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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Tholil Vizhum Malaiye

From Ullathil Nalla Ullam · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
22 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thozhil vilum maalaiyae
Thookam illaiyae
Maalai varum bothellam
Kaaman thollaiyae
Kanavilum ninaivilum
Kalanginen mayanginen
Thozhil vilum maalaiyae
Thookam illaiyae
Maalai varum bothellam
Kaaman thollaiyae
Mangai illamal malaranai kavidhai
Mannan thaan paada koodumoo
Female :Pongum sangeetha kanavugal valara
Engum aanandham paadumo
Inaindhu paadamal yen indha oodal
Ilamai nil endru koorumo
Female :Kalandha pinnalae kaaveri punalum
Kadalil illamal oodumo
Male :Idhayam muzhudhum inimai
Ini valam varum
Thozhil vilum maalaiyae
Thookam illaiyae
Male :Maalai varum bothellam
Kaaman thollaiyae…
Aa aa aa a aa aa
Male :Mmm mmm mm mmmm
Vaadai kaatrodum maargazhi kulirum
Kodai pol indru aanadhae
Male :Medai melaadum maadhulanganigal
Aasai thoondamal thoondudhae
Poovin mel thoovum sila mazhai thuligal
Thaenil thenaaga sernthathae
Male :Podhum porattum yen endru koori
Pudhiya raagangal paadudhae
Iravum pagalum inaiyum
Iru nadhigalum
Thozhil vilum maalaiyae
Thookam illaiyae…ye
Female :Maalai varum bothellam
Kaaman thollaiyae
Kanavilum ninaivilum
Kalanginen mayanginen
Thozhil vilum maalaiyae
Thookam illaiyae
Male :Maalai varum bothellam
Kaaman thollaiyae
O garland falling on my shoulders,
there is no sleep.
Whenever evening arrives,
the god of love torments me.
In dreams and in thoughts,
I felt restless and lost in love.
O garland falling on my shoulders,
there is no sleep.
Whenever evening arrives,
the god of love torments me.
Without a woman, a poem on a bed of flowers—
can the king even sing it?
Female: As overflowing musical dreams grow,
will joy sing out everywhere?
Why this lover's quarrel instead of singing together?
Will youth ever say, "Stop"?
Female: After uniting, can the waters of the Kaveri
flow anywhere except into the sea?
Male: Sweetness filling the whole heart
will now surround us.
O garland falling on my shoulders,
there is no sleep.
Male: Whenever evening arrives,
the god of love torments me...
Aa aa aa a aa aa
Male: Mmm mmm mm mmmm
Along with the north wind, the chill of Margazhi (winter month)
has turned as warm as summer today.
Male: The pomegranate fruits swaying on the stage
tease and stir up my desire.
A few drops of rain sprinkled on the flower
have merged together like honey in honey.
Male: Saying, "Why fight? Enough of this struggle,"
new melodies are being sung.
Night and day, they come together—
these two rivers.
O garland falling on my shoulders,
there is no sleep...
Female: Whenever evening arrives,
the god of love torments me.
In dreams and in thoughts,
I felt restless and lost in love.
O garland falling on my shoulders,
there is no sleep.
Male: Whenever evening arrives,
the god of love torments me.
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic duet captures the intense yearning, desire, and emotional intimacy between two lovers. The lyrics utilize rich imagery of twilight, chilly winds turning warm, and nature's harmony to portray the romantic tension and ultimate union of the couple. The recurring theme highlights how twilight and night trigger deep feelings of love (personified as Kaaman's torment) that keep the lovers awake and captivated by thoughts of one another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Kaaman thollaiyae”

Desire and romantic pangs are personified through 'Kaaman thollaiyae' (the torment of Kama, the Hindu god of love), who perturbs the lovers as dusk falls.

Analogy / Metaphor

“Kalandha pinnalae kaaveri punalum Kadalil illamal oodumo”

The flow of love and destiny is compared to the River Kaveri, which inevitably seeks its union with the sea.

Moanai (Initial Alliteration)

“Inaindhu paadamal yen indha oodal / Ilamai nil endru koorumo”

Matching vowel sounds 'Inaindhu' and 'Ilamai' at the start of consecutive lines creates rhythmic poetic flow.

Imagery

“Vaadai kaatrodum maargazhi kulirum Kodai pol indru aanadhae”

Sensory contrast between the freezing cold of Margazhi (winter) and the warmth of summer to represent passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song was composed and written by Gangai Amaran for the 1988 film 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam'. Performed by legendary playback singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, the song is known for its intricate melodies and expressive vocal embellishments.

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