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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Solli Kodu

From Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Gangai Amaran, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Alli kodu alli koduShower upon me, shower upon me
Punnagaiyil muthinathaiThe pearls of your smile
Female
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Alli kodu alli koduShower upon me, shower upon me
Punnagaiyil muthinathaiThe pearls of your smile
Male
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Male
Thandirukkum thaamaraikkulInside the lotus that stands tall
Vandirukkum vaelai idhuThis is the time the bee has arrived
Thandirukkum thaamaraikkulInside the lotus that stands tall
Vandirukkum vaelai idhuThis is the time the bee has arrived
Female
Ul irukkum sevvidhazhilFrom the red lips within
Kal edukkum maalai idhuThis is the evening to sip the sweet nectar
Ul irukkum sevvidhazhilFrom the red lips within
Kal edukkum maalai idhuThis is the evening to sip the sweet nectar
Male
Thaen unna paathiram yaendhi varaComing holding a vessel to drink honey
Female
Adhil neer endru aasaigalIn which desires like water
Neendhi vara neendhi varaKeep swimming, keep swimming
Male
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Female
Alli kodu alli koduShower upon me, shower upon me
Punnagaiyil muthinathaiThe pearls of your smile
Male
Vin irukkum neelam ellaamDid your colorful eyes borrow
Vanna vizhi vaangiyadhoAll the blue that exists in the sky?
Vin irukkum neelam ellaamDid your colorful eyes borrow
Vanna vizhi vaangiyadhoAll the blue that exists in the sky?
Female
Vanna vizhi thoodhu vidaAs those colorful eyes send a message
Mannan manam yaengiyadhoDid the king's heart yearn?
Vanna vizhi thoodhu vidaAs those colorful eyes send a message
Mannan manam yaengiyadhoDid the king's heart yearn?
Male
Aayiram kelvigal nenjil varaAs a thousand questions arise in the heart
Female
Andha kelvikku badhil yenaAs the answer to those very questions
Naanum vara naanum varaI arrive too, I arrive too
Male
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Alli kodu alli koduShower upon me, shower upon me
Punnagaiyil muthinathaiThe pearls of your smile
Female
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid
Alli kodu alli koduShower upon me, shower upon me
Punnagaiyil muthinathaiThe pearls of your smile
Male
Solli kodu solli koduTeach me, teach me
Manmadhanin mandhirathaiThe mantra of Cupid

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Solli Kodu Solli Kodu' from the 1982 film 'Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane' is a sensual romantic song written by lyricist Vaali. The protagonist invites their beloved to teach the divine mantras of love and shower the precious pearls hidden in her smile. Through rich poetic imagery, intimacy is likened to a bee visiting a blooming lotus at dusk to extract sweet nectar, while desires swim like water in a vessel.\n\nThe song beautifully integrates the title of the movie into its verses, where the beloved's arrival acts as the definitive answer ('bathil') to a thousand questions ('kelvigal') lingering in the heart. The playful banter, vibrant metaphors of the sky-blue eyes, and rhythmic wordplay emphasize romantic devotion and passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Punnagaiyil muthinathai

Comparing the radiance of teeth/smile to precious pearls ('muthinathai').

Rhyme / Monai & Edhukai

Thandirukkum thaamaraikkul / Vandirukkum vaelai idhu

The second letter agreement and opening sound matching between 'Thandirukkum' and 'Vandirukkum'.

Visual & Nature Imagery

Vin irukkum neelam ellaam / Vanna vizhi vaangiyadho

Depicting the beauty of eyes by comparing them to absorbing the entire blue expanse of the sky.

Thematic Allusion

Aayiram kelvigal nenjil vara / Andha kelvikku badhil yena

Clever incorporation of the movie's title themes ('Kelvi' - Question, 'Bathil' - Answer) into the romantic lyrics.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song's lyricist Vaali cleverly woven the movie's title concept ('Kelviyum Naane Bathilum Naane' - I am the question and I am the answer) directly into the second verse with the line 'Aayiram kelvigal nenjil vara... badhil yena naanum vara'.

Keep listening

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