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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silence Silence

From Panakkaran · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Panakkaran1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Silence….{Silence…
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male :Silence….Male: Silence…
Chorus :Silence…} (2)Chorus: Silence…} (2)
Male :BeautifulMale: Beautiful
Chorus
{Silence…{Silence…
Male :Kaadhal seiyum nerum ithuMale: This is the time to make love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male :Kaaman pallikkoodam ithu} (2)Male: This is the school of the God of Love} (2)
Female
Mounamthan ingulla paadangalSilence itself is the lesson taught here
Paarvaiyil sangeethum paadungalSing the music in your glances
Mounamthan ingulla paadangalSilence itself is the lesson taught here
Paarvaiyil sangeethum paadungalSing the music in your glances
PaadumnerumThe time to sing
Chorus
Silence…Silence…
Male :Kaadhal seiyum nerum ithuMale: This is the time to make love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male :Kaaman pallikkoodam ithuMale: This is the school of the God of Love
Chorus :SilenceChorus: Silence
Male
Yezhuthatha un maeniYour unwritten body
Naan padikkavaeFor me to read and study
Theriyatha vannangal theriyuthaeUnseen colors are appearing
Ethalaalae mutthukkalWith my lips, pearls
Naanum korkavaeFor me to string together
Idaiyodum ennangal theriyumaeDesires along your waist become visible
Female
Paarkum paarvaiyilIn the glance you cast
Pathi verthathaeHalf of my body broke into sweat
Enmaeni verthu verthuthanMy body drenched in sweat
Meethi theinthathaeAnd the remaining melted away
Male
Paavai maeniyaeO maiden's tender body
Hae paadamaanathaeHey, it has become a lesson to learn
Thottaada aadaikoodathanEven the clothing touched during embrace
BaaramanathaeHas become a heavy burden
Female
Aanmai naalum kaaval kaakkaWhile manhood stands guard every day
Aasai thaenai alli serkaTo gather and scoop up the honey of desire
Male :Raagadevan paadal polaMale: Like a song composed by Raagadevan
Raagam thaalamRaga and rhythm
Naamum sernthu paadum neramThe time for us to sing together
Chorus
Silence…Silence…
Female :Kaadhal seiyum nerum ithuFemale: This is the time to make love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Female :Kaaman pallikkoodam ithuFemale: This is the school of the God of Love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male
Vaanilaadum nilavuthannilOn the moon floating in the sky
Aadai yethadiIs there any clothing, my friend?
Mannil vantha nilavu neeyum kooradiTell me, you moon who descended to the earth!
Female
Pennukingu naanamunduA woman here possesses modesty
ArinthukollaiyaaDo you understand that?
Nilavukkendru naanam illaiThe moon in the sky has no shyness
TherinthukollaiyaaDo you know that?
Male
Oruvarukkuthan sonthamanathuBelonging exclusively to one person
Ennodu iruvithathilum banthamanathuIt became an intimate bond with me in both ways
Female :Kaadhal iravuthan vidiyalanathaeFemale: The night of love is turning into dawn
Antha kaaman uravuthan thodaralanathaeThat intimate relation of Cupid continues
Male
Kaadhal aatril neenthum velaiWhile swimming in the river of love
Kaatru pola naanum maaraFor me to change and flow like the wind
Female :Jathi poovil vaasam polaFemale: Like the fragrance inside a jasmine flower
Aaval indriWithout eagerness/hesitation
Naamum sernthu paadum neramThe time for us to sing together
Chorus
{Silence…{Silence…
Male :Kaadhal seiyum nerum ithuMale: This is the time to make love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male :Kaaman pallikkoodam ithu} (2)Male: This is the school of the God of Love} (2)
Female
Mounamthan ingulla paadangalSilence itself is the lesson taught here
Paarvaiyil sangeethum paadungalSing the music in your glances
Mounamthan ingulla paadangalSilence itself is the lesson taught here
Paarvaiyil sangeethum paadungalSing the music in your glances
PaadumnerumThe time to sing
Chorus
Silence…Silence…
Male :Kaadhal seiyum nerum ithuMale: This is the time to make love
Chorus :Silence…Chorus: Silence…
Male :Kaaman pallikkoodam ithuMale: This is the school of the God of Love
Chorus :SilenceChorus: Silence

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual song from the 1990 movie Panakkaran metaphorically frames romance and intimacy as an academy presided over by Kaaman, the Hindu God of Love ('Kaaman pallikkoodam'). The lyrics express how spoken words are unnecessary during moments of deep physical and emotional intimacy, as quiet glances, shared silence, and touch serve as the ultimate language of romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kaaman pallikkoodam ithu / Mounamthan ingulla paadangal

Framing romance and romantic intimacy as an educational institution where silence serves as the primary curriculum.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Yezhuthatha un maeni / Naan padikkavae

Comparing the female lover's untouched body to an unwritten text waiting to be read.

Self-Referential Meta Metaphor

Raagadevan paadal pola

Lyricist Vaali includes a direct nod to music director Ilaiyaraaja, calling him 'Raagadevan' (God of Ragas), comparing the couple's harmony to one of his compositions.

Simile (Upamai)

Jathi poovil vaasam pola

Comparing natural fragrance inside a jasmine flower to seamless emotional unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in some lyric books, the music for 'Panakkaran' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. In a famous meta-moment in Tamil cinema music, lyricist Vaali explicitly addresses Ilaiyaraaja in the line 'Raagadevan paadal pola' (Like a song by Raagadevan). The song features a distinct stylistic overlay of whispered 'Silence...' chorus breaks over a lush rhythm.

Keep listening

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