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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Punnagai Maayai

From 99 Songs · 2021

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Abhay Jodhpurkar, Shashaa Tirupati
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
99 Songs2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aa….aa…haa….aaa…[Vocalizations]
Male
Yen maunamai thoondil ondru veesinaaiWhy did you cast a fishing hook into my silence?
En dhevadhai isai mozhi thandhaaiMy angel, you gave me the language of music.
Paarvaiyaal pesinaai ennai thandhenYou spoke with your gaze, and I surrendered myself.
Male
Un ooviyam oosaiyaai korkkirenI string your painting together into sounds.
Adhil aayiram vaanavil kaangirenIn it, I see a thousand rainbows.
Yaaridam kelaa paadalaiA song unheard by anyone else,
Unniru kannaal paarkkirenI see through both your eyes.
Male
Un ooviyam oosaiyaai korkkirenI string your painting together into sounds.
Adhil aayiram vaanavil kaangirenIn it, I see a thousand rainbows.
Yaaridam kelaa paadalaiA song unheard by anyone else,
Unniru kannaal paarkkirenI see through both your eyes.
Male
Paadum isai yaavum un kanninIs all the music being sung
Mozhiyoo mozhiyooThe language of your eyes, your eyes?
Male
Paadum isai yaavum un kanninIs all the music being sung
Mozhiyoo mozhiyooThe language of your eyes, your eyes?
Male
Un poo mugam poothidum thaavaramYour flower-like face is a blossoming plant,
Male
Punnagai maayai ivalShe is an illusion crafted of smiles.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the musical film '99 Songs' explores the profound connection between love, visual art, and music. The protagonist describes how their silence was interrupted by love, transforming visual beauty—such as paintings, glances, and smiles—into musical harmony. Eyes become a medium through which unheard melodies are experienced, blending the sensory boundaries of sight and sound.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Yen maunamai thoondil ondru veesinaai

Comparing silence to water where a fishing hook ('thoondil') is cast to catch emotions or music.

Synesthesia

Un ooviyam oosaiyaai korkkiren

Blending visual art ('ooviyam' - painting) with auditory art ('oosai' - sound), expressing the act of turning sights into music.

Hyperbole

Adhil aayiram vaanavil kaangiren

Exaggerating the visual and emotional impact of music by describing it as seeing a thousand rainbows.

Uvamaani / Metaphor (Poo mugam)

Un poo mugam poothidum thaavaram

Comparing the lover's face to a soft flower ('poo mugam') on a blooming plant.

Did you know?

Trivia

'99 Songs' (2021) marks A. R. Rahman's debut as a film story writer and producer. The soundtrack is deeply rooted in the concept of music as a spiritual and transformative art. Lyricist Thamarai adapted the Tamil version to reflect Rahman's intricate, melody-driven arrangement.

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