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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbu Nadamadum

From Avandhan Manidhan · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Avandhan Manidhan1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anbu nadamaadum kalai koodamaeAn art gallery where love walks,
Aasai mazhai megamaeA raincloud of desires,
Kannil vilaiyaadum ezhil vannamaeA beautiful hue playing in the eyes,
Kanni thamizh mandramaeA pristine assembly of Tamil,
Female
Anbu nadamaadum kalai koodamaeAn art gallery where love walks,
Aasai mazhai megamaeA raincloud of desires,
Kannil vilaiyaadum ezhil vannamaeA beautiful hue playing in the eyes,
Kanni thamizh mandramaeA pristine assembly of Tamil,
Male
Maadhavi kodi poovin idhazhoramaeAt the edge of the petals of the Madhavi creeper flower,
Mayakkum madhu chaaramae… ae…An intoxicating sweet nectar,
Maadhavi kodi poovin idhazhoramaeAt the edge of the petals of the Madhavi creeper flower,
Mayakkum madhu chaaramaeAn intoxicating sweet nectar,
Male
Manjal veyil polumLike the golden evening sunlight,
Malar vanna mugamaeA flower-colored face,
Mannar kula thangamaeThe gold of royal lineage,
Pachai malai thottam maniyaaramaeA gemstone necklace of green mountain gardens,
Paadum pudhu raagamaeA new melody that sings,
Male
Anbu nadamaadum kalai koodamaeAn art gallery where love walks,
Aasai mazhai megamaeA raincloud of desires,
Female :Kannil vilaiyaadum ezhil vannamaeFemale: A beautiful hue playing in the eyes,
Kanni thamizh mandramaeA pristine assembly of Tamil,
Female
Vellalai kadalaadum ponnodamaeA golden boat dancing on white sea waves,
Vilakkin oli vellamae… ae…A flood of light from a lamp,
Vellalai kadalaadum ponnodamaeA golden boat dancing on white sea waves,
Vilakkin oli vellamaeA flood of light from a lamp,
Sellum idam thorumEverywhere you go,
Pugazh saerkkum thavamaeA penance that brings glory,
Thennar kula mannanaeO king of the southern lineage,
Male
Indru kavi paadum en selvamaeMy treasure about whom poetry is sung today,
Endrum en dheivamaeMy deity forever,
Male
Maanilam ellaamum nam illamaeThe entire world is our home,
Makkal nam sondhamaeAll people are our relatives,
Female
Kaanum nilamengumIn every land that is seen,
Thamizh paadum manamaeO mind that sings in Tamil,
Ulagam namadhaagumaeThe world will become ours,
Male
Andru kavi vaendhanJust as the king of poets said back then,
Sol vannamaeIn colorful words,
Yaavum uravaagumaeAll will become our kin,
Male
Anbu nadamaadum kalai koodamaeAn art gallery where love walks,
Aasai mazhai megamaeA raincloud of desires,
Female :Kannil vilaiyaadum ezhil vannamaeFemale: A beautiful hue playing in the eyes,
Kanni thamizh mandramaeA pristine assembly of Tamil.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Avandhan Manidhan' (1975) is a classic romantic duet that celebrates love, grace, and human unity through rich classical Tamil metaphors. The lovers admire each other's beauty, comparing their beloved to golden boats on sea waves, delicate flowers, and art halls where affection dances. Beyond personal romance, the song expands into broader humanist themes, reflecting Kannadasan's signature philosophy: the entire earth is our home ('Maanilam ellaamum nam illamae') and all human beings are kin ('Makkal nam sondhamae'), invoking ancient Tamil philosophy such as Kaniyan Pungundranar's 'Yadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir'.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Anbu nadamaadum kalai koodamae / Kanni thamizh mandramae

Compares the beloved's grace and affection to a living art hall, a rain-bearing cloud, and a pristine Tamil assembly.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maadhavi kodi poovin idhazhoramae / Mayakkum madhu chaaramae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ma') creating musical rhythm.

Visual Imagery

Vellalai kadalaadum ponnodamae

Paints vivid natural pictures of golden sunlight, mountain gardens, and golden boats on white waves.

Philosophical Allusion

Maanilam ellaamum nam illamae / Makkal nam sondhamae

Alludes to Sangam era philosophy ('Yadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir') declaring all humanity as one family.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this song is featured in Sivaji Ganesan's milestone 175th film 'Avandhan Manidhan' (1975), co-starring Jayalalithaa. Lyricist Kannadasan brilliantly woven ancient Sangam Tamil universalism into a commercial film duet.

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