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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Radha Azhaikkiral

From Therkathi Kallan · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Therkathi Kallan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling you,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Female
Minnum vanna kannan tholilaeOn the gleaming, colorful shoulders of Krishna,
Maalaiyaaga koodidum vaelaiyagaaIt is time to unite like a garland.
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling you,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Female
Pottu vaiththu paarkkiraen nee kaanavaeI adorn a bindi and look at myself for you to see,
Poo malligaiyae….en punnagaiyaeOh jasmine flower... oh my smile!
Pottu vaiththu paarkkiraen nee kaanavaeI adorn a bindi and look at myself for you to see,
Poo malligaiyae….en punnagaiyaeOh jasmine flower... oh my smile!
Female
Mottu vitta poovaiThe flower that has freshly blossomed,
Katti kolla vaa….vaa…Come to embrace it... come...
Metti saththam kettuHearing the sound of toe-rings,
Mettu kattu devaaCompose a tune, my divine lover!
Neeyum naanum paalodu thaenaai saeraFor you and me to blend like milk and honey.
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling you,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Female
Minnum vanna kannan tholilaeOn the gleaming, colorful shoulders of Krishna,
Maalaiyaaga koodidum vaelaiyagaaIt is time to unite like a garland.
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling you,
Female
Oodal ennum naadagamIs this drama of playful quarrel,
Yaen thevaiyaaReally necessary?
Vaa katti kolla nee thottu kollaCome embrace me, come touch me!
Oodal ennum naadagamIs this drama of playful quarrel,
Yaen thevaiyaaReally necessary?
Vaa katti kolla nee thottu kollaCome embrace me, come touch me!
Female
Minnal idai paagamWith a waist slender like lightning,
Kanni ival thegamThis maiden's body,
Mannanukku yogamIs a fortune for the king,
Manmathanin yaagamAnd a sacred sacrifice to the God of Love.
Paaram theera tholodu tholum saeraFor shoulders to press against shoulders and relieve all heaviness.
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling you,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Female
Minnum vanna kannan tholilaeOn the gleaming, colorful shoulders of Krishna,
Maalaiyaaga koodidum vaelaiyagaaIt is time to unite like a garland.
Female
Radha azhaikkiraalRadha is calling,
Kadhal raagam isaikkiraalShe plays the melody of love.
Unnai radha radha radha……Calling you, Radha, Radha, Radha...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track draws a classical metaphor between the divine love of Radha and Lord Krishna and the affection between the lead protagonists. The song portrays a heroine yearning for her beloved's touch and embrace, comparing their ideal union to milk mixing with honey and her body to a Yajna dedicated to Lord Kamadeva (Manmatha). The lyricist uses classical tropes of nature, music, and romantic discord (oodal) to express intimate longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Neeyum naanum paalodu thaenaai saera

Comparing the intimate blending of lovers to 'paalodu thaenaai' (milk with honey).

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Minnal idai paagam / Kanni ival thegam / Mannanukku yogam / Manmathanin yaagam

End-rhyming with 'paagam', 'thegam', 'yogam', and 'yaagam' across consecutive lines.

Metaphor

Minnal idai paagam

Comparing the heroine's slender waist to a lightning bolt ('Minnal idai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Therkathi Kallan (1988) stars Vijayakanth and Radhika in lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring playback singing by S. Janaki and K. S. Chithra across various tracks, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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