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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silu Silu Siluvena Kaathu

From Kizhakku Karai · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Kizhakku Karai1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Lalalala laalaa lalalalalaaLalalala laalaa lalalalalaa
Lalalala laalaa lalalalalaaLalalala laalaa lalalalalaa
Laaaa laaa laaa laaaaLaaaa laaa laaa laaaa
Lalalala laa lalalalalaaLalalala laa lalalalalaa
Female
Silu silu siluvena kaathuAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Pakkam vara vara uruguthu naathuThe young sapling melts as you come closer.
Pudhu pudhu varigala pottuDrafting new and beautiful lines,
Adhai padikkudhu paruvathu pattuThe silk of youth reads them aloud.
Oru naesam… oru paasamA deep affection… a tender love,
Andha kaathum naathumThat breeze and that sapling,
Nee thaan naan thaanAre non-other than you and me.
Vaa maamanaeCome, my dear uncle (beloved)!
Female
Silu silu siluvena kaathuAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Pakkam vara vara uruguthu naathuThe young sapling melts as you come closer.
Female
Vaaikaalum vayalum saatchiThe irrigation canal and the fields are witnesses,
Maamavae naanthaanOh uncle, it is me,
Oyaama unna enniThinking about you ceaselessly,
Thurumbaana maan thaanA deer that has grown lean as a twig.
Female
Vadakaala pogum kaathaeOh wind blowing towards the north,
Naal dhorum naanaeEvery day, I myself,
Unakkaaga thoodhu vittuSending messages for your sake,
Dhinam maanji ponnenWore myself out daily.
Female
Neengaadha aasa noiyaachuUnending desire has turned into a sickness,
Poongaathum ipo theeyaachuEven the gentle flower-breeze has now turned to fire.
Mana naal vandhu kooda venumThe wedding day must arrive soon for us to unite,
Poo maala poda venumWe must exchange floral garlands.
Female
Silu silu siluvena kaathuAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Pakkam vara vara uruguthu naathuThe young sapling melts as you come closer.
Pudhu pudhu varigala pottuDrafting new and beautiful lines,
Adhai padikkudhu paruvathu pattuThe silk of youth reads them aloud.
Female
Engaeyum pozhappa thaediSearching for a livelihood elsewhere,
Pogaadha maamaDo not go away, my uncle.
Naal paarthu parisam poduPick an auspicious date and present the betrothal gift,
Naalaachu maamaIt has been so long, my uncle.
Female
Enna nee kaadhal pannuYou must love me,
Adhu thaan un velaiIndeed, that is your only duty.
Pannaatti poyaaa enguIf you don't, go wherever you like,
Vidamatten aalaI won't let you get away!
Female
Naan poosum manjal nee thaanaeI am the turmeric paste you apply,
Nee posum soapum naan thaaanaeAnd you are the soap I use.
Pothuva anbu kaattu maamaaShow love generously, my uncle,
Pesaama vaattalaaamaWhy torment me without speaking?
Female
Silu silu siluvena kaathuAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Pakkam vara vara uruguthu naathuThe young sapling melts as you come closer.
Pudhu pudhu varigala pottuDrafting new and beautiful lines,
Adhai padikkudhu paruvathu pattuThe silk of youth reads them aloud.
Oru naesam… oru paasamA deep affection… a tender love,
Andha kaathum naathumThat breeze and that sapling,
Nee thaan naan thaanAre non-other than you and me.
Vaa maamanaeCome, my dear uncle (beloved)!
Female
Silu silu siluvena kaathuAs the cool breeze gently blows,
Pakkam vara vara uruguthu naathuThe young sapling melts as you come closer.
Pudhu pudhu varigala pottuDrafting new and beautiful lines,
Adhai padikkudhu paruvathu pattuThe silk of youth reads them aloud.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic rural expression of love from a young woman directed towards her maternal uncle (a traditional relationship term for a beloved in Tamil culture). She compares their bond to the natural elements of a village—the cool wind and the growing rice sapling in the lush fields, using nature as a backdrop and witness to her devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi)

Silu silu siluvena kaathu

'Silu silu siluvena' simulates the refreshing sensation and sound of a cool, soothing breeze.

Metaphor (Uruvagamaai)

Andha kaathum naathum

The speaker metaphorically equates her lover and herself to the breeze and the tender sapling ('Andha kaathum naathum / Nee thaan naan thaan').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Thurumbaana maan thaan

Describing herself as a deer reduced to the size/weight of a twig ('Thurumbaana maan') due to constant yearning.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Neengaadha aasa noiyaachu / Poongaathum ipo theeyaachu

Rhyming of the second letter 'na' across lines 'Mana' and 'Poo maala' (or 'Neengaadha' and 'Poongaathum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kizhakku Karai' (1991) stars Prabhu and Kushboo in the lead roles, with music composed by Deva and lyrics penned by the legendary poet Vaali.

Keep listening

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