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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Udal Aaviyum Pol

From Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film · 1947

Lyricist
K. P. Kamatchisundaram
Singer
T. S. Bagavathi
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film1947

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Udal aaviyum pol vaazhvadhendroWhen will we live together like body and soul?
Oviyamae naamWe are like a painting!
Unmai kaadhal poi dhaanaIs true love a lie?
Nam kaadhal poi dhaanaIs our love a lie?
Udal aaviyum pol vaazhvadhendroWhen will we live together like body and soul?
Oviyamae naamWe are like a painting!
Unmai kaadhal poi dhaanaIs true love a lie?
Nam kaadhal poi dhaanaIs our love a lie?
Female
Malar manam tharumaaWill the flower offer its fragrance?
Namm manam kalithidumaWill our hearts rejoice?
Kaadhal malar manam tharumaaWill the flower of love offer its fragrance?
Naan kaanbathellam veen kanavaaIs everything I see a vain dream?
Kavalai minjidumaWill sorrow alone remain?
Female
Kaanbathellaam veen kanavaaIs everything I see a vain dream?
kavalai minjidumaaWill sorrow alone remain?
Kadalum ….nilavumLike the ocean... and the moon...
Polum inba gadhi kidaithidumaaWill we attain such a blissful state?
Kadalum ….nilavumLike the ocean... and the moon...
Polum inba gadhi kidaithidumaaWill we attain such a blissful state?
Namm kaadhal poidhaanaIs our love a lie?
Unmai kaadhal poidhaanaIs true love a lie?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the intense yearning and existential despair of separated lovers. The protagonist questions if true love—meant to be an indivisible bond like the body and soul—is merely a false illusion or an unattainable dream. Using vivid natural metaphors of blooming flowers, the ocean, and the moon, the song laments the tragic possibility that deep love might yield only lingering grief rather than lasting spiritual bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Udal aaviyum pol vaazhvadhendro

Compares the intimacy of lovers to the inseparable bond between the body (udal) and soul/spirit (aavi).

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kaadhal malar manam tharumaa

Refers to love as a blooming flower (Kaadhal malar) that bestows fragrance and joy.

Cosmic Simile (Uvamai)

Kadalum ….nilavum Polum inba gadhi kidaithidumaa

Compares supreme happiness (inba gadhi) to the natural, tide-driving harmony between the ocean and the moon.

Refrain and Anaphora

Unmai kaadhal poi dhaana / Nam kaadhal poi dhaana

Repetition of the rhetorical question questioning if love is a lie emphasizes heartbreak and despair.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naam Iruvar (1947), directed by A. V. Meiyappan (AVM Productions), was a historic blockbuster released during the year of India's independence. While famous for featuring Subramania Bharati's nationalist songs, its original romantic tracks composed by R. Sudarsanam were also deeply popular among audiences of the era.

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