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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thoodhu Sellayo

From Raja Sevai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Ghantasala, P. Susheela
Music director
T. V. Raju
Details
Raja Sevai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thoodhu sollaayooWon't you carry a message?
Dhinam kaadhal kadhaigal paesum nilavaeO moon that speaks of love stories every day,
Thoodhu sollaayooWon't you carry a message?
Female
Saedhi sollaayooWon't you deliver news?
Ezhil jodhiyaai ulavum nilavaeO moon roaming as a radiant, beautiful light,
Saedhi sollaayooWon't you deliver news?
Male
Kannilaadum paavaiyaalaeBecause of the maiden who dances in my eyes,
Punnagaiyin paarvaiyaaleBecause of her smiling glance,
Kannilaadum paavaiyaalaeBecause of the maiden who dances in my eyes,
Punnagaiyin paarvaiyaaleBecause of her smiling glance,
Ennaiyae naan izhandhaaleI have completely lost myself,
Enadhu nilaiya sollavaeTo convey my current state of mind,
Thoodhu sollaayooWon't you carry a message?
Female
Kanaiyil veezhndha maanaiLike a deer felled by an arrow,
Kanavilum un ninaivinilaeImmersed in your thoughts even in dreams,
Kanaiyil veezhndha maanaiLike a deer felled by an arrow,
Kanavilum un ninaivinilaeImmersed in your thoughts even in dreams,
Vanamulavum kokilamaeThe cuckoo bird wandering the forest,
Vaarum endru koovudhendraeIs cooing and calling out for you to come,
Female
Saedhi sollaayooWon't you deliver news?
Ezhil jodhiyaai ulavum nilavaeO moon roaming as a radiant, beautiful light,
Saedhi sollaayooWon't you deliver news?
Male
Haa..aaa…haa…aaa..[Vocalizing]
Hmmm mm mm mm hmm mm mm mm[Humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Raja Sevai' (1959) is a soulful romantic ballad where lovers express their deep longing and yearning through nature. The protagonist entreats the moon—a timeless romantic confidant—to act as a messenger (Thoodhu) to convey his devotion and emotional distress to his beloved. He compares his heart's vulnerability to a deer wounded by an arrow and notes how even the cuckoo in the forest echoes his desperate plea for reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Apostrophe / Munnilai)

Dhinam kaadhal kadhaigal paesum nilavae

Addressing the moon ('nilavae') directly as a conscious being that speaks of love stories and carries messages.

Simile / Metaphor (Upamai)

Kanaiyil veezhndha maanai

Comparing the lover's helpless state of being struck by love to a deer wounded by an arrow ('Kanaiyil veezhndha maan').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kanaiyil veezhndha maanai / Kanavilum un ninaivinilae

The repetition of the initial consonant 'Ka' in 'Kanaiyil' and 'Kanavilum' creates rhythmic harmony across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raja Sevai' (1959) is the Tamil dub/bilingual version of a popular historical drama. This duets features legendary playback singers Ghantasala and P. Susheela, with music composed by T. V. Raju and lyrics crafted by the legendary Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass.

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