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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vasamilla Malar Idhu

From Oru Thalai Ragam · 1980

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Oru Thalai Ragam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Vaigai illaa madhurai idhuThis is Madurai without the river Vaigai,
Meenatchiyai theduthuSearching for Goddess Meenakshi.
Yaedhetho raagam ennaalum paadumIt sings various melodies every day,
Azhaiyaathaar vaasal thalai vaiththu odumResting its head at the doorstep of uninviting homes before running away.
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Male
Paattukkoru ragam yaettri varum pulavaaOh poet who composes tunes for songs,
Unakken aasai nilavaval melaeWhy do you desire her who is like the moon?
Meetti varum veenai sottavillai thaenaiThe strummed veena did not drip honey,
Unakken aasai nilavaval melaeWhy do you desire her who is like the moon?
Meetti varum veenai sottavillai thaenaiThe strummed veena did not drip honey,
Unakkaen aasai kalaimagai polaeWhy do you desire to be like the patron of arts?
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Male
Enna sugam kandaai indru varai thodarnthuWhat joy have you found pursuing this till today?
Unakkaen aasai rathiyaval melaeWhy do you desire her who is like Rathi?
Vanji aval unnai ennavillai indruThat maiden does not care for you today,
Unakkaen aasai rathiyaval melaeWhy do you desire her who is like Rathi?
Vanji aval unnai ennavillai indruThat maiden does not care for you today,
Unakkaen aasai manmathan polaeWhy do you desire to act like Manmathan?
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Male
Maathangalai enna pannirandu varalaamIn counting months, twelve may pass,
Unakkean aasai melondru koottaWhy do you desire to add one more?
Maadhu thannai ariya kannirandum poiyyaeAre the two eyes false if they cannot understand a woman?
Unakkean aasai melondru koottaWhy do you desire to add one more?
Maadhu thannai ariya kannirandum poiyyaeAre the two eyes false if they cannot understand a woman?
Unakkaen aasai uravendru naadaWhy do you desire to seek a relationship?
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.
Vaigai illaa madhurai idhuThis is Madurai without the river Vaigai,
Meenatchiyai theduthuSearching for Goddess Meenakshi.
Yaedhetho raagam ennaalum paadumIt sings various melodies every day,
Azhaiyaathaar vaasal thalai vaiththu odumResting its head at the doorstep of uninviting homes before running away.
Male
Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthuThis scentless flower searches for spring.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaasamillaa Malarithu from the movie Oru Thalai Ragam (1980) portrays the sorrow and existential despair of unrequited love. The song uses vivid poetic metaphors to depict a lover longing for an unreciprocated affection, comparing the protagonist to a scentless flower seeking spring or Madurai missing its sacred Vaigai river. Through a series of reflective rhetorical questions, the lyrics challenge the lover on the pointlessness of pursuing someone who does not acknowledge their devotion, encapsulating the deep tragedy of one-sided romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Vaasamillaa malarithu vasanthaththai theduthu

Compares a lovelorn, unrequited heart to a flower without fragrance seeking the spring season.

Cultural Metaphor / Imagery

Vaigai illaa madhurai idhu Meenatchiyai theduthu

Uses the iconic imagery of Madurai, its Vaigai river, and Goddess Meenakshi to illustrate extreme emptiness and unfulfilled longing.

Rhetorical Question

Enna sugam kandaai indru varai thodarnthu

Questions the protagonist directly on what satisfaction or joy has been achieved through persistent, unrequited pursuit.

Alliteration (Monai)

Vaasamillaa malarithu / Vaigai illaa madhurai

Repetition of the 'Va' sound in initial syllables across lines creates melodic resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Thalai Ragam was a pathbreaking cult classic movie written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar in his directorial debut. The soundtrack became an enormous musical hit across Tamil Nadu, cementing T. Rajendar's reputation as a unique multifaceted auteur in Tamil cinema.

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