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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Ezhunthathu

From Geethanjali · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Geethanjali1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thulli yezhundhadhu paattuA song leapt up in joy,
Chinna kuyilisai kettuHearing the music of the little cuckoo.
Sandha varigala pottuDrafting lines of rhythm,
Solli koduthathu kaattruIt was the wind that taught them.
Male
Uravodu thaanOnly with intimate bond,
Adha paadanumShould it be sung;
Iravodu thaanOnly alongside the night,
ArangeranumShould it premiere.
Male
Thulli yezhundhadhu paattuA song leapt up in joy,
Chinna kuyilisai kettuHearing the music of the little cuckoo.
Male
Uyirae oru vaanam paadiOh my soul, like a lark,
Unakkaaga koovudhuIt calls out for you.
Azhagae pudhu aasai vellamOh beauty, a fresh flood of desire,
Anai thaandi thaavudhuIs leaping over the dam.
Male
Malarae dhinamOh flower, every day,
Maalai neramDuring the twilight hour,
Manam thaanae nogudhuMy heart aches on its own.
Male
Maalai mudhal…Starting from the evening...
Maalai mudhal kaalai varaiFrom evening until morning,
Sonnaal yenna kaadhal kadhaiWhy not tell a love story?
Kaaman kanai enai vadhaikkudhaeCupid's arrow is tormenting me.
Male
Thulli yezhundhadhu paattuA song leapt up in joy,
Chinna kuyilisai kettuHearing the music of the little cuckoo.
Male
Adiyae oru thookkam pottuOh girl, having a good sleep,
Nedu naal thaan aanadhuHas become a distant memory.
Kiliyae pasum paalum thaenumOh sweet parrot, fresh milk and honey,
Veruppaagi ponadhuHave now become distasteful.
Male
Nilavae pagal neram polaeOh moon, just like daytime,
Neruppaaga kaayudhuIt scorches like fire.
Male
Naan thedidum…hmmmThe one I search for... hmmm,
Naan thedidum …hmm..The one I search for... hmm..
Naan thedidum raasaathiyaeOh princess whom I search for,
Nee povadhaa yemaathiyaeAre you leaving after deceiving me?
Vaa vaa kannae idho azhaikkudhuCome, come my dear, look, it calls you.
Male
Thulli yezhundhadhu paattuA song leapt up in joy,
Chinna kuyilisai kettuHearing the music of the little cuckoo.
Sandha varigala pottuDrafting lines of rhythm,
Solli koduthathu kaattruIt was the wind that taught them.
Male
Uravodu thaanOnly with intimate bond,
Adha paadanumShould it be sung;
Iravodu thaanOnly alongside the night,
ArangeranumShould it premiere.
Male
Thulli yezhundhadhu paattuA song leapt up in joy,
Chinna kuyilisai kettuHearing the music of the little cuckoo.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the deep longing, romantic anguish, and ecstasy of a lover whose emotions are awakened by the melodies of nature. The breeze and the cuckoo serve as catalysts for a song born from the soul. As night approaches, the protagonist feels the painful pangs of passion, comparing love's intensity to a flooding river breaching its dam and the gentle night moon scorching like the midday sun. The imagery highlights the irresistible pull of love and the restlessness that accompanies separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Tharkurippetroani)

Solli koduthathu kaattru

The wind is personified as a music teacher that crafts rhythmic lines and teaches the song.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Uravodu thaan / Iravodu thaan

The second consonant 'ra' matches across 'Uravodu' and 'Iravodu'.

Hyperbole (Uruvagandhu / Yeoruvagam)

Nilavae pagal neram polae / Neruppaaga kaayudhu

Describing the cool moonlight as scorching like fire to reflect the internal pain of separation.

Metaphor

Azhagae pudhu aasai vellam / Anai thaandi thaavudhu

Surging romantic desire is compared to a flood breaking past a dam.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the provided prompt lists the music director as unknown, this classic track from 'Geethanjali' (1985) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. Sung beautifully by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki, the soundtrack remains one of the notable musical collaborations of the 1980s Tamil cinema era.

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