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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagai Paada Vanthen

From Porsilai · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Porsilai1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Azhagai paada vanthaenI came to sing of beauty,
Thamizhil vaarthai illaiBut there are no words in Tamil.
Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamThe kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamThe kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Azhagai paada vanthaenI came to sing of beauty.
Male
Sediyil aadum oru rojaA rose dancing on a plant,
Adhu saelai kattavillaiIt does not wear a saree.
Kilaiyil aadi varum kanigalFruits swaying on a branch,
Avai naanam kollavillai…!They do not feel shy...!
Male
Sediyil aadum oru rojaA rose dancing on a plant,
Adhu saelai kattavillaiIt does not wear a saree.
Kilaiyil aadi varum kanigalFruits swaying on a branch,
Avai naanam kollavillai…!They do not feel shy...!
Female
Aatru neerai kaatru moadhumThe wind strikes the river water,
Aasai pennai kaadhal moadhumLove strikes a passionate woman.
Aatru neerai kaatru moadhumThe wind strikes the river water,
Aasai pennai kaadhal moadhumLove strikes a passionate woman.
Kaattrai pola kaadhal seidhaalIf love is made like the wind,
Enna inbamoa anga enna vannamoWhat joy there is, what colors there are!
Female
Azhagai paada vanthaenI came to sing of beauty,
Thamizhil vaarthai illaiBut there are no words in Tamil.
Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamThe kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamThe kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Azhagai paada vanthaenI came to sing of beauty.
Female
Sivandha pooviloru manjamA bed within a red flower,
Adhai theadum kannirennduTwo eyes searching for it,
Kalandhu paarka manam konjumThe heart pleads to merge and see,
Tharavaendum nall virundhuA grand feast must be served.
Female
Sivandha pooviloru manjamA bed within a red flower,
Adhai theadum kannirennduTwo eyes searching for it,
Kalandhu paarka manam konjumThe heart pleads to merge and see,
Tharavaendum nall virundhuA grand feast must be served.
Male
Aasai thoattam vanna pandhuA garden of desires, a colorful ball,
Vaasal theadi aadu vandhuA goat came searching for the doorstep,
Saerndhu paadum kaadhal sindhuTogether they sing a love ballad,
Engu poagumoa angae enna vaegamoWhere will it go, what speed will be there!
Male
Azhagai paada vanthenI came to sing of beauty,
Female :Thamizhil vaarthai illaiFemale: But there are no words in Tamil.
Male :Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamMale: The kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Female :Nenjil nee sindhum mutthamFemale: The kiss you spill upon my heart
En ninaivin mutthiraiIs the seal upon my memory.
Chorus
Azhagai paada vanthaenI came to sing of beauty.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet explores the ecstasy and wordlessness of true love. The singer expresses that even the rich Tamil language lacks adequate words to capture the lover's beauty. Nature metaphors—a rose without a saree, uninhibited fruits on a branch, and wind striking river waters—are woven throughout to portray natural, uninhibited passion and intimacy. The song captures the longing, tender kisses, and joyous union of two lovers whose romance feels as wild and boundless as nature itself. Written by Kannadasan and set to tune by R. Govarthanam, it remains a celebrated romantic classic.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Sediyil aadum oru roja / Adhu saelai kattavillai... Aatru neerai kaatru moadhum / Aasai pennai kaadhal moadhum Methodical repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words or lines. Example: 'Aatru' and 'Aasai' share initial vowel sounds.

Edukku (Rhyme)

Aatru neerai kaatru moadhum / Aasai pennai kaadhal moadhum

Repetition of second letter consonants across lines, e.g., 'Sediyil' and 'Kilaiyil', or 'Aatru' and 'Aasai'.

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Nenjil nee sindhum muttham / En ninaivin mutthirai

Comparing love's impact on a woman to wind stirring river water, and kisses to an indelible seal on memory.

Personification

Kilaiyil aadi varum kanigal / Avai naanam kollavillai…!

Attributing human feelings like shyness or modesty to roses and fruits on trees.

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Trivia

'Porsilai' (1969) features music by R. Govarthanam, a talented composer who worked extensively with major Tamil film music directors of the era. Lyricist Kannadasan famously highlights the boundless nature of poetic expression by paradoxically stating that Tamil lacks the words to describe true beauty.

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