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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagamengum Orey

From Nadodi · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nadodi1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ulagam engum orae mozhiThere is only one language across the entire world,
Ullam pesum kaadhal mozhiThe language of love spoken by the heart.
Osai indri pesum mozhiA language spoken without any sound,
Uruvam illaa dhevan mozhiA divine language without a physical form.
Male
Paravai ondru varnangal veruThe bird is one, though its colors vary,
Paattu ondru raagangal veruThe song is one, though its melodies vary.
Paravai ondru varnangal veruThe bird is one, though its colors vary,
Paattu ondru raagangal veruThe song is one, though its melodies vary.
Iravu ondru paruvangal veruThe night is one, though the seasons vary,
Inbam ondru uruvangal veruJoy is one, though its forms vary.
Female
Kadalum vaanumEven if the ocean and the sky
Pirithu vaithaalumAre kept separated from each other,
Kaadhal vegam kaattrilum illaiNot even the wind can match the speed of love.
Udalgal irandum veruppattaalumThough two physical bodies are distinct,
Ondru kaadhal adhan per dheivamLove is one, and its true name is God.
Ondru kaadhal adhan per dheivamLove is one, and its true name is God.
Female
Ondrae vaanam ondrae nilavuThere is only one sky, only one moon,
Odi sendra aandugal kodiThough millions of years have fleeted past.
Ondrae vaanam ondrae nilavuThere is only one sky, only one moon,
Odi sendra aandugal kodiThough millions of years have fleeted past.
Kaadhal pesi kavidhaiyil aadiSpeaking of love and dancing in poetry,
Kalaigal thaedi kalandhavar kodiMillions merged together seeking various arts.
Male
Kodi manidhar pesiya pinnumEven after millions of people have spoken of it,
Kuraivillaamal valarvadhu kaadhalLove keeps growing without ever diminishing.
Naadu vittu naadu sendraalumEven if one crosses from country to country,
Thaedi sendru servadhu kaadhalLove is that which seeks and unites.
Thaedi sendru servadhu kaadhalLove is that which seeks and unites.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Written by Kannadasan, this song portrays love as a universal, transcendent, and divine force that surpasses physical form, geographical borders, and language. It highlights the philosophical idea of unity in diversity, drawing parallels from nature where birds, songs, nights, and joys exhibit varied expressions while remaining fundamentally one at their core. The lyricist asserts that while bodies are separate, true love unites them as a single divine essence faster than the wind. Furthermore, love is depicted as timeless and inexhaustible; despite being celebrated by millions through poetry and art over millions of years, its richness never fades, and it continuously seeks out and unites hearts wherever they go.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mohnai (Initial Rhyme / Assonance)

Ulagam engum orae mozhi / Ullam pesum kaadhal mozhi

The initial 'U/O' vowel sounds align across the opening lines ('Ulagam', 'Ullam', 'Osai', 'Uruvam'), creating a smooth, rhythmic melodic start.

Parallelism and Contrast

Paravai ondru varnangal veru / Paattu ondru raagangal veru

The repetitive structure of 'ondru... veru' ('is one... varies') highlights the underlying unity of nature amidst superficial differences.

Metaphor

Uruvam illaa dhevan mozhi

Love is poetically elevated to a formless divine language ('Uruvam illaa dhevan mozhi') and equated directly to God ('Ondru kaadhal adhan per dheivam').

Hyperbole

Kaadhal vegam kaattrilum illai

Extolling love's swiftness by asserting that even the speed of the wind cannot match the speed of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Nadodi (1966) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The music for this evergreen film was composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) and T. K. Ramamoorthy (credited individually or as MSV post-split around this era), with lyrics penned by Kannadasan and vocals rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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