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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Velli Mani Kinnathiley

From Dharmathin Thalaivan · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharmathin Thalaivan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vellimani kinnaththilaIn the silver bowl,
Nalla nalla sandhanamdhaanThere is very fine sandalwood paste.
Sandhanaththa thottadhumaeThe moment I touched the sandalwood,
Nenjaththila thandhanathaanA joyful rhythm resonated in my heart.
Male
Adiyae raasaathi sirikaadhadiHey princess, do not laugh like that,
Anbae en nenja parikaadhadiMy love, do not steal my heart away.
Female :Allikkolla poren unna azhagagathaanFemale: I am going to scoop you up so beautifully,
Killikkolla poren ippo medhuvaagathaanI am going to pinch you gently right now.
Chorus
Vellimani kinnaththilaIn the silver bowl,
Nalla nalla sandhanamdhaanThere is very fine sandalwood paste.
Chorus
Sandhanaththa thottadhumaeThe moment I touched the sandalwood,
Nenjaththila thandhanathaanA joyful rhythm resonated in my heart.
Male
Paarthu paarthu paarvaiyellaamBy gazing endlessly, my entire vision
Poovaagi ponadhu maanaeHas blossomed into flowers, my dear.
Female :Poovum poothu pinjaagiththaanFemale: Flowering and turning into tender young fruit,
Kaayaagi ponava naanaeI am the one who matured into a fruit.
Male
Pinjaanadhenna kaayaanadhennaWhy the tender fruit, why the mature fruit?
Anjaamal kooradi neeyum dhaanSpeak without fear, tell me now.
Female :Appaavi maamaa aaraaichi venaamFemale: Innocent uncle, no need for deep research,
Ippodhu yedhunga neramdhaanIs now the right time for all this?
Male
Meiyyodu naanum meiyaagacheraFor my physical self to truly unite with yours,
Female :Melaadaippola onnaaga koodaFemale: To gather as one like an upper garment,
Male :Varavendum oru neramMale: A right moment must arrive,
Adha chollu maanaeTell me when that is, my dear.
Male
Allikkolla poren unnaI am going to scoop you up
AzhagagathaanSo beautifully,
Female :Killikkolla poren ippoFemale: I am going to pinch you now
MedhuvaagathaanVery gently.
Male
Paalum thaenum ippodhudhaanOnly now have milk and honey
Onnaaga cherndhadhu indruBlended together as one today.
Paasam anbu nesamellaamAffection, love, and tender attachment,
En kangal paarththadhu indruMy eyes have witnessed them all today.
Male
Eppodhum unnai neengaamal vaazhumLiving forever without ever parting from you,
Nannaalai kettpadhu naanumdhaanI am asking for such a blessed day.
Kutraala kaattrum sangeedham paadumThe Courtallam breeze sings melodic music,
Ippodhu en manam polaththaanJust like the joyful state of my heart right now.
Male
Anbulla nenjam thannodu konjumThe loving heart cuddles with its partner,
Inbangal thaanae ennodu thanjamPleasures have taken complete refuge in me.
Inimelum puriyaadhaFrom now on, there is no longer
Oru kelvi illaiAny unanswered question remaining.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vellimani Kinnaththila from the 1988 Tamil film Dharmathin Thalaivan is a playful and affectionate romantic duet between two lovers. Using sensual and natural imagery—such as silver bowls, fragrant sandalwood paste, fruits, milk and honey, and the soothing breeze of Courtallam—the song captures the joy of intimacy and mutual affection. The characters engage in lighthearted teasing where the female lead playfully chides her partner's innocence while expressing her deep attraction, and the male lead expresses his deep emotional commitment and desire for a life together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Adiyae raasaathi sirikaadhadi / Anbae en nenja parikaadhadi

Rhyming endings in consecutive lines ('sirikaadhadi' and 'parikaadhadi').

Uvamai & Urubagam (Metaphor / Imagery)

Paalum thaenum ippodhudhaan / Onnaaga cherndhadhu indru

Comparing the union of lovers to the sweet blending of milk and honey.

Personification

Kutraala kaattrum sangeedham paadum

Attributing the human action of singing music to the breeze of Courtallam.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Nalla nalla sandhanamdhaan

Repetition of words like 'Nalla nalla' and 'Paarthu paarthu' for rhythmic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the music for Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, and vocals rendered by legendary singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The film features Rajinikanth, Prabhu, Gautami, and Suhasini.

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