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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vin Mel Thavazhnthu

From Macha Rekai · 1950

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Macha Rekai1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vinmel thavazhnthuCrawling upon the sky,
Sellum vennilavaeOh white moon that moves along,
En kannae kalaiamudhaeMy precious eye, nectar of arts,
VennilavaeOh white moon,
Male
Thaaragai solaiyil nee vilaiyaadaAs you play in the grove of stars,
Sandhosam thaan androoIs it not sheer joy?
Velli annam polaeLike a silver swan,
Varum kannae kalaiyamudhae vennilavaeOh coming precious eye, nectar of arts, white moon,
Male
Naadhan thalai mel amarndhaalumEven if you sit upon the Lord's head,
Nagamum theendaathoo vennilavaeDoesn't the snake still touch you, oh white moon?
Vaendhan unakkae baedhamillamalHas not the King without discrimination
Jothiyai thandhanandroGranted you this radiant light?
Engal kanna kalaiyamudhae vennilavaeOur dear eye, nectar of arts, white moon,
Male
Neela thiraikadalil neendhi vaadaCome swimming across the blue wavy ocean,
Neeloor pazhaga kanaiyai yendhi vaadaCome bearing the well-practiced arrow,
Maalai sudar oliyae odi vaadaCome running, oh bright light of the evening,
Maaya ulagin inbam neeyae vaadaCome, for you are the joy of this illusionary world,
En kannae kalaiyamudhae vennilavaeMy precious eye, nectar of arts, white moon!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poetic song is an apostrophe addressed to the moon (Vennilavae), comparing it to a beloved art-form and a silver swan moving gracefully across the starry heavens. The lyrics weave mythic imagery, such as the moon resting on Lord Shiva's crest alongside the serpent, while praising the divine light bestowed upon it equally. The singer invites the moon to glide over the blue ocean waves and bring joy to an illusory world, combining devotional, celestial, and romantic aesthetics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Velli annam polae

Compares the glowing moon's movement across the sky to a silver swan ('Velli annam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thaaragai solaiyil nee vilaiyaada

Refers to the star-filled sky as a grove of stars ('Thaaragai solai') where the moon plays.

Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (Moni)

Neela thiraikadalil neendhi vaada

Repetition of the 'Neel-' prefix at the beginning of consecutive lines for musical rhythmic effect.

Apostrophe

En kannae kalaiamudhae vennilavae

Directly addresses the moon as a sentient beloved figure ('En kannae kalaiyamudhae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Macha Rekai (1950) featured music by the legendary C. R. Subbaraman and vocals by T. R. Mahalingam, known for his resonant classical voice. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass utilized traditional Tamil poetic tropes and mythology to create an enchanting night-song.

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