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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thendral Kaatre Ondraai

From Adharmam · 1994

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Adharmam1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ho ho… 0hoho ho ho…Ho ho… 0hoho ho ho…
Oho… haa aaha haa haa…Oho… haa aaha haa haa…
Male
Thendral kaatrae ondraai povomaaOh gentle breeze, shall we go together?
Thullum vellam endrae aavomaaShall we become like a leaping stream?
Pullinangal paatteduthu paadura naeramIt is the time when birds burst into song
Pon aruvi kaaleduthu odura naeramIt is the time when the golden waterfall steps forth and runs
Naam iruvar kai anaithuHolding hands together, the two of us
Oorvalammaai poi varalaamaaShall we go for a joyous procession and return?
Ingu poothirukkum pookkalidamFrom the flowers that have bloomed here
Vaazhthukkalai vaangidalaamaaShall we receive blessings?
Male
Thendral kaatrae ondraai povomaaOh gentle breeze, shall we go together?
Thullum vellam endrae aavomaaShall we become like a leaping stream?
Chorus
Sullunu veyil yaerudhuThe scorching sun is rising high
Aamaandi anna kiliYes indeed, my elder parrot
Sillunnu kaatha thaedudhuIt seeks a cool breeze
Aamaandi chella kiliYes indeed, my dear parrot
Summaadi sulli pookkudhuDry twigs blossom delightfully
Aamaandi ponnu maniYes indeed, my precious treasure
Sumai thaangi nammai paadudhuThe resting stone sings for us
Aamaandi thanga maniYes indeed, my golden girl
Ooru thuli neerum kodukkumThe village gives even a drop of water
Kaadu nammai thaai pol anaikkumThe forest embraces us like a mother
Male
Neerai chumandhu varumOh sky clouds that come bearing water
Aagaaya megangalaeAm I not your friend?
Naan ungal nanban illaiyoOh dragonfly/insects that fly low
Thaazha paarandhu varumAm I not your elder brother?
Thasthaara poochigalaeUpon the bamboo trees
Naan ungal annan illaiyoOh woodpeckers, you all
Moongilgalin melaeWhy do you peck daily with the tip of your beak?
Maram kothigalae neengaIf you make a hole, the sweet breeze will move in
Mookku nuniyaala dhinam kothuradhu yaengaThat sound will transform into a sweet song of honey
Thola pottaakkaa poongaathu kudiyaerumMy ears listen closely to that sound
Andha osai thaan thaen paattaa uru maarumLearning those songs like a lesson
En kaadhara thaan adha naan kekkurenI will sing them under the milky moonlight
Andha paattugala paadam panniOh gentle breeze, shall we go together?
Paal nilavil paadiduven naanShall we become like a leaping stream?
Male
Thendral kaatrae ondraai povomaaWith caste and relatives
Thullum vellam endrae aavomaaSaying I don't need any association
Male
Saadhi sanangalidamI spent my time living with the forest
Sangaatham venaaminnuMaking issues over temple and tank
Kaattoda kaalam kazhithaenSeeing people fight, I stayed far away
Koyil kulatha vechuThe discrimination present in the country
Poraattam pannuradhaIs absent in this forest, oh Lord
Paathu naan yetti iruppenLeopard, tiger, and lion
Male
Naattil ulla baedhamWhat religion do they follow here?
Indha kaattil illa saamiHere there are no quarrels or abusive words
Vaengai puli singamWhat place could be superior than this?
Inga yenna madham kaamiNo trouble, no futile arguments
Ingu poosalgal yaesalgal kidaiyaadhuHere, like the sun and like the moon
Idhu polae thaan melaana idam yaedhuI will roam around freely
Or vambum illa veen vaadham illaOh gentle breeze, shall we go together?
Ingu sooriyan pol chandhiran polShall we become like a leaping stream?
Sudhandhiramaa thirinjiduven naanIt is the time when birds burst into song
Male
Thendral kaatrae ondraai povomaaIt is the time when the golden waterfall steps forth and runs
Thullum vellam endrae aavomaaHolding hands together, the two of us
Pullinangal paatteduthu paadura naeramShall we go for a joyous procession and return?
Pon aruvi kaaleduthu odura naeramFrom the flowers that have bloomed here
Naam iruvar kai anaithuShall we receive blessings?
Oorvalammaai poi varalaamaaOh gentle breeze, shall we go together?
Ingu poothirukkum pookkalidamShall we become like a leaping stream?
Vaazhthukkalai vaangidalaamaa
Male
Thendral kaatrae ondraai povomaa
Thullum vellam endrae aavomaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting duet celebrates the bliss of living in harmony with nature, away from societal prejudices and conflicts. The protagonist speaks of abandoning the divisive social constructs of caste, religion, and temple disputes present in human settlements to embrace the serene and equalizing life in the forest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Emoni (Ethirai & Monai)

Aamaandi anna kili... Aamaandi chella kili

The repetitive call-and-response pattern in 'Aamaandi' lines uses rhyming end-words ('anna kili', 'chella kili', 'ponnu mani', 'thanga mani') to establish a rhythmic folk tempo.

Personification

Kaadu nammai thaai pol anaikkum

Nature is personified; the forest embraces humans like a mother, and the sky clouds and insects are treated as personal friends and brothers.

Simile

Ingu sooriyan pol chandhiran pol sudhandhiramaa thirinjiduven naan

The speaker compares their desire for unrestricted freedom to the uninhibited motion of the sun and moon.

Did you know?

Trivia

Music for 'Adharmam' (1994), starring Vijayakanth, was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this track celebrating nature and equality.

Keep listening

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