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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanjikodi Poovanathu

From Inimai Idho Idho · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Inimai Idho Idho
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
11 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vanjikodi…..poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Vanjikodi…..poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Sogam vanthu thazhuvum ivalai
Pedhai nenjil dhinamum kavalai
Vanjikodi….aa….ha….poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Thevaigal theerkkavaa
Naan unnai naadinaen
Penmaiyin kaavalaai
Aan thunai thedinaen
Kai koduththaal…..kannagi naan
Kai viriththaal maathavithaan
Poonkodikku thunaiyirunthaal
Vaeru pakkam saayaathu
Kaaverikku anaiyirunthaal
Vaeru thisai paayaathu
Maelaadai pookkal kandaal
Kaamak kangal thaalaathu
Vanjikodi…aa….poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Sogam vanthu thazhuvum ivalai
Pedhai nenjil dhinamum kavalai
Vanjikodi….haha….poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Paadhaiyindri yaaththiraigal
Vidintha pinnnum aalaanathu
Kalyaanam illamal
Kai serkka aalundu
Pon thegam theendaamal
Poochchooda yaarundu
Thaenunna vandu vanthaal
Kelvi ketkkum poovindru
Vanjikodi…..poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
Sogam vanthu thazhuvum ivalai
Pedhai nenjil dhinamum kavalai
Vanjikodi….aa…haha….poovaanathu
Yaarai kettu aalaanathu
A slender vine has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
A slender vine has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
Sorrow comes and embraces her
Every day, there is worry in this innocent heart
A slender vine... ah... ha... has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
Was it merely to fulfill my needs
that I came searching for you?
As a protector of my womanhood,
I looked for a man's support
If you hold my hand, I am Kannagi (a devoted wife)
If you abandon me, I become Madhavi (a courtesan)
If a flowering vine has support,
it will not lean in any other direction
If the river Cauvery has a dam,
it will not flow another way
When they see the flowers on my garment,
lustful eyes cannot restrain themselves
A slender vine... ah... has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
Sorrow comes and embraces her
Every day, there is worry in this innocent heart
A slender vine... haha... has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
A journey without a path,
coming of age even after dawn has arrived
Without a marriage,
there are men ready to take my hand
Without touching my golden body,
who is there to place flowers in my hair?
When a beetle comes to drink its honey,
the flower raises a question today
A slender vine has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
Sorrow comes and embraces her
Every day, there is worry in this innocent heart
A slender vine... ah... haha... has blossomed into a flower
Whose permission did she ask before coming of age?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Inimai Idho Idho' expresses the internal struggle, vulnerability, and complex emotional state of a woman navigating societal expectations, romance, and moral dilemmas. Using metaphoric imagery like a creeper blossoming into a flower and the flow of the Cauvery river, lyricist Vairamuthu articulates her longing for true protection and stability rather than mere transient desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

“Vanjikodi…..poovaanathu”

Compares a young woman coming of age to a slender creeper vine ('vanjikodi') blossoming into a flower.

Allusion / Cultural Reference (இலக்கியக் குறிப்பு)

“Kai koduththaal…..kannagi naan / Kai viriththaal maathavithaan”

References Kannagi (the ideal chaste wife) and Madhavi (the courtesan/performer) from the Tamil epic Silappatikaram to highlight the dual roles forced upon womanhood based on male commitment.

Emoni / Rhyme (எதுகை)

“Poonkodikku thunaiyirunthaal / Kaaverikku anaiyirunthaal”

The second letter rhyme ('Poonkodikku' / 'Kaaverikku') adds musicality and rhythmic balance to the couplet.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features evocative poetry by Vairamuthu written during the early 1980s, an era when Tamil cinema frequently explored nuanced themes of women's agency, moral conflicts, and classical literary allusions in film music.

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