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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rettai Kiligal Andradam

From Ore Oru Gramathiley · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ore Oru Gramathiley1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa aaa aaa aaaAaa aaa aaa aaa
Aaaa aaa aaa aaaAaaa aaa aaa aaa
Aaa…aaa..aaa…haaa…aa..aa…Aaa…aaa..aaa…haaa…aa..aa…
Male
Rettai kiligal andraadumTwin parrots sway daily
Pesum kattil kadhaigalBedtime stories they speak
Female
Irakkai virithu ondraagaSpreading their wings together
Neendhum ettu dhisaigalSoaring across all eight directions
Male
Thanneer megam panneer thoovumThe rain cloud sprinkles rosewater
Panneer thuliyum venneeraagumAnd even a drop of rosewater turns into hot water
Female :Ilamaiyil pala nirangalil kanavugal ezhaFemale: As colorful dreams arise in youth
Male :Rettai kiligal andraadumMale: Twin parrots sway daily
Pesum kattil kadhaigalBedtime stories they speak
Male
Eera pookalil thaen idhazhgalil vizhaFalling on wet flowers and honeyed lips
Naan eduthen naa eduthenI took it, yes I took it
Female :Ora paarvaiyil un unarchigal varaFemale: As your emotions arose from a side glance
Naan padithen nana padithenI read them, yes I read them
Male
Idhayathai thiranthaai neeYou opened your heart
Idaiyinil vizhunthen naanI fell upon your waist
Female :Enakkena piranthaai neeFemale: You were born for me
Irupathai koduthen naanI gave all that I had
Male
Nenjai thazhuviEmbracing the heart
En thozhil saayum velli aruviA silver waterfall leaning on my shoulder
Female :Kannil ezhudhi un peraiFemale: Writing your name in my eyes
Paadum vanna kuruviThe colorful bird that sings
Male :Sangeetham thaan sangeetham thaanMale: It is indeed music, pure music
Namm uravinil pala surangalum layangalum ezhaAs many musical notes and rhythms rise in our relationship
Male
Rettai kiligal andraadumTwin parrots sway daily
Pesum kattil kadhaigalBedtime stories they speak
Female
Irakkai virithu ondraagaSpreading their wings together
Neendhum ettu dhisaigalSoaring across all eight directions
Male
Thanneer megam panneer thoovumThe rain cloud sprinkles rosewater
Panneer thuliyum venneeraagumAnd even a drop of rosewater turns into hot water
Female :Ilamaiyil pala nirangalil kanavugal ezhaFemale: As colorful dreams arise in youth
Male :Rettai kiligal andraadumMale: Twin parrots sway daily
Pesum kattil kadhaigalBedtime stories they speak
Female
Naetru raathiri en udal nanithidaAs my body got drenched last night
Naan vizhithen naan vizhithenI woke up, yes I woke up
Male :Kaadhal naayagan un kanavinil vandhuMale: As the hero of love entered your dream
Naan kalandhen naan kalandhenI merged with you, yes I merged
Female
Iruttunil varalaamaCan we enter into darkness?
Irupuram thodalaamaCan we touch each other?
Male :Ilakkiyam ithu thaanaeMale: This itself is literature
Ilakkanam kedalaamooCan grammar and rules be broken?
Female
Vittu koduthaal kannaaIf you yield, my dear
Un vegam kattu padumooWill your passion be controlled?
Male :Thottu pidithaal kannaeMale: If I touch and hold you, my dear
Un paarvai suttu viduma aa aaWill your gaze scorch me?
Female
Ammadi naan pen paavai thaanOh my, I am just a tender maiden
Un viralgalum thodaWhen your fingers touch me
Thalai mudhal adi varai sudaI burn with passion from head to toe
Male
Rettai kiligal andraadumTwin parrots sway daily
Pesum kattil kadhaigalBedtime stories they speak
Female
Irakkai virithu ondraagaSpreading their wings together
Neendhum ettu dhisaigalSoaring across all eight directions
Male
Thanneer megam panneer thoovumThe rain cloud sprinkles rosewater
Panneer thuliyum venneeraagumAnd even a drop of rosewater turns into hot water
Female :Ilamaiyil pala nirangalil kanavugal ezhaFemale: As colorful dreams arise in youth
Both :Lalal lala laa laa laa laa laa laa laa laaaBoth: Lalal lala laa laa laa laa laa laa laa laaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Rettai Kiligal from the 1989 film Ore Oru Gramathiley is a romantic duet that poetically portrays intimate moments between two lovers. Metaphorically described as a pair of twin parrots sharing bedtime stories, the lovers express their deep emotional bond, mutual desire, and aesthetic connection. The lyrics use rich sensory imagery such as cool rosewater turning warm with passion, waterfalls, and musical notes to reflect the warmth and harmony of their love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Rettai kiligal andraadum / Pesum kattil kadhaigal

The lovers are metaphorically compared to twin parrots (Rettai kiligal) sharing bedtime stories.

Hyperbole & Contrast

Thanneer megam panneer thoovum / Panneer thuliyum venneeraagum

Cool rosewater instantly turning into hot water emphasizes the intense heat of passion between the lovers.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ilakkiyam ithu thaanae / Ilakkanam kedalaamoo

The second consonant sound 'la' matches in consecutive lines, adding rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ore Oru Gramathiley (1989) features a celebrated soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The film addressed social commentary around reservations, while romantic tracks like 'Rettai Kiligal' provided melodious chartbuster appeal.

Keep listening

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