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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Then Madurai Vaigai Nadhi

From Dharmathin Thalaivan · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharmathin Thalaivan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Thenmadurai vaigai nathi{ The Vaigai river in South Madurai
Thinam paadum thamizh paatu } (2)Sings a Tamil song daily } (2)
Theigindrathu theigindrathu pon maalai nilaThe golden evening moon diminishes and wanes,
Theyathathu nam aasai nilaBut the moon of our desires never wanes.
Ithu vaanam polae vaazhum paasamThis love lives forever like the sky.
Male
Thenmadurai vaigai nathiThe Vaigai river in South Madurai
Thinam paadum thamizh paatuSings a Tamil song daily
Thenmadurai vaigai nathiThe Vaigai river in South Madurai
Male
Nammai polae nenjam kondaHaving a heart filled with love like ours,
Annan thambi yaarum illaiThere are no brothers anywhere.
Thannai polae ennai ennumConsidering me as his own self,
Neeyum naanum oar thaai pillaiYou and I are children of the same mother.
Male
Thambi undhan ullam thaanaeYounger brother, your heart alone
Annan endrum vaazhum ellaiIs the realm where elder brother lives forever.
Ondrai kaanum vaanam engumAcross the sky that beholds oneness everywhere,
Rendai maara gnyayam illaiThere is no reason for it to divide into two.
Male
Kannodu thaan un vannamYour image is right within my eyes,
Nenjodu thaan un ennamYour thoughts are right within my heart.
Munneru nee menmelumMay you progress further and higher,
En aasaigal kai koodumAll my desires will be fulfilled.
Male
Intha nesam paasamMay this love and affection
Naalum vaazhgaThrive every day!
Male
Thenmadurai vaigai nathiThe Vaigai river in South Madurai
Thinam paadum thamizh paatuSings a Tamil song daily
Thenmadurai vaigai nathiThe Vaigai river in South Madurai
Male
Nenjil yennai naalum vaithuHolding me in her heart every single day,
Konjum vanna thogai ondruA colorful peacock coos affectionately.
Manjal maalai melam yavumTurmeric, flower garland, and wedding drums—
Kannil kaanum kaalam unduThere is a time to witness them all with our eyes.
Male
Poovai soodi pottum vaikaTo adorn flowers and place the sacred bindi,
Maman undu manae manaeThe maternal uncle is here, my deer-like girl.
Ullam thannai kollai kondaThe thief who stole her heart away,
Kalvan ingu nanae nanaeIs none other than me right here.
Male
Unnodu thaan en jeevanMy life is intertwined with yours,
Ondraakinan nam devanOur Lord made them into one.
Nee thanamma en thaaramYou are my star and wife,
Maarathamma yennalumThis truth will never change forever.
Intha nesam paasam naalum vaazhgaMay this love and affection live on every day!
Male
{ Thenmadurai vaigai nathi{ The Vaigai river in South Madurai
Thinam paadum thamizh paatu } (2)Sings a Tamil song daily } (2)
Female
{ Theigindrathu pon maalai nila } (2){ The golden evening moon wanes } (2)
Theyathathu nam aasai nilaBut the moon of our desires never wanes.
Ithu vaanam polae vaazhum paasamThis love lives forever like the sky.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thenmadurai Vaigai Nathi is a soulful Tamil classic from the film Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988) that celebrates the eternal strength of brotherly love and familial affection. Using the eternal river Vaigai and the sky as metaphors, the song contrasts transient worldly elements like the waning moon with the unwavering nature of pure emotional bonds. The elder brother rejoices in his younger brother's success and well-being, emphasizing that they are inseparable in heart and mind. The lyricist Vaali seamlessly blends fraternal bond with romantic warmth in the later stanzas, portraying sacred relationships ordained by destiny. Overall, the song stands as a powerful anthem of unity, unconditional love, selflessness, and familial values.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Ithu vaanam polae vaazhum paasam

Compares love/affection to the infinite sky using the word 'polae' (like).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Theyathathu nam aasai nila

Metaphorically compares human hopes and desires to an unwaning moon ('aasai nila').

Alliteration (Mona)

Theigindrathu theigindrathu pon maalai nila

Repetition of the initial sound 'Th' across adjacent words to create melodic flow.

Contrast (Muran)

Theigindrathu theigindrathu pon maalai nila / Theyathathu nam aasai nila

Contrasts the physical evening moon that wanes ('Theigindrathu') with their emotional moon of desires that never wanes ('Theyathathu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela, and K. S. Chithra, this song plays a pivotal thematic role in Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988). It highlights the iconic on-screen brotherhood between Rajinikanth and Prabhu.

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