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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thottu Kondal Orinbam

From Poi Mugangal · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Poi Mugangal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Punnagaiya adhu puththagamaIs that a smile or a book to be read?
Raagangalae undhan thaai mozhiyaAre musical melodies your mother tongue?
Kannil enna kanni thaenaaIs that pure honey flowing in your eyes?
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Punnagaiya adhu puththagamaIs that a smile or a book to be read?
Raagangalae undhan thaai mozhiyaAre musical melodies your mother tongue?
Kannil enna kanni thaenaaIs that pure honey flowing in your eyes?
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Male
Kaatrum mannum poi aagumThe wind and the earth may turn into illusions,
Naettrum indrum poi aagumYesterday and today may become false,
Kaatrum mannum poi aagumThe wind and the earth may turn into illusions,
Naettrum indrum poi aagumYesterday and today may become false,
Kaadhal ondrae vaazhumLove alone shall live forever.
Male
Vaanil jothi ullavaraiAs long as there is light in the sky,
Kaalam sollum nam peyaraiTime will speak our names.
Vaanil jothi ullavaraiAs long as there is light in the sky,
Kaalam sollum nam peyaraiTime will speak our names.
Ennaalum vaadadhuIt will never wither,
Naam soodum jodi maalaiThe paired garland that we adorn.
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Punnagaiya adhu puththagamaIs that a smile or a book to be read?
Raagangalae undhan thaai mozhiyaAre musical melodies your mother tongue?
Kannil enna kanni thaenaaIs that pure honey flowing in your eyes?
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Male
Vaazhkai poraadiStruggling through the battles of life,
Naam vandhom theeyil neeradiWe emerged, having bathed in fire.
Vaazhkai poraadiStruggling through the battles of life,
Naam vandhom theeyil neeradiWe emerged, having bathed in fire.
Kandom inbam kodiWe discovered millions of joys,
Male
Neeyum naanum vaedhamadiYou and I are sacred scriptures, my dear.
Nam kaadhal dhesiya geethamadiOur love is a national anthem, my dear.
Neeyum naanum vaedhamadiYou and I are sacred scriptures, my dear.
Nam kaadhal dhesiya geethamadiOur love is a national anthem, my dear.
Nee vaazhga naan vaazhgaMay you live long, may I live long,
Boologam vaazhi thozhiMay this entire world prosper, my companion!
Male
Thottu kondaal orinbamTouching brings a sweet delight,
Katti kondaal per inbamEmbracing brings supreme bliss.
Punnagaiya adhu puththagamaIs that a smile or a book to be read?
Raagangalae undhan thaai mozhiyaAre musical melodies your mother tongue?
Kannil enna kanni thaenaaIs that pure honey flowing in your eyes?
Male
Laalalla laa la laaa….(4)Laalalla laa la laaa….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thottu Kondaal Orinbam from Poi Mugangal (1986) is a passionate romantic duet that celebrates the transcendent, eternal nature of true love and physical closeness. The lyrics contrast temporary world elements—such as earth, wind, and time—with the permanence of love, asserting that while worldly things fade, true love remains immortal like stars in the sky. In the second stanza, lyricist Vairamuthu introduces themes of resilience, describing how the couple has overcome hardship and emerged purified like gold from fire. They elevate their bond to sacred heights, comparing their union to holy scriptures (Vaedham) and a solemn national anthem (Dhesiya Geetham), ending on a triumphant blessing for each other and the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Assonance/Rhyme)

Thottu kondaal orinbam / Katti kondaal per inbam

The second consonant 't' (ட்) rhymes between 'Thottu' and 'Katti', creating a rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Neeyum naanum vaedhamadi / Nam kaadhal dhesiya geethamadi

Comparing the lovers to sacred scriptures ('vaedham') and their shared love to a national anthem ('dhesiya geetham').

Rhetorical Question

Punnagaiya adhu puththagama

Poetic questioning used to admire her smile, speech, and eyes, framing her beauty as mysterious and poetic.

Paradox / Oxymoron

Naam vandhom theeyil neeradi

'Theeyil neeradi' (bathed in fire) presents a paradox combining fire and bathing to symbolize purification through trial.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Poi Mugangal' (1986) stars Rakesh and Sulakshana. The musical score was composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song is notable for Vairamuthu's bold poetic imagery, such as comparing personal love to a national anthem.

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