennamaa em magaraasiWhat is this, my queenly lady?
Nee ennoda nelamaya yosiYou think about my condition.
Haei vaedikkai edhukku velainga irukkuHey, why stare in amusement? There is work to be done.
Venaam vilaiyaattuStop playing around.
Female
Podaiyaa oru kadudhaasiDrop a letter, my dear friend!
Elam ponnoda nelamaya yosiThink about the condition of this young golden girl.
Female
Paakum varaiyila yekkam theriyalaUntil I saw you, I didn't realize this deep longing.
Pasiyae edukkalaiyaeI don't even feel hungry anymore.
Kaiyum odala kaalum odalaaMy hands won't work, my feet won't move.
Kannum thoongalaiyaeMy eyes won't fall asleep either.
Male
Poopotta ponnaana thaeruA golden chariot adorned with flowers!
Boomiyilae onnaattum yaaruWho on this earth can compare to you?
Pudhusaa irukkudhu poova sirikkudhuIt feels so fresh, smiling like a flower,
Adiyae un azhaguOh girl, your immense beauty!
Female
Podaiyaa oru kadudhaasiDrop a letter, my dear friend!
Elam ponnoda nelamaya yosiThink about the condition of this young golden girl.
Male
Kaathum anaikkudhu poovum sirikkudhuThe breeze embraces and the flower smiles.
Paarthaen unna nenachiI looked around, thinking only of you.
Manasum thudikkudhu mayakkam porakkudhuThe heart beats fast, a sweet daze is born.
Idhu thaan siru vayasuThis is truly the beauty of youth.
Female
Aathoram sevvalli poovuA red water lily by the riverbank,
Adhukkullae singaara vanduAnd inside it, a beautiful honeybee.
Edhaiyo theduthu edhukko oduthuSearching for something, running for some reason,
Inikkum elam manasuThis sweet young heart!
Male
Ennamaa em magaraasiWhat is this, my queenly lady?
Female :HaanFemale: Yeah...
Male :Nee ennoda nelamaya yosiMale: You think about my condition.
Haei vaedikkai edhukku velainga irukkuHey, why stare in amusement? There is work to be done.
Venaam vilaiyaattuStop playing around.
Male
Ennamaa em magaraasiWhat is this, my queenly lady?
Female :HaanFemale: Yeah...
Male :Nee ennoda nelamaya yosiMale: You think about my condition.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted and romantic duet expresses the playful pangs of youth and love. The lovers exchange playful banter, expressing how love has disrupted their sleep and routine, leaving them lost in thoughts of each other. The lyrics highlight the restless excitement of young love through vivid imagery of nature and affectionate teasing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Podaiyaa oru kadudhaasi / Elam ponnoda nelamaya yosi

The lines end with matching rhyming sounds 'kadudhaasi' and 'yosi', as well as 'theru' and 'yaaru'.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Poopotta ponnaana thaeru

The heroine is compared to a golden chariot adorned with flowers, symbolizing radiant beauty.

Imagery

Aathoram sevvalli poovu / Adhukkullae singaara vandu

Nature imagery of a red water lily by the riverbank with a bee inside serves as an allegory for romantic desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Theru Vilakku' (1980) features popular folk-infused melodies penned by lyricist Gangai Amaran, capturing the authentic rural slang and playful banter typical of 1980s Tamil cinema soundtracks.

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