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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaagam Adhu

From Unakkum Enakkum · 1972

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Unakkum Enakkum1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sugam enna sugam enna sugamWhat pleasure, what pleasure, what bliss!
Thaagam adhu paruvathin oru vagai raagamThat thirst is a kind of melody of youth.
Mogam adhu piranthathum oruvitha vegamOnce passion is born, it brings a sudden rush.
Female
Thaagam adhu paruvathin oru vagai raagamThat thirst is a kind of melody of youth.
Female
Pavala sevvaai kaninthathuThe coral-red lips have ripened,
Paruga paruga suranthathu enna sugamAs they are savored again and again, what pleasure flows!
Thuvalum kodiyo sumanththuCarrying a body soft as a slender vine,
Thunaiyai kanduUpon seeing her companion,
Sivanththu enna sugam..Blushing deep red, what pleasure!
Female
Thaagam adhu paruvathin oru vagai raagamThat thirst is a kind of melody of youth.
Female
Poraadu thegam neeraadum neramThe time when the wrestling bodies immerse together,
Poraadu thegam neeraadum neramThe time when the wrestling bodies immerse together,
Pogaatha thooramUntraveled distances,
Pogindrapothu enna sugumAs one journeys through them, what pleasure!
Female
Thaagam adhu paruvathin oru vagai raagamThat thirst is a kind of melody of youth.
Female
Meiyum meiyum kalanthathuBody merged together with body,
Maiyum saanththum karanththu enna sugamAs kohl and sandal paste dissolve, what pleasure!
Uravin kavithai malarnthathuThe poem of intimate bond bloomed,
Ulagam ingae maranththu enna sugamForgetting the entire world right here, what pleasure!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the passionate yearning, romantic ecstasy, and sensual pleasure experienced during youth. It frames youthful desire as a melody ('raagam') and highlights the intoxicating joy of emotional and physical intimacy between lovers. Through rich metaphors of vines, coral lips, and blending cosmetics, the song conveys a state of deep romantic union where all worldly cares are forgotten.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Thaagam adhu paruvathin oru vagai raagam

Youthful yearning or desire is metaphorically compared to a melody (raagam) in a musical composition.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Meiyum meiyum kalanthathu / Maiyum saanththum karanththu enna sugam

Rhyming of the second letter 'i'/'ai' sound across lines ('Meiyum' / 'Maiyum').

Visual Imagery

Maiyum saanththum karanththu enna sugam

Evokes vivid visual imagery of intimacy causing cosmetics like kohl and sandalwood paste to blur and wash away.

Repetition (Anaphora)

Sugam enna sugam enna sugam

The phrase 'enna sugam' (what pleasure) is repeated across several stanzas to emphasize intense bliss.

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Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu for the 1972 film 'Unakkum Enakkum', this track features a soulful rendition by K. Swarna, capturing the sensual romantic themes popular in 1970s Tamil film music.

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