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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaasal Thirandhadhu Etharkku

From Naanum Indha Ooruthan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Naanum Indha Ooruthan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vasal thiranthathu edharkkuWhy was the doorway opened?
Vaazhkai piranthathu namakkuLife was born for us!
Female :Iravugal muzhudhum iruvarum ezhudhumFemale: To recite the poem of youth written by both of us...
Ilamaiyin kavidhai sollathaan...throughout all the nights.
Male :Angangae angangae thullathaanMale: To leap and dance here and there!
Female :Ammammaa ammammaa mella thaanFemale: Oh my, oh my, gently now!
Female
Vasal thiranthathu edharkkuWhy was the doorway opened?
Vaazhkai piranthathu namakkuLife was born for us!
Male :Iravugal muzhudhum iruvarum ezhudhumMale: To recite the poem of youth written by both of us...
Ilamaiyin kavidhai sollathaan...throughout all the nights.
Female :Angangae angangae thullathaanFemale: To leap and dance here and there!
Male :Ammammaa ammammaa mella thaanMale: Oh my, oh my, gently now!
Female
Mettaadha veenai ennai meettuPluck me, an unplayed veena,
Kaattadha raagam thannai kaattuShow the melodic raga never shown before.
Mettaadha veenai ennai meettuPluck me, an unplayed veena,
Kaattadha raagam thannai kaattuShow the melodic raga never shown before.
Male
Kaalai neram kaambodhiIn the morning hours, play Kambodhi,
Maalai neram kalyaniIn the evening hours, play Kalyani,
Female :Arthajaamam dhanyaasiFemale: At midnight, play Dhanyasi,
Aasai theera nee vaasiPlay until your heart's desire is satisfied!
Male :Oyyaadha sangeetham dhaanMale: This is indeed unceasing music,
Oru kodi sandhosam thaanIt brings ten million joys!
Female
Vasal thiranthathu edharkkuWhy was the doorway opened?
Vaazhkai piranthathu namakkuLife was born for us!
Male :Iravugal muzhudhum iruvarum ezhudhumMale: To recite the poem of youth written by both of us...
Ilamaiyin kavidhai sollathaan...throughout all the nights.
Female :Angangae angangae thullathaanFemale: To leap and dance here and there!
Male :Ammammaa ammammaa mella thaanMale: Oh my, oh my, gently now!
Male
Boopaalam mella mella paayaAs the morning melody gently flows,
Poomaeni nenjil vandhu saayaAs your flower-like body rests upon my chest,
Boopaalam mella mella paayaAs the morning melody gently flows,
Poomaeni nenjil vandhu saayaAs your flower-like body rests upon my chest,
Female
Melum keezhum unnaithaanFocusing on you above and below,
Melum melum pinnathaanEntwining more and more,
Male :Paalum thaenum oorathaanMale: As milk and honey flow,
Bodhai ellai meerathaanAs ecstasy crosses all boundaries!
Female :Nam kaadhal deiveegam thaanFemale: Our love is divine indeed,
Nooraandu vaibogam thaanIt is a century-long celebration!
Male
Vasal thiranthathu edharkkuWhy was the doorway opened?
Vaazhkai piranthathu namakkuLife was born for us!
Female :Iravugal muzhudhum iruvarum ezhudhumFemale: To recite the poem of youth written by both of us...
Ilamaiyin kavidhai sollathaan...throughout all the nights.
Male :Angangae angangae thullathaanMale: To leap and dance here and there!
Female :Ammammaa ammammaa mella thaanFemale: Oh my, oh my, gently now!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful romantic duet celebrating physical and emotional intimacy between two lovers. Vaali ingeniously uses classical Carnatic music ragas—Kambodhi for the morning, Kalyani for the evening, Dhanyasi for midnight, and Boopaalam for dawn—as metaphors for the different phases and moods of romantic passion throughout the day and night. By comparing the woman to an unstrummed veena awaiting her musician, the lyrics depict love as a divine, lifelong symphony filled with joy, tenderness, and boundless bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

Mettaadha veenai ennai meettu

The speaker compares herself to an unstrummed Veena ('Mettaadha veenai') and her partner to the musician who will draw out undiscovered melodies.

Musical Allegory

Kaalai neram kaambodhi / Maalai neram kalyani

Carnatic ragas (Kambodhi, Kalyani, Dhanyasi, Boopaalam) are used allegorically to symbolize different stages of romantic passion corresponding to times of the day.

Edhugai (Second Letter Assonance)

Boopaalam mella mella paaya / Poomaeni nenjil vandhu saaya

The second consonant sound 'll' matches across both lines, creating a rhythmic harmony.

Repetition / Anaphora

Angangae angangae thullathaan / Ammammaa ammammaa mella thaan

The playful repetition of 'Angangae' (here and there) and 'Ammammaa' builds melodic rhythm and conveys gentle hesitation.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Naanum Indha Ooruthan' (1990) featured music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics penned by the veteran Vaali. Vaali was renowned for seamlessly weaving classical Carnatic ragas and musical terminology into erotic and sensual film duets.

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