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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbe Nee Enna

From Pandiyan · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pandiyan1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Anbae nee yenna andha kannano mannanoMy love, are you that Lord Krishna or a king?
Thendral thaer meedhu vandha kaamano kalvano} (2)Are you Cupid who arrived on a chariot of southern breeze, or a thief?
Kangal kavarndhu nirkum vin aalum indhiranoAre you Lord Indra ruling the heavens who captivates the eyes?
Pengal manam mayangum ponnaana chandhiranoAre you the golden moon who enchants the hearts of women?
Sandham konjum sangha thamizh paandiyanoAre you the Pandiyan king of Sangam Tamil, lisping sweet rhythm?
Female
Anbae nee yenna andha kannano mannanoMy love, are you that Lord Krishna or a king?
Thendral thaer meedhu vandha kaamano kalvanoAre you Cupid who arrived on a chariot of southern breeze, or a thief?
Female
Vanji penn aasai kollum kattazhagaaOh handsome man whom young women desire!
Vaigai neeraada vandha kallazhagaaOh Lord Kallazhagar who arrived to bathe in the Vaigai river!
Thaekkaalae sirppi seidha tholazhagaaOh one with beautiful shoulders carved out of teak wood by a sculptor!
Thogaikku mogham thandha aalazhagaaOh handsome man who gave passion to this peacock-like girl!
Female
Neengaamal iruppen nee dhaan anaithaalI will stay inseparable if you embrace me.
Naanaamal koduppen thaen dhaan yeduthaalI will offer without shyness if you gather the honey.
Aasai perugudhaiyaa idaiyinil aadai nazhuvudhaiyaaDesire swells, my love, and the garment slips from my waist!
Meni urugudhaiyaa manadhinilMy body melts, my love, in my heart...
Mogham valarudhaiyaa…Passion continues to grow...
Female
Anbae nee yenna andha kannano mannanoMy love, are you that Lord Krishna or a king?
Thendral thaer meedhu vandha kaamano kalvanoAre you Cupid who arrived on a chariot of southern breeze, or a thief?
Kangal kavarndhu nirkum vin aalum indhiranoAre you Lord Indra ruling the heavens who captivates the eyes?
Pengal manam mayangum ponnaana chandhiranoAre you the golden moon who enchants the hearts of women?
Sandham konjum sangha thamizh paandiyanoAre you the Pandiyan king of Sangam Tamil, lisping sweet rhythm?
Female
: Anbae nee yenna andha kannano mannanoMy love, are you that Lord Krishna or a king?
Thendral thaer meedhu vandha kaamano kalvanoAre you Cupid who arrived on a chariot of southern breeze, or a thief?
Female
Ammaadi pottadhenna sokku podiOh my, what mesmerising powder did you cast on me?
Yen aagum paavam indha chinna kodiWhat will become of this poor delicate creeper of a girl?
Ponnaana kaiyai konjam thottu pidiHold my golden hand gently with yours.
Singaara raagam vaithu mettu padiSing a melody composed in a beautiful romantic raga.
Female
:Thaalaadha mayakkam thondrum yenakkuAn unbearable intoxication arises within me.
Naan konda yedhaiyum thandhen unakkuI have given everything I possessed to you.
Paavai udhadugalil unakkena paalum vadigiradhuMilk drips from the lady's lips for you.
Kaadhal ninaivugalil kulir tharum kaatrum sudugiradhuIn romantic thoughts, even the cool breeze feels warm and burning.
Male
Anbae nee yenna andha raadhaiyo kodhaiyoMy love, are you that Radha or Kodhai?
Mannan neeraada vandha vaigaiyo poigaiyoAre you the Vaigai river or a lake where the king comes to bathe?
Kangal kavarndhu nirkum kannaana kanmaniyoAre you the precious darling who captivates the eyes?
Kaalai manam mayangum ponnaana penmaniyoAre you the golden lady who intoxicates the man's heart?
Sandham konjum sangha thamizh paingiliyoAre you the green parrot of Sangam Tamil overflowing with rhythm?
Male
{Anbae nee yenna andha raadhaiyo kodhaiyoMy love, are you that Radha or Kodhai?
Mannan neeraada vandha vaigaiyo poigaiyo} (2)Are you the Vaigai river or a lake where the king comes to bathe?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Anbae Nee Yenna' is a romantic duet from the 1992 Tamil film Pandiyan. The lyrics, penned by Vaali, express intense romantic adoration and poetic admiration between lovers. The female lead compares her beloved to classical divine and royal figures such as Lord Krishna, Lord Indra, Cupid (Kaaman), Kallazhagar, and Pandiyan kings of ancient Sangam Tamil heritage. In response, the male lead compares her beauty to mythological figures like Radha, Kodhai (Andal), and pristine rivers like Vaigai. The song captures the overwhelming passion, playful flirtations, and emotional intimacy shared by the couple through rich imagery of nature, Tamil literature, and classical lore.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Simile & Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Anbae nee yenna andha kannano mannano

Compares the lover to divine and poetic figures like Krishna, Kaaman, Indra, and Kallazhagar to accentuate his grandeur and charm.

Edhukai (எதுகை - Second letter rhyming)

Pengal manam mayangum ponnaana chandhirano

The second consonant 'n' (ன்/ண்) rhymes across lines (Kannano / Thendral / Kangal / Pengal / Sandham).

Oxymoron (முரண் நவிற்சி)

Kaadhal ninaivugalil kulir tharum kaatrum sudugiradhu

'Kulir tharum kaatrum sudugiradhu' describes the cool breeze feeling hot due to the heat of romantic longing.

Uruvagathirukku Uruvagam (Metaphorical Imagery)

Yen aagum paavam indha chinna kodi

Describing the heroine's arms/body as a delicate creeper ('chinna kodi') and her hands as golden ('ponnaana kai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pandiyan' (1992) starred Superstar Rajinikanth and Khushbu, directed by S. P. Muthuraman. The song features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra. Vaali's lyrics famously blend classical Tamil literary tropes (Sangam Tamil, Vaigai river, Kodhai) with lighthearted romantic expression.

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