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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athaan Kaditham

From Ninaipatharkku Neramillai · 1963

Lyricist
Thanjai Vaanan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ninaipatharkku Neramillai1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!
Female
Androru naal azhagudanaeOne day, in all my beauty,
Arugil nindren naanI stood close beside him.
Aasaiyudan anaikka vandhaalWhen he approached passionately to embrace me,
Aalai kaanomaamThe person was nowhere to be found, he says!
Androru naal azhagudanaeOne day, in all my beauty,
Arugil nindren naanI stood close beside him.
Aasaiyudan anaikka vandhaalWhen he approached passionately to embrace me,
Aalai kaanomaamThe person was nowhere to be found, he says!
Female
Innoru naal ennaiOn another day, he says,
Katti mutham ittaramHe embraced and kissed me tight,
Ezhundha pinnae kanavadhuvaaiOnly to wake up and realize
Irukka kandaaraamIt was all merely a dream!
Female
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!
Female
Neer nilaiyin nelivinilaeIn the delicate ripples of the water,
Ennai kandaaraamHe saw my reflection, he says.
Nerungiyadhil iranginaaloYet when he stepped down closer to touch it,
Kulirchi illaiyaamThere was no soothing coolness to be felt!
Neer nilaiyin nelivinilaeIn the delicate ripples of the water,
Ennai kandaaraamHe saw my reflection, he says.
Nerungiyadhil iranginaaloYet when he stepped down closer to touch it,
Kulirchi illaiyaamThere was no soothing coolness to be felt!
Female
Adhai viduthu nadantha bodhuWhen he turned away and walked,
Thodarnthu sendraenaamI followed right behind him, he says.
Aasaiyodu anbae endraalYet when he turned passionately calling 'My love!',
Yaarum illaiyaamThere was no one around at all!
Female
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!
Female
Irandu naal irukku endraeWith two days still remaining before we meet,
Yengi ilaikkindraarHe pines away in longing.
Enna thaan anbudanaeWith so much love,
Ennullae nirkkindraarHe dwells constantly inside me.
Irandu naal irukku endraeWith two days still remaining before we meet,
Yengi ilaikkindraarHe pines away in longing.
Enna thaan anbudanaeWith so much love,
Ennullae nirkkindraarHe dwells constantly inside me.
Female
Ennai pola adhirstasaaliWho could be more fortunate
Yaar irukkindraarIn this world than I am?
Endru vandhu kaanbaen endrePromising when he will arrive to see me,
Ezhuthi irukkindraarSo tenderly has he written to me!
Female
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!
Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthuMy beloved's letter is filled with words like fine pearls,
Ahaa en anbu malar kothu kothuAha, like a precious bouquet of loving flowers!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the joyful delight of a woman reading a love letter sent by her partner. She playfully narrates the experiences and dreams he described in his letter: how he imagined her presence beside him, dreamed of embracing her, saw her reflection in water, and mistook shadows for her presence during their separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Reduplication)

Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthu

The words 'muthu muthu' and 'kothu kothu' use repetition for poetic rhythm and visual imagery, comparing handwriting to pearls and love to flower clusters.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Androru naal azhagudanae

Repetition of the vowel sound 'A' across the lines ('Androru', 'Arugil', 'Aasaiyudan', 'Aalai').

Uvamaani (Simile/Metaphor)

Athan kaditham nalla muthu muthu

Comparing the lover's neat and precious handwriting to beautiful pearls ('muthu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1963 film 'Ninaipatharkku Neramillai', this romantic melody rendered by P. Susheela remains a timeless classic celebrating Tamil romantic epistolary tradition.

Keep listening

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