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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rathiri Pozhuthu

From Senthamizh Selvan · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music directors
K. V. Mahadevan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Selvan1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…Aaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Female
Oor thoongum vaelaiylAt the time when the village slumbers,
Ulaa varum nilaaThe moon strolls across the sky.
Paai podum pon magalThe golden maiden spreads the mat,
Udal thodum nilaaAs the moon caresses her body.
Kaalam thorum thaeindhidaadhaThe bright white moon of love,
Kaadhal vennilaaWhich never fades with time.
Koodum podhu kodi inbamWhen united, a crore of delights,
Kaanum pen nilaaThe female moon experiences.
Female
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Idhazh thottu padhikkumTouching the lips to imprint,
Mudhal mutham thitthikkumThe very first kiss will taste sweet.
Ini illai urakkamThere will be no sleep anymore,
Urangidum unarchiyai usuppidumIt awakens emotions that lay asleep.
Male
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Male
Raajaadhi raajanWhen the king of kings,
Radham yaerum podhuMounts his chariot,
Raani indri ingae raajaangam yedhuWhat kingdom exists here without a queen?
Female
Raa kozhi kooviThe night rooster crows,
Nal vaazhthu koorumExtending its best wishes.
Naanum neeyum koodumWhen you and I unite,
Nadu chaama naeramIt is the hour of midnight.
Male
Uravaada ingu uruvaagum raagamA melody takes shape here for making love,
Female
Adhikaalai pozhudhilAnd in the early morning hour,
Arangaetram aagumIt will make its debut performance.
Male
Thaalangal oru podhumThe rhythm beats will never,
ThavaraadhammaaMiss a beat, my dear.
Female
Iru maeni ini endrumWill these two bodies ever,
ThaniyaagumaaBecome separated in the future?
Male
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Female
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Male
Idhazh thottu padhikkumTouching the lips to imprint,
Mudhal mutham thitthikkumThe very first kiss will taste sweet.
Ini illai urakkamThere will be no sleep anymore,
Urangidum unarchiyai usuppidumIt awakens emotions that lay asleep.
Female
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Male
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…
Nananana nananaaNananana nananaa
Nananana nananaaNananana nananaa
Thaaraa rarat thaaraa thararararaaThaaraa rarat thaaraa thararararaa
Thaaraa rarat thaaraa thararararaaThaaraa rarat thaaraa thararararaa
Female
Kaatrodu saerndhuBlending with the wind,
Karpoora vaadaiIs the fragrance of camphor,
Kaadhal paattu paadum kalyaana vaelaiIt is the auspicious time of marriage singing love songs.
Male
Maar meedhu vanna mayilUpon my chest, a colorful peacock,
Vandhu saayumComes to lean and rest.
Maelum keezhum nooruUp and down, a hundred,
Minnalgal paayumLightnings shoot through.
Female
Padhinaaru thaandiCrossing sixteen years,
Padhinaezhu vandhenI have reached seventeen.
Male
Pasi aara neeyumTo satisfy your hunger,
Parimaaru senthaenServe the sweet honey.
Female
Naal thorum naan thandhuEvery day I give and,
Nee vaangalaamYou may receive it.
Male
Irundhaalum podhaamalYet without feeling satisfied,
Manam yengalaamThe heart may yearn for more.
Female
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Male
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Ragasiyam edharkkuWhy should there be secrecy?
Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakkuIn the dark of midnight, the moon is our lamp.
Female
Idhazh thottu padhikkumTouching the lips to imprint,
Mudhal mutham thitthikkumThe very first kiss will taste sweet.
Ini illai urakkamThere will be no sleep anymore,
Urangidum unarchiyai usuppidumIt awakens emotions that lay asleep.
Male
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Female :Ragasiyam edharkkuFemale: Why should there be secrecy?
Male :Nalliravil namakkuMale: In the dark of midnight for us,
Female :Vennilavu vilakkuFemale: The moon is our lamp.
Raathiri pozhudhuIn the night time,
Male :Ragasiyam edharkkuMale: Why should there be secrecy?
Female :Nalliravil namakkuFemale: In the dark of midnight for us,
Male :Vennilavu vilakkuMale: The moon is our lamp.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a passionate romantic duet centered around the intimate post-wedding night of a young couple. Lyricist Vaali uses nocturnal visual imagery, comparing the bright moon in the midnight sky to a glowing lamp that illuminates their private world of love. The couple questions the need for secrecy in the dark when their love is pure, natural, and bright enough to lighten up the night. Through poetic metaphors involving music, moonlight, and sweet honey, the song portrays the deep physical and emotional bond shared by the lovers. It describes how slumbering passions are awakened by tender touch, creating a timeless melody of togetherness that promises to endure forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaay / Initial Alliteration

Raathiri pozhudhu / Ragasiyam edharkku

Repetition of the initial 'R' sound across lines creates a fluid, musical opening rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nalliravil namakku vennilavu vilakku

The moonlight ('vennilavu') is directly equated to a lamp ('vilakku') illuminating their intimate space in the middle of the night.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Maelum keezhum nooru minnalgal paayum

The emotional surge of affection and touch is poetically exaggerated as a hundred lightnings striking up and down.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1994 Tamil romantic drama film 'Senthamizh Selvan' starring Prashanth and Madhoo, this song highlights the poetic expertise of lyricist Vaali in crafting intimate yet elegant romantic songs.

Keep listening

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