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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Soi Soi

From Kumki · 2012

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Magizhini
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Kumki2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………………….
Female
Soi soi soi soiSoi soi soi soi
Female
KaiyalavuA heart as small as a handful
Nenjathila kadalalavuCarrying desire as vast as the ocean
Aasa machanDesire, my dear,
Female
Alavu yethum illaHas no measurement at all;
Adhuthaan kaadhal machanThat indeed is true love, my dear.
Naama jora man melaeOn this earth, even if we cannot join together
Sera vittalum nenaipeAs a couple, the mere memory of you
Pothum machanIs enough, my dear.
Female
Soi soi soi soiSoi soi soi soi
Female
VaanalavuA space as wide as the sky
Vittathula varapalavuSeparated only by a tiny ridge
Thooram machanIs the distance between us, my dear;
Female
Alavu thevaiyilaNo measurement scale is needed;
Adhuthaan paasam machanThat indeed is deep affection, my dear.
Naama vendi kondaalumWhether we pray or plead for it
Venda vittalum saamiOr choose not to pray,
Kekum machanGod will listen to us, my dear.
Female
Soi soi soi soiSoi soi soi soi
Male
…………………………
Female
YedalavuA mind as small as a single page
Ennathula ezhuthalavuWith thoughts filled with complex letters
Sikal machanIs the complication, my dear;
Female
Alavu kolae illaThere is no measuring stick for it;
Adhuthaan ooru machanThat indeed is how society works, my dear.
Naama naalu peruku nanmaiIf we do good to a few fellow beings,
Senjalae adhuvae pothum machanDoing just that is more than enough, my dear.
Female
NaadalavuTroubles as immense as a whole country
Kashtathila nagathalavuConfronted with joy as small as a fingernail
Ishtam machanIs our preference, my dear;
Female
Alavu kodae illaThere is no boundary line for it;
Adhuthaan nesam machanThat indeed is pure devotion, my dear.
Naama maandu ponalumEven when we eventually perish,
Thooki thee vaikaTo carry us and set the fire to our pyre,
Uravu venum machanWe need loving kin, my dear.
Female
Soi soi soi soiSoi soi soi soi
Female
KaiyalavuA heart as small as a handful
Nenjathila kadalalavuCarrying desire as vast as the ocean
Aasa machan alavuDesire, my dear, has no limit,
Yethum illa adhuthaanNothing at all to bound it;
Kaadhal machanThat indeed is love, my dear.
Female
Naama kaanumIf everything we ever dream of
Ellamae kaiyil senthaaleeReaches our hands,
Kavala yethu machanWhat cause remains for worry, my dear?
Female
{ Soi soi soi soi } (2)Soi soi soi soi (repeated twice)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Soi Soi' from Kumki is a soulful folk ballad that explores the infinite depth of human emotions through simple rustic imagery. It contrasts tiny physical dimensions—such as a handful or a fingernail—with immeasurable emotional states like ocean-sized love and sky-wide affection. The song conveys that true love and bonding cannot be quantified or constrained by earthly measurements.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole / Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaiyalavu / Nenjathila kadalalavu

Contrasts a tiny physical dimension ('Kaiyalavu' - size of a hand) with an immense emotional magnitude ('Kadalalavu' - ocean-sized).

Antithesis (Muran)

Naadalavu / Kashtathila nagathalavu

Juxtaposes country-wide hardship ('Naadalavu') with tiny, nail-sized happiness ('Nagathalavu') to highlight resilience.

Epiphora (Eyai / End Rhyme)

Adhuthaan kaadhal machan

The repetitive ending with the affectionate term 'machan' at the end of almost every line creates a rhythmic, intimate cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by folk artist Magizhini Manimaaran, this song became a major chartbuster upon release in 2012 and won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Keep listening

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