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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sandhana Marbilae

From Nadodi Thendral · 1992

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nadodi Thendral1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sandhana maarbilaeOn the sandalwood-smeared chest
Kungumam serndhathaeThe auspicious vermilion has merged
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Female
Mangala neramaeIt is an auspicious time
Ingoru yaagamaeA sacred fire ritual is happening here
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Female
Naadhangal saatchiMusical notes are the witness
Vedhangal saatchi oh..The sacred scriptures are the witness, oh...
Male
Sandhana maarbilaeOn the sandalwood-smeared chest
Kungumam serndhathaeThe auspicious vermilion has merged
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Male
Mangala neramaeIt is an auspicious time
Ingoru yaagamaeA sacred fire ritual is happening here
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Chorus
Aaa….aaaa….aaaa…aaaa….Aaa....aaaa....aaaa...aaaa....
Male :Pala ulagam pogum yaathiraiMale: A journey traversing many worlds
Nilavulagil nerndhadhaeHas now reached the world of the moon
Female :Kanavulagil vizhundha or piraiFemale: A crescent moon that fell into a world of dreams
Ninaivulagil vilaguthaeIs now slipping away from the world of reality
Male
Velvi velvi kaamadhevanaeSacred ritual, sacred ritual, oh God of Love
Tholvi tholvi kaadhal porilaeDefeat, defeat in this battle of love
Velvi velvi kaamadhevanaeSacred ritual, sacred ritual, oh God of Love
Tholvi tholvi kaadhal porilaeDefeat, defeat in this battle of love
Female
Naadhangal saatchiMusical notes are the witness
Vedhangal saatchi…ohh…The sacred scriptures are the witness... ohh...
Male
Sandhana maarbilaeOn the sandalwood-smeared chest
Kungumam serndhathaeThe auspicious vermilion has merged
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Female
Mangala neramaeIt is an auspicious time
Ingoru yaagamaeA sacred ritual is happening here
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Chorus
Aaa….aaaa….aaaa…aaaa….Aaa....aaaa....aaaa...aaaa....
Female :Alaiyalaiyaai kaadhal sangoliFemale: Like surging waves, the conch sound of love
Nadu iravil muzhangudhaeResounds in the middle of the night
Male :Mani maniyaai naadha kinkiniMale: Like jingling bells, the sweet musical tones
Pudhukkavidhai pozhiyudhaeShower fresh new poetry
Female
Vedham vedhamScripture, scripture,
Kaadhal vedhamaeLove itself is the holy scripture
Odhu odhu kaamadhevanaeChant, chant, oh God of Love
Vedham vedhamScripture, scripture,
Kaadhal vedhamaeLove itself is the holy scripture
Odhu odhu kaamadhevanaeChant, chant, oh God of Love
Male
Naadhangal saatchiMusical notes are the witness
Vedhangal saatchi…ohh…The sacred scriptures are the witness... ohh...
Female
Sandhana maarbilaeOn the sandalwood-smeared chest
Kungumam serndhathaeThe auspicious vermilion has merged
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Male
Mangala neramaeIt is an auspicious time
Ingoru yaagamaeA sacred ritual is happening here
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Female
Naadhangal saatchiMusical notes are the witness
Vedhangal saatchi…ohh…The sacred scriptures are the witness... ohh...
Male
Sandhana maarbilaeOn the sandalwood-smeared chest
Kungumam serndhathaeThe auspicious vermilion has merged
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon
Female
Mangala neramaeIt is an auspicious time
Ingoru yaagamaeA sacred ritual is happening here
Chorus :O madhi o madhiChorus: Oh Moon, oh Moon

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sandhana Maarbilae from Nadodi Thendral (1992) is a sensory and romantic duet that sacralizes physical and emotional intimacy. The song compares the union of two lovers to a sacred sacrificial ritual (Yaagam/Velvi), with the moon, holy scriptures (Vedhas), and musical notes serving as divine witnesses. Through rich classical metaphors, the lyrics depict love as an ultimate spiritual truth beyond conventional reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Velvi velvi kaamadhevanae

Words like 'Velvi velvi', 'Tholvi tholvi', and 'Vedham vedham' are repeated consecutively to amplify the intense passion and ritualistic atmosphere of love.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Kaadhal vedhamae

The lyrics metaphorically elevate love to the status of a sacred Veda ('Kaadhal vedhamae') and compare romantic intimacy to a sacred fire sacrifice ('Ingoru yaagamae').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Velvi velvi kaamadhevanae / Tholvi tholvi kaadhal porilae

Rhyming of the second consonant sound between consecutive lines: 'Velvi' and 'Tholvi'.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Nilavulagil nerndhadhae / Ninaivulagil vilaguthae

Matching of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Nilavulagil' and 'Ninaivulagil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nadodi Thendral (1992) was directed by Bharathiraja and features music composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned lyrics for songs in this soundtrack. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam/Mano and S. Janaki, the soundtrack blends classical Carnatic elements with folk romantic sensibilities characteristic of the Bharathiraja-Ilaiyaraaja collaboration.

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