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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanni Karuthiruchi

From Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hey muthu muthaaHey, like pearl by pearl,
Mottu vitta vaasamullaA fragrant flower has budded,
Ada thotuputta thoshamillaHey, there is no fault in touching it,
Vaadi pullaaaaaaaaaCome on, my girl!
Male
Thanni karuthuruchuThe water has darkened with storm clouds,
Kannu thavala satham ketturuchuThe sound of the bullfrog in the pond is heard,
Oorum orangiruchuThe whole town has fallen asleep,
Naama odhunga idam kedachuruchuWe have found a place to take shelter.
Male
Thanni karuthuruchuThe water has darkened with storm clouds,
Kannu thavala satham ketturuchuThe sound of the bullfrog in the pond is heard,
Male
Medhuva podudhu thooralA gentle drizzle falls,
Adi melae thelikidhu saaralHey, a cool spray sprinkles upon us,
Medhuva podudhu thooralA gentle drizzle falls,
Adi melae thelikidhu saaralHey, a cool spray sprinkles upon us,
Male
Odamboo enaku sooda irukuMy body feels warm,
Sillunudhan nenjamWhile my heart feels cool,
Naan serndhukavaa konjamShall I hold you close for a little while?
Mathadhukaa panjamIs there any shortage of intimacy?
Nee maliyapoo manjamYou are a bed of jasmine flowers,
Male
Ragasiya uravirukuuuuuThere is a secret relationship...
NamakuuuuuuuFor us!
Yeee kita kitaaaa vandhu vandhuuuuuHey, come closer and closer,
KattikadiiiiiiiiiiiEmbrace me tight!
Attaiyapoal sattunudhan ottikadiiiiiiiiStick to me instantly like a leech!
Male
Thanni karuthuruchuThe water has darkened with storm clouds,
Kannu thavala satham ketturuchuThe sound of the bullfrog in the pond is heard,
Male
Tharusa kedakudhu bhoomiThe earth lies dry and barren,
Ada ithukaa padachaan saamiHey, did God create it just for this?
Tharusa kedakudhu bhoomiThe earth lies dry and barren,
Ada ithukaa padachaan saamiHey, did God create it just for this?
Male
Naandhan megamI am the rain cloud,
Unaken dhagamWhy do you still have thirst?
Kolludhadi thabamYearning is overwhelming, my girl,
Naan konjuvadhaa paavamIs it a sin if I caress you?
Minjudhadi mogamLust is overflowing,
Heyy anjudhadi dhegamHey, the body trembles,
Male
Vaaliba vayasirukuuuuuuuuWe have our youthful age...
NamakuuuuuuuuuFor us!
Heey kothu kothaaHey, in bunches and bunches,
Kaachirukum thennangollaeIn the coconut grove laden with fruit,
Konji ninnaaaa kuthamillaaaaThere is no fault if we share affection,
Vaadipullaaaaee…..ae…..Come on, my girl...
Male
Thanni karuthuruchuThe water has darkened with storm clouds,
Kannu thavala satham ketturuchuThe sound of the bullfrog in the pond is heard,
Male
Lesa thodadhan mayakamJust a light touch brings intoxication,
Yen rosapoovae unakumEven for you, my rosebud,
Adhuvaa adangumIt will subside on its own,
Anacha elagumWhen embraced, it softens,
Male
Kandathanaal pithamObsession born from seeing you,
Naan kondathudhan michamAll I am left with is this yearning,
Thandhidavaa muthamShall I give you a kiss?
Adi vandhidumaa sathamHey, will any sound come out?
Male
Thudikira thudipethukuuWhy does this heart throb so intensely?
AdhukuuuuuuuuFor that...
Yeeee kaadhum kaadhummHey, as if whispers pass ear to ear,
Vachadhupoll vaadi pullaaaaaCome on, my girl,
Kannum kannum pesarapooWhen eyes speak to eyes,
Bashai illaaa….There is no need for language...
Male
Thanni karuthuruchuThe water has darkened with storm clouds,
Kannu thavala satham ketturuchuThe sound of the bullfrog in the pond is heard,
Oorum orangiruchuThe whole town has fallen asleep,
Naama odhunga idam kedachuruchuWe have found a place to take shelter,
Othunga idam kedachuruchuWe found a place to take shelter,
Othunga idam kedachuruchuWe found a place to take shelter.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sensual folk-infused duet set on a rainy night in a rural landscape. The lyrics capture the intimacy between two lovers who take shelter together as rain clouds gather, a gentle drizzle falls, and the town falls asleep. Using rustic imagery—such as croaking frogs, coconut groves, and rain clouds—the song conveys raw romantic passion, physical closeness, and unspoken desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming / Assonance)

Thanni karuthuruchu / Kannu thavala satham ketturuchu

Matching second consonants across successive lines to create rhythmic flow ('nni' and 'nnu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nee maliyapoo manjam

Comparing the beloved directly to a bed of jasmine flowers, signifying purity and comfort.

Simile (Uwamai)

Attaiyapoal sattunudhan ottikadi

Using 'poal' (like) to compare holding closely to a leech sticking fast.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the iconic 1978 film 'Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu', this track was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The song is famed for its authentic usage of rural folk idioms and earthy rhythms within a commercial Tamil film soundtrack.

Keep listening

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