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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalayai Kuniyum Thamaraye

From Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Rajeswari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Ennai edhir paarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting me, sweating with shyness
Ennai edhir paarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting me, sweating with shyness
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Male
Nee theerkka vaendum vaalipa thaagamYou must quench my youthful thirst
Female :Aa…..aa…..aa…..aaa….Female: Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male :Nee theerkka vaendum vaalipa thaagamMale: You must quench my youthful thirst
Female :Paarkadalin ooram panthi vaikkum naeramFemale: The time to set a feast at the edge of the milk ocean
Paarkadalin ooram panthi vaikkum naeramThe time to set a feast at the edge of the milk ocean
Male :Amutham vazhiyum idhzhai thudaiththuMale: Wiping the lips dripping with nectar
Vidiyum varaiyil virunthu nadaththuHost the feast until dawn
Female
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamarai naanI am the lotus bowing its head
Unnai edhirpaaarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting you, sweating with shyness
Unnai edhirpaaarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting you, sweating with shyness
Male
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Female
Kaaththirunthaen AnbaeI waited, my love
Ini kaamanin veedhiyil thaer varumoWill the chariot now arrive on the street of the god of love?
Male :Poo magal kannangalMale: The flower-like maiden's cheeks
Ini maadhulai pol niram maaridumoWill their color change now like a pomegranate?
Female
Aayiram NaanangalA thousand blushes
Intha oomaiyin veenaiyil isai varumaaWill music emerge from this mute's veena?
Male :Neeyoru pon veenaiMale: You are a golden veena
Adhil nuniviral thodugaiyil pala suramaaAre there many notes when fingertips touch it?
Female
Poovai nugarntha mudhal muraiyaaIs this the first time smelling the flower?
Male :Mm mm mmmhmmMale: Mm mm mmmhmm
Vaedhanai vaelaiyil sodhanaiyaaIs this a test in a time of distress?
Female :Mudhal muraiyaaFemale: Is it the first time?
Male :Idhu sariyaaMale: Is this right?
Female :Sari sari poovaadai kaattru jannalai saaththuFemale: Fine, fine, close the window against the fragrant breeze
Male :Aaa…..aaa……aa…..aaa…..aa….Male: Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Poovaadai kaatru jannalai saaththuClose the window against the fragrant breeze
Male :Uththaravu devi thathalikkum aaviMale: Give the command, my goddess, my soul is faltering
Uththaravu devi thathalikkum aaviGive the command, my goddess, my soul is faltering
Female :Irandu nadhigal Inainthu nadakkumFemale: Two rivers will merge and flow together
Pudhiya alaigal karaiyai udaikkumNew waves will breach the shore
Male
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head
Ennai edhir paarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting me, sweating with shyness
Ennai edhir paarththu vantha pinbu vaerththuAfter coming expecting me, sweating with shyness
Male
Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyaeO lotus bowing its head

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thalaiyai Kuniyum Thaamaraiyae from the 1983 film Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu is a sensuous and intimate duet capturing the romantic exchange between two lovers on their wedding night. The male protagonist lovingly addresses his bashful bride as a lotus bowing its head in shyness and a golden veena waiting to be played. The lyrics highlight her delicate blushes, likened to pomegranates and milk oceans. In response, the bride shares her sweet hesitation and surrender to passion. The song gracefully uses classic Tamil poetic metaphors—comparing the lovers' passion to two rivers merging together and overflowing their banks—to depict emotional and physical union with profound lyricism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

Thalaiyai kuniyum thaamaraiyae

Compares the bashful bride bowing her head in shyness to a lotus flower hanging down.

Uvamai / Simile (உவமை உருவகம்)

Ini maadhulai pol niram maaridumo

Compares the blushing cheeks of the woman changing color to that of a ripe pomegranate fruit.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Neeyoru pon veenai

Refers to the woman's graceful form as a 'pon veenai' (golden veena) that produces music at the touch of fingertips.

Allegory / Visual Imagery (காட்சிப் பிம்பம்)

Irandu nadhigal Inainthu nadakkum

Employs the grand imagery of two rivers merging together to break boundaries as an allegory for physical and spiritual intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu (1983) was written and directed by legendary filmmaker C. V. Sridhar, starring Raghuvaran in an early lead role. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vairamuthu and iconic vocal performances by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

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