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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirutheril

From Naan Vazhavaippen · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naan Vazhavaippen1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thirutthaeril varum silaiyoIs this a statue coming on a sacred chariot?
Silai poojai oru nilaiyo azhaghin kalaiyoIs it a state of idol worship, or an art of beauty?
Kalai malaro maniyo nilavoIs it an artistic flower, a gem, or the moon?
Nilavoliyo enum sugam tharumOr is it moonlight? Giving such pleasure.
Male
Thirutthaeril varum silaiyoIs this a statue coming on a sacred chariot?
Female
Mana maedai varum kiliyoIs it a parrot arriving at the stage of the mind?
Kili thaeduvadhu kaniyo kani pol mozhiyoIs what the parrot searches for a fruit, or speech sweet as fruit?
Mozhi mayakkam pirakkum vizhiyoIs it eyes from which linguistic fascination is born?
Vizhi kanaiyo tharum tharum sugamAre the eyes arrows? Giving and bestowing pleasure.
Female
Mana maedai varum kiliyoIs it a parrot arriving at the stage of the mind?
Male
Thaalaattu kaetkindra mazhalai idhuThis is a child listening to a lullaby.
Thandodu thaamarai aadudhuA lotus dancing along with its stem.
Male
Sambangi pookkalin vaasam idhuThis is the fragrance of champak flowers.
Sangeedha pon mazhai thoovudhuA golden rain of music is showering.
Raagangalil moganam maegangalil naadagamIt is Mohanam among ragas, a play among clouds.
Un kangal ezhudhiya kaaviyamAn epic written by your eyes.
En idhaya maedai thanil arangaettramDanced for the first time on the stage of my heart.
Female
Mana maedai varum kiliyoIs it a parrot arriving at the stage of the mind?
Kili thaeduvadhu kaniyo kani pol mozhiyoIs what the parrot searches for a fruit, or speech sweet as fruit?
Mozhi mayakkam pirakkum vizhiyoIs it eyes from which linguistic fascination is born?
Vizhi kanaiyo tharum tharum sugamAre the eyes arrows? Giving and bestowing pleasure.
Male
Thirutthaeril varum silaiyoIs this a statue coming on a sacred chariot?
Female
Sendhoora kovilin maelam idhuThis is the drumbeat of a vermillion temple.
Srungaara sangeedham paadudhuSinging romantic music.
Female
Jillendra thendralin kaalam idhuThis is the season of a cool gentle breeze.
Thaenoorum senthamizh paesudhuSpeaking pure Tamil dripping with honey.
Dheebam tharum kaarthighaiIt is the month of Kaarthigai that brings lights.
Dhaevan varum maargazhiIt is the month of Maargazhi when God arrives.
En dheivam anuppiya thoodhuvanA messenger sent by my deity.
Naan dhinamum paarthirukkum thirukkolamThe sacred form I gaze upon every day.
Male
Thirutthaeril varum silaiyoIs this a statue coming on a sacred chariot?
Silai poojai oru nilaiyo azhagin kalaiyoIs it a state of idol worship, or an art of beauty?
Kalai malaro maniyo nilavoIs it an artistic flower, a gem, or the moon?
Nilavoliyo enum sugam tharumOr is it moonlight? Giving such pleasure.
Female
Mana maedai varum kiliyoIs it a parrot arriving at the stage of the mind?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thirutthaeril Varum Silaiyo is a classic Tamil duet from the 1979 film Naan Vazhavaippen, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song is a romantic dialogue between lovers expressing deep affection through rich visual imagery, drawing comparisons to divine idols, sacred festivals, sweet parrots, and musical melodies. The lovers celebrate each other's beauty, portraying their love as a fine art performance staged within the heart, capturing both divine devotion and romantic romance. The song gracefully weaves references to Carnatic music (Mohanam raga) and auspicious Tamil months like Kaarthigai and Maargazhi to elevate love to a sacred realm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Andhadhi (Anadiplosis)

Kalai malaro maniyo nilavo / Nilavoliyo enum sugam tharum

The end of one phrase forms the beginning of the next (e.g., Nilavo -> Nilavoliyo, Mozhiyo -> Mozhi, Vizhiyo -> Vizhi), creating a seamless poetic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Un kangal ezhudhiya kaaviyam

Comparing the lover's eyes directly to a poet writing an epic poem.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kili thaeduvadhu kaniyo kani pol mozhiyo

Comparing sweet spoken words to a sweet fruit using the comparative marker 'pol'.

Alliteration (Monai)

Sendhoora kovilin maelam idhu / Srungaara sangeedham paadudhu

Matching initial sounds across lines to establish rhythmic harmony (e.g., Sendhoora / Srungaara).

Did you know?

Trivia

Naan Vazhavaippen (1979) features music by Ilaiyaraaja and starred Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya alongside Rajinikanth. This memorable duet was rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela, written by legendary lyricist Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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