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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbulla Athaan Vanakkam

From Kairasi · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Kairasi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Ungal aayulaikondaal mayakkamContemplating your lifetime brings a sweet dizziness.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Ungal aayulaikondaal mayakkamContemplating your lifetime brings a sweet dizziness.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Female
Thennavar kaiyirukkumIt is like the sacred sword...
Thiruvaalai polirukkumheld in the hand of the Southern King (Pandya).
Thennavar kaiyirukkumIt is like the sacred sword...
Thiruvaalai polirukkumheld in the hand of the Southern King (Pandya).
Kannirundhum illai urakkamThough I have eyes, there is no sleep.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Female
Maalaipozhuthu vandhuWhen the evening arrives...
Padaipola kollumit slays me like an army.
Maalaipozhuthu vandhuWhen the evening arrives...
Padaipola kollumit slays me like an army.
Varuvaar varuvaar endraIt brings the message...
Saeidhiyai sollumsaying that he will come, he will come.
Female
Aalilai pondra udal aasaiyil thullumMy body, like a banyan leaf, quivers with longing.
Aalilai pondra udal aasaiyil thullumMy body, like a banyan leaf, quivers with longing.
Andhiyilae iyarkai ennaiyum vellumIn the twilight, nature conquers even me.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Female
{Paruvam niraindhirundhumDespite being in full bloom of youth,
Enakkenna sugamaewhat joy do I truly possess?
Parugum idhazhirandumWhat is the use of having a pair of sip-worthy lips,
Irundhenna payanae} (2)if they remain untasted?
Female
Karangal irandhirundhumThough I have two hands,
Anaippadharkillaithere is no one here to embrace.
Kannaa ini naan poruppadharkillaiOh my Lord, I cannot endure this patience any longer!
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Ungal aayulaikondaal mayakkamContemplating your lifetime brings a sweet dizziness.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Female
Pon manimegalaiThe golden waist-belt...
Bhoomiyil veezhumfalls to the ground.
Pulambum silambirandumThe pair of wailing anklets...
Ennai vittu odumrun away from me.
Kaivalai sorndhu vizhumThe bangles slip off my wrists and fall,
Kangalum moodumand my eyes close in weariness.
Kaanbavar ungalaithaanThose who witness this...
Pazhi solla naerumwill end up blaming you!
Kaanbavar ungalaithaanThose who witness this...
Pazhi solla naerumwill end up blaming you!
Female
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.
Thirumanam aagumun vendaam kuzhappamBefore marriage, let us avoid any turmoil or confusion.
Anbulla aththaan vanakkamGreetings, my beloved cousin.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Anbulla Aththaan Vanakkam' from the movie Kairasi (1960) is structured as an affectionate letter sung by a young woman longing for her beloved fiancé/cousin (aththaan). She describes the agony of separation, where dusk descends upon her like a hostile army, intensifying her romantic longing. Though she is in her prime, her youthful beauty feels unfulfilled without his love and embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Maalaipozhuthu vandhu Padaipola kollum

Compares evening loneliness ('Maalaipozhuthu') to a slaying army ('Padaipola kollum').

Simile (Uvamai)

Aalilai pondra udal aasaiyil thullum

Compares her tender, trembling body to a banyan leaf ('Aalilai pondra udal').

Personification

Pulambum silambirandum Ennai vittu odum

Attributes human grief/wailing ('Pulambum') to jingling anklets slipping off.

Alliteration (Monai)

Paruvam niraindhirundhum / Parugum idhazhirandum

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Pa' across rhyming lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kairasi (1960) featured Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in leading roles. The music was composed by R. Goverdhanam, with lyrics written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan and vocals rendered by P. Susheela.

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