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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theeyinum Kodithe Kathal

From Maaya Mohini · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. N. Thirupathi
Movie name
Maaya Mohini
Movie release year
1956
Lyrics added on
20 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Theeyinum kodithae kaadhal thee
Therindhaal anal thee thagikkuma
Ezhil maevum malaraai enniyae
Inimaiyudan vilaiyaadum mandhargalae
Kanidhidum meikadhal kannalae
Parandhegam iragum paliyagudhae
Paraayoo indha parithabamae
Pen paapamae anudhabam aagumae
Jagamae anbaal kondaada
Thyaaga maevum seiyalae seidhaai
The fire of love is crueler than real fire.
Could even a blazing flame burn this much?
Thinking of it as a beautiful flower,
O people who play with it so joyfully!
Through the eyes of tender, true love,
Even soaring wings are sacrificed.
Won't you look upon this tragic plight?
A woman's sorrow turns into deep sympathy,
So the whole world may celebrate with love,
You performed an act of noble sacrifice...!
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song reflects on the consuming nature of love and the beauty of ultimate sacrifice. It cautions humanity against treating love as a mere playful flower, warning that love is a fire far more perilous than physical flame. When caught in its power, individuals often surrender everything, burning away their innocence like moths in a flame. The song further touches upon the transformation of guilt into repentance, culminating in praise for a selfless act of sacrifice. It asserts that true sacrifice done out of love transcends suffering and earns the everlasting admiration and celebration of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagham (Metaphor)

Theeyinum kodithae kaadhal thee

Love is directly conceptualized as a destructive and consuming fire ('kaadhal thee').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Therindhaal anal thee thagikkuma

Agreement of the second consonant sound 'r' across consecutive lines ('Therindhaal' and 'Parandhegam').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Paraayoo indha parithabamae

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' ('Paraayoo', 'parithabamae', 'Pen', 'paapamae') creating melodic rhythm.

Contrast / Anthesis

Ezhil maevum malaraai enniyae

Juxtaposition of love portrayed harmlessly as a beautiful flower ('malaraai') against its real nature as a burning fire ('kaadhal thee').

Did you know?

Trivia

Maaya Mohini (1956) featured music by S. N. Thirupathi, a veteran composer known for his mythological and folklore film scores. The lyrics were penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, famous for integrating classical literary motifs and moral philosophies into popular film music of that era.

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