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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagiya Mithilai

From Annai · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Annai1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Azhagiya mithilai nagarinilaeIn the beautiful city of Mithila
Yaarukku jaanaki kaathirunthaalFor whom was Janaki waiting?
Female :Pazhagidum raaman varavai enniFemale: Thinking of the arrival of approachable Rama
Paathaiyai aval paarthirunthaalShe was watching the path
Paathaiyai aval paarthirunthaalShe was watching the path
Male
Azhagiya mithilai nagarinilaeIn the beautiful city of Mithila
Yaarukku jaanaki kaathirunthaalFor whom was Janaki waiting?
Female :Pazhagidum raaman varavai enniFemale: Thinking of the arrival of approachable Rama
Paathaiyai aval paarthirunthaalShe was watching the path
Paathaiyai aval paarthirunthaalShe was watching the path
Female
Kaaviya kannagi idhayathilaeIn the heart of the epic heroine Kannagi
Aaaa..aaa…..aaa….aaa…aa…Aaaa..aaa.....aaa....aaa...aa...
Kaaviya kannagi idhayathilaeIn the heart of the epic heroine Kannagi
Kaninthavar yaar ilam paruvathilaeWho was the one who captured her heart in her youth?
Male
Kovalan enbathai oor ariyumThe whole town knows it was Kovalan
Kovalan enbathai oor ariyumThe whole town knows it was Kovalan
Siru kuzhanthaigalum avan per ariyumEven small children know his name
Male
Paruvathu pengal thanithu irunthaalIf young women are alone
Aaaha..oho …Female :HohooAaaha..oho ...Female: Hohoo
Male :Haa.haa…aaa….Male: Haa.haa...aaa....
Paruvathu pengal thanithu irunthaalIf young women are alone
Paarpavar manathil enna varumWhat thought arises in the minds of onlookers?
Female
Ilaiyavar endraal aasai varumIf the onlooker is young, desire arises
Ilaiyavar endraal aasai varumIf the onlooker is young, desire arises
Mudhiyavar endraal paasam varumIf the onlooker is old, paternal affection arises
Mudhiyavar endraal paasam varumIf the onlooker is old, paternal affection arises
Female
Oruvarai oruvar unarnthu kondaalWhen two people understand each other
Male :Ullathai nandraai purinthu kondaalMale: When they deeply understand each other's heart
Female :Iruvar enbathu maari vidumFemale: The feeling of being two separate beings changes
Iruvar enbathu maari vidumThe feeling of being two separate beings changes
Both :Irandum ondraai kalanthu vidumBoth: Both merge together as one

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet from the 1962 film 'Annai' uses rich literary and epic allusions to explore love, human perception, and emotional union. The lyrics draw parallels to Sita waiting for Rama in Mithila from the Ramayana and Kannagi's devotion to Kovalan from the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, framing romantic devotion as timeless.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Uvamai)

Azhagiya mithilai nagarinilae / Kaaviya kannagi idhayathilae

Refers to classical mythological and literary epics—Sita's wait for Rama in Ramayana and Kannagi's love for Kovalan in Silappatikaram—to highlight deep devotion.

Contrast / Antithesis (Maranpatta Porul)

Ilaiyavar endraal aasai varum / Mudhiyavar endraal paasam varum

Contrasts how young vs old onlookers perceive a woman: youth brings romance/desire while old age brings parental affection.

Emoni / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ilaiyavar endraal aasai varum

Use of matching end rhymes across consecutive lines ('aasai varum' / 'paasam varum') to enhance musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Annai' (1962) was scored by R. Sudarsanam and produced by AVM Productions. This iconic duet was rendered by P. B. Sreenivas and P. Susheela, featuring Kannadasan's celebrated philosophical lyrics.

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