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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbe Nee Ange

From Bommai Kalyanam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. M. Rajah, Jikki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Bommai Kalyanam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Anbae nee angaeMy love, if you are there
Naan ingae vaazhndhaaland I live here,
Inbam kaanbadhu engaewhere can we ever find happiness?
Anbae… ae…Oh my love...
Male
Undhan mangaadhaYour unfading,
Singaara roobambeautiful appearance,
Undhan mangaadhayour unfading,
Singaara roobambeautiful appearance,
Female
Endhan vaazhvellaamthroughout my entire life,
Oli veesum dheepamis a light-emitting lamp.
Vaazhvellaam oli veesum dheepamA lamp shedding light throughout my life.
Indru irul soozha yen seidhen paavamToday, what sin did I commit for darkness to envelop me?
Irul soozha yen seidhen paavamWhat sin did I commit for darkness to envelop me?
Naanum angae neeyum ingaeWith me over there and you over here,
Anbae… ae…Oh my love...
Female
Inba karai naadumSeeking the shore of joy,
Il vaazhvin odamthe boat of domestic life,
Thunba puyalaalaeby the storm of sorrow,
Alai modhi aadumis tossed and sways against the waves.
Male
Indha nilai maarumThis situation will change—
Naal endru koodumwhen will that day come?
Nilai maarum naal endru koodumWhen will the day come for this situation to change?
Ennum ninaivaalae kanneeril vaadumWasting away in tears with this thought,
Ninaivaalae kanneeril vaadumwasting away in tears with this thought.
Naanum angae neeyum ingaeWith me over there and you over here,
Anbae….Oh my love...
Female
Nee angae naan ingae vaazhndhaalIf you live there and I live here,
Inbam kaanbadhu engaewhere can we ever find happiness?
Anbae… ae…Oh my love...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This melancholic song captures the anguish of separation between two lovers. The speaker laments that physical distance deprives them of all happiness, turning their life into an empty place of sorrow. The beloved's memory is described as a radiant lamp that once brought light, making the current period of darkness feel like a punishment for an unknown past sin. Using the poignant metaphor of a boat caught in a fierce storm, the speaker compares their married life to a frail vessel tossed around by waves of grief, constantly longing and weeping for the day they will finally be reunited.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Edhirsol)

Anbae nee angae Naan ingae vaazhndhaal

Contrasting 'angae' (there) and 'ingae' (here) to emphasize physical separation and emotional distance.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Il vaazhvin odam

Comparing family life ('il vaazhvu') to a small boat ('odam') navigating troubled waters.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Inba karai naadum / Thunba puyalaalae

The second letters of 'Inba' and 'Thunba' rhyme with 'n', creating harmony across lines 16 and 18.

Rhetorical Question

Inbam kaanbadhu engae

The speaker asks 'where can we find happiness?' to highlight the impossibility of joy while separated.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bommai Kalyanam (1958) was directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy and starred Sivaji Ganesan, Jamuna, and Mynavathi. The music for the movie was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with poignant lyrics crafted by A. Maruthakasi. This song is a classic example of a 'viraha' (separation grief) track in golden-age Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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