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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anniyaval Thagathukku

From Manaivi · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manaivi1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pazhutha nilaverikkaAs the ripe moonlight shines brightly,
Pazhakuzhaiyum thaen vadikkaAs fruit mash drips with honey,
Suvaithu anubavikkaTo taste and experience it,
Thunaikiliyum illaiyadiMy companion parrot is not here, my friend.
Female
Anniyaval thaagathukku aarudhalaagaTo comfort the thirst of an outside woman,
Annanukku thangai vandhaal naadagamaadaIf a sister comes to act in a play for her brother,
Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyagumaDoes everything that happens in a play become real?
Sondha naayaganin uravillamal penmai vaazhumaCan womanhood truly live without the bond of her own husband?
Anniyaval thaagathukku aarudhalaagaTo comfort the thirst of an outside woman,
Annanukku thangai vandhaal naadagamaadaIf a sister comes to act in a play for her brother,
Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyagumaDoes everything that happens in a play become real?
Sondha naayaganin uravillamal penmai vaazhumaCan womanhood truly live without the bond of her own husband?
Female
Chinna chinna idhazh irandumBringing together two small lips,
Serthu vaithu thaeneduthuExtracting honey from them,
Unna konjamTo consume a little,
Anumadhithaal yaar thaduppaarWho will stop if permitted?
Chinna chinna idhazh irandumBringing together two small lips,
Serthu vaithu thaeneduthuExtracting honey from them,
Unna konjamTo consume a little,
Anumadhithaal yaar thaduppaarWho will stop if permitted?
Female
Pinni pinni kaaleduthuEntwining legs together step by step,
Pesi pesi kaadhalithuTalking and loving continuously,
Pennai konjiFondling a woman,
Pen anaithaal yaar rasippaarIf a woman embraces another woman, who will relish it?
Female
Anniyaval thaagathukku aarudhalaagaTo comfort the thirst of an outside woman,
Annanukku thangai vandhaal naadagamaadaIf a sister comes to act in a play for her brother,
Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyagumaDoes everything that happens in a play become real?
Sondha naayaganin uravillamal penmai vaazhumaCan womanhood truly live without the bond of her own husband?
Female
Thol irandai thol anaikkaEmbracing shoulder to shoulder,
Thogai manam maarbalakkaWhile the peacock-like mind blossoms across the chest,
Naam iruvar thanithirukkaWhen the two of us are alone together,
Naanathukku velaiyennaWhat purpose does shyness serve?
Thol irandai thol anaikkaEmbracing shoulder to shoulder,
Thogai manam maarbalakkaWhile the peacock-like mind blossoms across the chest,
Naam iruvar thanithirukkaWhen the two of us are alone together,
Naanathukku velaiyennaWhat purpose does shyness serve?
Female
Alappavar alandhu vittalOnce the one destined to measure finishes measuring,
Aasaiyangu mudinthuvidumDesire ends right there;
Aduthavar alakka vandhaalIf a stranger comes to measure instead,
Vaeli vandhu thaduthu vidumA protective fence will step in and block them.
Alappavar alandhu vittalOnce the one destined to measure finishes measuring,
Aasaiyangu mudinthuvidumDesire ends right there;
Aduthavar alakka vandhaalIf a stranger comes to measure instead,
Vaeli vandhu thaduthu vidumA protective fence will step in and block them.
Female
Anniyaval thaagathukku aarudhalaagaTo comfort the thirst of an outside woman,
Annanukku thangai vandhaal naadagamaadaIf a sister comes to act in a play for her brother,
Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyagumaDoes everything that happens in a play become real?
Sondha naayaganin uravillamal penmai vaazhumaCan womanhood truly live without the bond of her own husband?
Female
Vaanathilae pooparithuPlucking flowers from the sky,
Vannavanna naareduthuTaking colorful strings of fiber,
Maalai katti podattumaShall I weave a garland and put it on?
Manam pola aadattumaShall I dance as my heart desires?
Vaanathilae pooparithuPlucking flowers from the sky,
Vannavanna naareduthuTaking colorful strings of fiber,
Maalai katti podattumaShall I weave a garland and put it on?
Manam pola aadattumaShall I dance as my heart desires?
Female
Poduvadhum athanaiyumEverything that is placed on oneself,
Poomaalai aavadhillaiDoes not become a true flower garland;
Podubavar podum varaiUntil the rightful person garlands,
Poo vada poovadhillaiA flower does not bloom to wither away.
Poduvadhum athanaiyumEverything that is placed on oneself,
Poomaalai aavadhillaiDoes not become a true flower garland;
Podubavar podum varaiUntil the rightful person garlands,
Poo vada poovadhillaiA flower does not bloom to wither away.
Female
Anniyaval thaagathukku aarudhalaagaTo comfort the thirst of an outside woman,
Annanukku thangai vandhaal naadagamaadaIf a sister comes to act in a play for her brother,
Female
Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyagumaDoes everything that happens in a play become real?
Sondha naayaganin uravillamal penmai vaazhumaCan womanhood truly live without the bond of her own husband?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a philosophical and emotional dialogue between two women, examining romantic longing, societal expectations, and the nature of marital intimacy. One voice speaks enticingly of love, romantic freedom, and passion under the moonlight, while the second voice grounds the conversation in harsh reality, pointing out that substitute affection or staged romance ('acting in a drama') can never replace the true, sacred bond between a woman and her husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodaru (Repetitive Words for Emphasis)

Chinna chinna idhazh irandum

Repetition of short descriptive words like 'chinna chinna', 'pinni pinni', and 'pesi pesi' adds rhythmic cadence and heightens emotional emphasis.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thogai manam maarbalakka

'Thogai manam' compares the mind/heart of a woman to the spread tail of a peacock blooming with joy.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyaguma

The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questions such as 'Nadagathil varuvadhellam unmaiyaguma' to emphasize that forced or artificial affection lacks real emotional truth.

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Poduvadhum athanaiyum

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Poduvadhum athanaiyum / Poomaalai aavadhillai' creates melodic internal harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1969 film 'Manaivi', this song features a duet between P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, highlighting Kannadasan's mastery at contrasting sensual romantic temptation with traditional moral philosophy through lyrical debate.

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