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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbe Un Per

From Idhaya Malar · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Idhaya Malar
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
18 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Female :Manmathan sonnathu
Male :Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Female :Pongiyae vanthathu
Male :Kannae un sollenna amutho
Female :Senthamizh thanthathu
Male :Kaanatha kolangal edhuvo
Female :Kaaviyam solvathu
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Female :Manmathan sonnathu
Male :Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Female :Pongiyae vanthathu
Ponmaalai neraththil sabai koodalaam
Poomaeni mandraththil kavi paadalaam
Ponmaalai neraththil sabai koodalaam
Poomaeni mandraththil kavi paadalaam
Un paadal santhangal idhazh sollumo
Ooyamal kettaalum sugam allavo
Un paadal santhangal idhazh sollumo
Ooyamal kettaalum sugam allavo
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Female :Manmathan sonnathu
Male :Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Female :Pongiyae vanthathu
Aattrodu vellaththai anai podalaam
Anbaana ullaththai thadai podavaa
Aattrodu vellaththai anai podalaam
Anbaana ullaththai thadai podavaa
: Kaattrodu melaadai pagai aanatho
Kai kondu naan mella thirai podavo
Kaattrodu melaadai pagai aanatho
Kai kondu naan mella thirai podavo
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Female :Manmathan sonnathu
Male :Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Female :Pongiyae vanthathu
Kann konda vannaththai idhazh kondathu
Female :Kannodu than vannam adhu thanthathu
Male :Penn konda nanangal suvaiyallavaa
Female :Pesamal mounaththil kadhai sollavaa
Anbae un per enna rathiyo
Female :Manmathan sonnathu
Male :Anantha neeraadum nadhiyo
Female :Pongiyae vanthathu
Male :Kannae un sollenna amutho
Female :Senthamizh thanthathu
Male :Kaanatha kolangal edhuvo
Female :Kaaviyam solvathu
My love, is your name Rathi (goddess of beauty)?
Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
My love, is your name Rathi?
Female: Manmathan (god of love) named me so.
Male: Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
Female: Overflowing with joy.
Male: My darling, are your words sweet nectar?
Female: Pure Tamil gifted them to me.
Male: What are these unseen forms of beauty?
Female: The ones described in poetry.
My love, is your name Rathi?
Female: Manmathan named me so.
Male: Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
Female: Overflowing with joy.
In the golden evening, our court can gather.
In the hall of your flower-like body, poems can be sung.
In the golden evening, our court can gather.
In the hall of your flower-like body, poems can be sung.
Will your lips sing the rhythms of that song?
Isn't it pure joy to listen endlessly?
Will your lips sing the rhythms of that song?
Isn't it pure joy to listen endlessly?
My love, is your name Rathi?
Female: Manmathan named me so.
Male: Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
Female: Overflowing with joy.
A dam can hold back a river's flood.
Can anyone place a barrier on a loving heart?
A dam can hold back a river's flood.
Can anyone place a barrier on a loving heart?
Has your garment become an enemy to the wind?
Shall I gently draw a veil with my hands?
Has your garment become an enemy to the wind?
Shall I gently draw a veil with my hands?
My love, is your name Rathi?
Female: Manmathan named me so.
Male: Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
Female: Overflowing with joy.
Your lips have caught the charm of your eyes.
Female: They have shared their own glow with the eyes.
Male: Isn't a woman's shyness a sweet delight?
Female: Shall I tell a story in silence without speaking?
My love, is your name Rathi?
Female: Manmathan named me so.
Male: Or are you a river bathing in bliss?
Female: Overflowing with joy.
Male: My darling, are your words sweet nectar?
Female: Pure Tamil gifted them to me.
Male: What are these unseen forms of beauty?
Female: The ones described in poetry.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a classical romantic duet from the film 'Idhaya Malar' (1976), featuring an intricate call-and-response lyric structure between the male and female leads. The male protagonist praises the heroine's beauty, comparing her to Rathi (the goddess of love) and comparing her speech to sweet nectar and classical Tamil poetry. The female lead playfully completes his sentences, affirming that their romance is decreed by Cupid (Manmatha) and described in ancient epics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poomaeni mandraththil kavi paadalaam

Compares the heroine's delicate physique to a blossom ('Poomaeni') and a royal court ('mandram') where poetry is recited.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aattrodu vellaththai anai podalaam / Anbaana ullaththai thadai podavaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Aa' ('Aattrodu' / 'Anbaana') creating a melodic rhythmic cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Anbaana ullaththai thadai podavaa

Asking whether a loving heart can ever be restricted or dammed like a river, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Pulamaipithan, 'Anbae Un Per Enna Rathiyo' stands out for its unique conversational structure where the female singer completes the half-lines posed by the male singer. The song showcases the vocal harmony of P. Jayachandran and Vani Jayaram.

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