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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anarkali

From Kangalal Kaithu Sei · 2003

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singers
Karthik, Chitra Sivaraman, Kadhir, Murtuza
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kangalal Kaithu Sei2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Gari risa sa ni sa sa ni sasasaMusical notes (Ga Re Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Gari risa sa ni sa sa ni sasasaMusical notes (Ga Re Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Ni sa sa ni sasasa………………………Musical notes (Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)
Male
Anarkali anarkaliAnarkali, Anarkali!
Aagaayam nee boologam neeYou are the sky, you are the earth!
Ulagathilae miga perumIn the entire world, the greatest
Poovum neeyadiflower is you, my dear!
Nadhigalilae sanjira nadhiyumAmong rivers, the wandering river
Neeyadiis you, my dear!
Sthambithenadi un kangalaalI stood stunned by your eyes, my dear
Swaasithenadi un paarvaiyaalI breathed through your gaze, my dear
Female
Anarkali anarkaliAnarkali, Anarkali!
Aagaayam nee boologam neeYou are the sky, you are the earth!
Sirippum azhugaiyum serum pulliyilAt the intersection where laughter and tears meet
Ennai tholaithenI lost myself
Isaiyum kavidhaiyum serum pulliyilAt the intersection where music and poetry meet
Kandu pidithenI found myself
Kadal kaatru nee naan paai maramYou are the sea breeze, I am the sail tree
Nadhi kaatru nee naan thaavaramYou are the river breeze, I am the vegetation
Female
Anarkali anarkaliAnarkali, Anarkali!
Aagaayam nee boologam neeYou are the sky, you are the earth!
Female
Iyandhira manidhanai polLike a mechanical human being
Unnaiyum seivenaeWill I mold you as well?
Iru vizhi paarvaigalaalWith the glance of two eyes
Unnaiyum asaippenaeWill I move you as well?
Male
Azhagikku ellaamFor every beautiful woman
Thimir adhigamPride is abundant
Azhagiyin thimiril rusi adhigamIn a beauty's pride, the delight is abundant
Adhai indru naanaeThat very quality today
Unnidam kandenI have seen in you
Female
KavignanukkellaamFor every poet
Kurumbu adhigamMischief is abundant
Kavignanin kurumbilIn a poet's mischief
Suvai adhigamThe sweetness is abundant
Adhai indru naanaeThat very quality today
Unnidam kandenI have seen in you
Male
Nadai nadandhu pogaiyilAs you walk gracefully
Neela kadal neeYou are the blue sea
Naanam kondu paarkaiyilWhen you look with bashfulness
Nee ilakkiyamaeYou are classical literature!
Male
Anarkali anarkaliAnarkali, Anarkali!
Aagaayam nee boologam neeYou are the sky, you are the earth!
Female :Sirippum azhugaiyumFemale: At the intersection where laughter and tears
Serum pulliyilmeet together
Ennai tholaithenI lost myself
Isaiyum kavidhaiyum serum pulliyilAt the intersection where music and poetry meet
Kandu pidithenI found myself
Male :Sthambithenadi un kangalaalMale: I stood stunned by your eyes, my dear
Swaasithenadi un paarvaiyaalI breathed through your gaze, my dear
Chorus
……………………………………Musical interlude
Female
Narumanam enbadharkuFor fragrance
Mugavari pookkal dhaanaeFlowers are the address
En manam enbadharkuFor my heart
Mugavari needhaanaeYou alone are the address
Male
Ennidam thondrumFor all the poetry
Kavidhaikkellaamthat arises within me
Mudhalvari thandha mugavari neeYou are the address that gave the first line
Irudhayam sollum mugavari needhaanYou are the address that my heart speaks
Female
Iravugal thondrumFor all the dreams
Kanavukellaamthat appear during nights
Iruppidam thandha mugavari neeYou are the address that gave a dwelling
Ennidam serum mugavari needhaanYou are the address that reaches me
Male
Mazhai thulikku megamaeFor a raindrop, the cloud is
Mudhal mugavarithe primary address
Un idhazhil mounamaeIs the silence on your lips
Uyir mugavariyoo….ooo…the true address of life?
Female
Anarkali anarkaliAnarkali, Anarkali!
Male :Aagaayam nee boologam neeMale: You are the sky, you are the earth!
Female :Sirippum azhugaiyumFemale: At the intersection where laughter and tears
Serum pulliyilmeet together
Ennai tholaithenI lost myself
Isaiyum kavidhaiyum serum pulliyilAt the intersection where music and poetry meet
Kandu pidithenI found myself
Male :Sthambithenadi un kangalaalMale: I stood stunned by your eyes, my dear
Swaasithenadi un paarvaiyaalI breathed through your gaze, my dear
Male
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Gari risa sa ni sa sa ni sasasaMusical notes (Ga Re Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Gari risa sa ni sa sa ni sasasaMusical notes (Ga Re Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)
Gari risa gari risaa………….Musical notes (Ga Re Sa Ga Re Sa)
Ni sa sa ni sasasa………………………Musical notes (Ni Sa Sa Ni Sa Sa Sa)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Anarkali' from the movie 'Kangalal Kaithu Sei' is a romantic duet that expresses the depth of love through vivid literary and natural imagery. The male protagonist compares his beloved to the sky, earth, rivers, and fine poetry, declaring that her gaze has stilled his world and given life to his thoughts. She is portrayed as his ultimate destination and source of inspiration. As the song progresses, both lovers explore the duality of human emotions, finding harmony where laughter meets tears and music meets poetry. Using the metaphor of an 'address' (Mugavari), the lyrics convey that just as flowers are the home of fragrance and clouds are the origin of rain, the beloved is the true origin and purpose of every dream and heartbeat.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Aagaayam nee boologam nee

Directly equates the beloved to natural elements and art, such as 'Aagaayam nee boologam nee' (You are the sky, you are the earth) and 'Nee ilakkiyamae' (You are literature).

Anaphora / Repetition (Mugavari Metaphor)

Mudhalvari thandha mugavari nee

The word 'Mugavari' (Address/Identity) is repeatedly used across multiple lines to build a motif of origin, belonging, and emotional home.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Sirippum azhugaiyum serum pulliyil

Pairs opposing concepts like laughter (Sirippu) and tears (Azhugai) to illustrate emotional synthesis in love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Anarkali' was composed by A. R. Rahman for the 2004 film 'Kangalal Kaithu Sei', directed by legendary filmmaker Bharathiraja. Sung by Srinivas and Sujatha Mohan, the track features distinct classical solkattu/swara passages integrated into a contemporary pop melody.

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