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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pongum Aagaya Gangai

From Aagaya Gangai · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, Gangai Amaran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aagaya Gangai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thururu ruruururuu[Vocalizing musical notes]
Ruruururuu ruruuru[Vocalizing musical notes]
Male :Thururu ruruururuuMale: [Vocalizing musical notes]
Ruruururuu ruruuru[Vocalizing musical notes]
Female :Thururu ruruururuuFemale: [Vocalizing musical notes]
Ruruururuu ruruuru[Vocalizing musical notes]
Male :Thururu ruruururuuMale: [Vocalizing musical notes]
Ruruururuu ruruuru[Vocalizing musical notes]
Female :Lalalalaalaaa lalalalaalaaaFemale: La la la la la, la la la la la
Male
Pongum aagaaya gangaiThe overflowing celestial Ganges
Male & Chorus :Gangai ilamangaiMale & Chorus: Ganges, the youthful maiden
Gangai ilamangaiGanges, the youthful maiden
Female
Pongum aagaaya gangaiThe overflowing celestial Ganges
Chorus :Gangai ilamangaiChorus: Ganges, the youthful maiden
Gangai ilamangaiGanges, the youthful maiden
Male
En kaalgalae siragaanadhaeMy feet have turned into wings
Sirikkindra osai kettuUpon hearing the sound of your laughter
Female
Pongum aagaaya gangaiThe overflowing celestial Ganges
Chorus :Gangai ilamangaiChorus: Ganges, the youthful maiden
Gangai ilamangaiGanges, the youthful maiden
Male
Pudhu raaga jaadhigalin oorvalamA procession of novel musical genres and melodies
Indru kaalai naanae paarthenaeI witnessed it myself this morning
Aval pookkal sumandhirikkum vaanavilShe is a rainbow carrying flowers
Ini naanum vaanam povenaeNow I too shall soar to the sky
Female
Un nyaabagam suga vedhanaiYour memory is a sweet pain
Male :Nee pesinaal isai vaasanaiMale: When you speak, it bears the scent of music
Ini naalum kaadhal sindhanaiFrom now on, every day is consumed by thoughts of love
Female :Nee vandhaal podhum nimmadhiFemale: If you arrive, peace of mind is enough
Male :Un kannaal konjam sammadhiMale: Just grant your consent through your eyes
Female
Pongum aagaaya gangaiThe overflowing celestial Ganges
Chorus :Gangai ilamangaiChorus: Ganges, the youthful maiden
Gangai ilamangaiGanges, the youthful maiden
Male
Jannal oram pooththaA lotus that blossomed by the window
Oru thamaraiWill it not step beyond its own doorway?
Sondha vaasal thaandi vaaradhooFemale: The unsaid languages of my silent glances
Female :Endhan oomai paarvaigalinDo they not reach your ears?
Baashaigal undhan kaadhil keladhooCome, dance within my eyes
Male
En kangalil nadamaadi vaaFemale: May I steal away your sleep?
Female :Undhan thookaththai kalavadavaaMale: Is this not Krishna's and Cupid's garden?
Male :Kannan kaaman thottam allavaaFemale: Who said it is not?
Female :Yaar illai endru sonnathuMale: If you grant a boon, Goddess, it would be wonderful
Male :Varam thandhaal devi nalladhuHave your feet turned into wings?
Female
Un kaalgalae siragaanadhoUpon hearing the sound of laughter
Sirikkindra osai kettu

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Aagaya Gangai' is a romantic duet expressing the blissful intoxication of newfound love. The song metaphorically likens the heroine's grace and purity to the celestial Ganges flowing down to Earth. The lovers engage in playfulness, comparing their feelings to flying on wings, hearing musical ragas in normal speech, and suffering a sweet pain from sweet memories. Through poetic exchanges, they express their mutual longing, consent, and total surrender to love. The overall mood is ethereal, lighthearted, and deeply romantic, framed by poetic imagery of rainbows, gardens, and celestial maidens.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamu)

Aval pookkal sumandhirikkum vaanavil

'Aval pookkal sumandhirikkum vaanavil' compares the heroine directly to a rainbow bearing flowers, capturing her vibrant beauty.

Oxymoron

Un nyaabagam suga vedhanai

'Suga vedhanai' combines 'sugar' (pleasure) and 'vedhanai' (pain), describing the bittersweet agony of longing for a lover.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

En kaalgalae siragaanadhae

'En kaalgalae siragaanadhae' exaggerates the feeling of joy, stating that one's feet have turned into wings upon hearing laughter.

Synesthesia

Nee pesinaal isai vaasanai

'Isai vaasanai' merges auditory and olfactory senses by describing spoken words as having the fragrance of music.

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Trivia

trivia

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