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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raathiri Poovadai

From Nilavu Suduvathillai · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nilavu Suduvathillai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
Nazhuvudhu melaadaiSlipping off is the upper garment
Paal vanna udambilOn the milk-complexioned body
Paruvathin baaramThe heavy burden of youth
Thaan mattum sumandhuCarrying it all by itself
Thattu thadumaarumIt stumbles and falters
Vaa… vaavaa vaavaaCome... do come, do come
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
Hae nazhuvudhu melaadaiHey, slipping off is the upper garment
Female
Aarugal ellaamAll the rivers
Kadalil adangum hae haeSubside into the vast sea, hae hae
Aanmaiyil thaanaeOnly within masculinity
Penmai adangumDoes femininity find its rest
Female
Kangalil thudikkudhu ullamThe heart throbs within the eyes
Karaigalai meerudhu vellamThe flood overflows its banks
Un kaiyai konjam kondaaBring your hand to me for a moment
Adhil kaadhal regai undaaIs there a line of love upon it?
Kaiyai konjam kondaaBring your hand for a moment
Adhil kaadhal regai undaaIs there a line of love upon it?
Kani vandhu kettum kili vidalaamaaWhen the fruit itself offers, can the parrot refuse it?
Hoo… hoohoo hoohooHoo… hoohoo hoohoo
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
Hae nazhuvudhu melaadaiHey, slipping off is the upper garment
Paal vanna udambilOn the milk-complexioned body
Paruvathin baaramThe heavy burden of youth
Thaan mattum sumandhuCarrying it all by itself
Thattu thadumaarumIt stumbles and falters
Vaa… vaavaa vaavaaCome... do come, do come
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
Hae nazhuvudhu melaadaiHey, slipping off is the upper garment
Female
Pennukku thaanaeFor a woman indeed
Aasaigal kollaiDesires are boundless
Haei naaniya pengalHey, bashful women
Solvadhum illaiDo not express it out loud
Female
Aasaiyil en manam koosumIn intense desire my mind feels shy
Vaasanai vaarthaigal paesumIt speaks fragrant words
Nitham pitham yerumDaily the madness rises
En ratham satham podumMy blood clamors aloud
Nitham pitham yerumDaily the madness rises
En ratham satham podumMy blood clamors aloud
Un nuni viralaalaeWith your fingertip
Kani thoda vendumYou must touch the fruit
Poo… poo poo pooPoo… poo poo poo
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
HahahahaHahahaha
Nazhuvudhu melaadaiSlipping off is the upper garment
Paal vanna udambilOn the milk-complexioned body
Paruvathin baaramThe heavy burden of youth
Thaan mattum sumandhuCarrying it all by itself
Thattu thadumaarumIt stumbles and falters
Vaa… vaavaa vaavaaCome... do come, do come
Female
Raathiri poovaadaiThe night's floral breeze
HaaHaa
Nazhuvudhu melaadaiSlipping off is the upper garment

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual track from 'Nilavu Suduvathillai' (1984) portrays a woman passionately calling out to her lover under the cover of night. Expressing the overwhelming passion and burden of youth, she describes how nature and emotion align—just as rivers merge into the ocean, femininity finds its fulfillment in masculinity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

Aarugal ellaam / Kadalil adangum

Comparing rivers merging into the sea to femininity finding surrender in masculinity.

Iyaibu / Rhyme (இயைபு)

Thaan mattum sumandhu / Thattu thadumaarum

Matching end sounds in adjacent lines ('udambil', 'baaram', 'sumandhu', 'thadumaarum').

Mondhai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Nitham pitham yerum / En ratham satham podum

Repetition of starting sounds like 'Nitham' and 'pitham' / 'ratham' and 'satham'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Nilavu Suduvathillai' (1984) stars Sivakumar and Radhika. This alluring song composed by K. V. Mahadevan showcases Vairamuthu's signature poetic imagery blended with sensual romantic themes.

Keep listening

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