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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thandhaay

From Nadigaiyar Thilagam · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Charulatha Mani
Music director
Mickey J. Meyer
Details
Nadigaiyar Thilagam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ranga ranga ranga ranga rangaRanga ranga ranga ranga ranga
Ranga ranga ranga ranga ranga…aa…hhRanga ranga ranga ranga ranga...
Female
Nizhal vendi nindrenI stood longing for shade,
Megamena en melae vandhaaiYou came over me like a cloud.
Kuzhal ketka nindrenI stood waiting to hear the flute,
Raagamena neeyae vandhaaiYou yourself came as the melody.
Azhal kori nindrenI stood seeking warmth,
Azhal kori nindrenI stood seeking warmth,
Oru kaadhal thandhaayaeYet you bestowed upon me a vast love.
Female
Aaaa…aaa….aa…..Aaaa...aaa...aa...
Female
Kalamaai nee aanaaiYou became eternity itself,
Karam sera kettennaeI asked to hold your hands,
En kaiyil vandhaai kannaaAnd you came right into my hands, my Krishna.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poetic passage expresses deep devotion and romantic devotion towards Krishna (Ranga). The protagonist lists simple expectations or desires—seeking shade, wanting to hear music, or seeking fire/warmth—and describes how the divine lover fulfills and surpasses each desire in profound ways by becoming the cloud, the melody, and love itself. The poem captures the tender, devotional surrender of a soul finding complete union with her beloved Krishna, who manifests fully in her life when she simply reaches out her hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Nizhal vendi nindren / Kuzhal ketka nindren / Azhal kori nindren

The second letter 'ழ' (zhal) is repeated across consecutive key lines ('Nizhal', 'Kuzhal', 'Azhal'), creating a subtle rhythmic flow.

Simile (Uwamai)

Megamena en melae vandhaai / Raagamena neeyae vandhaai

The suffix '-ena' is used to compare the beloved's arrival to a cloud ('Megamena') and a musical melody ('Raagamena').

Anaphora / Structural Repetition

Nizhal vendi nindren / Kuzhal ketka nindren / Azhal kori nindren

The phrase 'vendi nindren' / 'ketka nindren' / 'kori nindren' repeats identical structural endings across stanzas to emphasize patient waiting.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features in Nadigaiyar Thilagam (2018), the Tamil version of the acclaimed biographical film Mahanati, which chronicles the life of legendary South Indian actress Savitri. The music was composed by Mickey J. Meyer, with evocative Tamil lyrics written by Madhan Karky.

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