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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yele Ilangkiliye

From Ninaivu Chinnam · 1989

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ninaivu Chinnam1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!
Female
Nonbu pala naanirunthu vendum varam vendi nirkkaAs I observed many sacred vows and stood praying for the boon I desired,
Nonbu pala naanirunthu vendum varam vendi nirkkaAs I observed many sacred vows and stood praying for the boon I desired,
Dheivamthaan thanthathu unnaiththaan ilangiliyaeGod himself bestowed you upon me, my young parrot!
Female
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!
Male
Kuzhalodum yaalodum isai ketta pothumEven when listening to the music of the flute and the lute,
Mazhalai un sol pola isai aavathaethuWhat music can match the innocence of a child's lisping words?
Kuzhalodum yaalodum isai ketta pothumEven when listening to the music of the flute and the lute,
Mazhalai un sol pola isai aavathaethuWhat music can match the innocence of a child's lisping words?
Female
Yaaradi unnai padaiththaarWho created you, my dear one?
Annaiyum thanthaiyum illaiYou have no mother and no father,
Unnai en kaiyil koduththaarWho placed you into my hands?
Dheivamaa nampavumillaiWas it God? I can scarcely believe it!
Anbilae anpai inaiththuBinding love with even more love,
Vambugal seivathum ennaWhy do you keep playing these playful pranks?
Unmaithaan solladiTell me the truth, my dear!
Selvamae sirikkaathaeMy precious treasure, do not just smile!
Female
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!
Female
Malai meedhu thavazhnthaadi vilaiyaadum nadhiyaeYou are a river flowing and playing down the mountain top!
Alai veesum kadal pola tamil paadum kodiyaeLike a sea of rolling waves, you are a vine that sings in Tamil!
Malai meedhu thavazhnthaadi vilaiyaadum nadhiyaeYou are a river flowing and playing down the mountain top!
Alai veesum kadal pola tamil paadum kodiyaeLike a sea of rolling waves, you are a vine that sings in Tamil!
Female
Moodadi vaasarkadhavai kangalthaan pattu vidumaeClose the main doorway, lest the evil eye fall upon you!
Paadadi paasakkavithai nenjanthaan kettu vidumaeSing a poem of pure affection, for my heart desires to hear it!
Female
Endraikko ezhuthi vaiththaanIt was written long ago by fate,
Indraikku nadappathellaamAll that comes to pass today!
Unmaithaan mullaiyaeIt is the absolute truth, my sweet jasmine!
Ennaiyae naan maranthaenI have completely forgotten myself in bliss!
Female
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!
Female
Nonbu pala naanirunthu vendum varam vendi nirkkaAs I observed many sacred vows and stood praying for the boon I desired,
Dheivamthaam thanthathu unnaiththaan ilangiliyaeGod himself bestowed you upon me, my young parrot!
Female
Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyaeOh young parrot, my beloved green parrot!
Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyaeLike pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet honeyed taste of refined Tamil!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from 'Ninaivu Chinnam' is a tender expression of maternal or deep affectionate love, comparing the beloved child/girl to tender imagery from Tamil literature such as a parrot, sweet milk, flowing rivers, and honeyed Tamil speech. The singer expresses profound gratitude to the Divine, reflecting on how prayers and fasts culminated in receiving this precious gift.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Paalae pasungkodiyae painthamizhin thaensuvaiyae

Compares the loved one directly to pure milk, a tender vine, and the sweet taste of Tamil honey.

Simile (Uwamai)

Alai veesum kadal pola tamil paadum kodiyae

Compares the grand, undulating rhythm of her singing to the waving motion of the sea using 'pola'.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kuzhalodum yaalodum isai ketta pothum / Mazhalai un sol pola isai aavathaethu

Repetition of consonant/vowel sound combinations at the start of poetic phrases.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Yaelae ilangiliyae ennaasai paingiliyae

Rhyming endings 'ilangiliyae' and 'paingiliyae' create a pleasing musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ninaivu Chinnam' (1989) features a soundtrack composed by Isaignani Ilayaraja, who also penned the lyrics for this song. Performed gracefully by veteran singer P. Susheela, the song draws heavily from classical Thirukkural and Sangam Tamil literary motifs comparing child speech to musical instruments.

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