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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chendu Malli Poopol

From Idhaya Malar · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
K. J. Yesudass, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Idhaya Malar1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Love allLove all
Female :Hoohoom love oneFemale: No, love one
Male
Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthuA beautiful ball like a cluster of jasmine flowers
Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthuA beautiful ball like a cluster of jasmine flowers
Sealvizhi aadattum kadhalil vanthuLet the carp-like eyes dance, coming into love
Love allLove all
Female
Love oneLove one
Endrum intha idhayam oruvanukkendruThat this heart belongs forever to just one man
Endrum intha idhayam oruvanukkendruThat this heart belongs forever to just one man
Iruppathai koorattum viraivinil sendruLet it go quickly and tell that it is so
Female
Endrum intha idhayam oruvanukkendruThat this heart belongs forever to just one man
Iruppathai koorattum viraivinil sendruLet it go quickly and tell that it is so
Male
Gangaiyin sangamam kadalodu kanndaenI saw the confluence of the Ganges river with the ocean
Mangaiyin sangamam paarththida vanthaenI came to witness the union of the maiden
Gangaiyin sangamam kadalodu kanndaenI saw the confluence of the Ganges river with the ocean
Mangaiyin sangamam paarththida vanthaenI came to witness the union of the maiden
Female
Karai vazhi selvathu gangaiyin perumaiFlowing within its banks is the pride of the Ganges
Murai vazhi selvathu mangaiyin peumaiFollowing the rightful tradition is the pride of a maiden
Karai vazhi selvathu gangaiyin perumaiFlowing within its banks is the pride of the Ganges
Murai vazhi selvathu mangaiyin peumaiFollowing the rightful tradition is the pride of a maiden
Male
Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthuA beautiful ball like a cluster of jasmine flowers
Sealvizhi aadattum kadhalil vanthuLet the carp-like eyes dance, coming into love
Female
Aayiram naadugal sendru vanthaalumEven if one travels through a thousand lands
Thaayaaga perumaiyai kaaththida vendumOne must uphold the dignity of motherhood and nation
Aayiram naadugal sendru vanthaalumEven if one travels through a thousand lands
Thaayaaga perumaiyai kaaththida vendumOne must uphold the dignity of motherhood and nation
Male
Kaadhalum thaayaga perumaiyil ondruLove too is one among the grand virtues like motherhood
Kaanattum adhaiyum ilamaiyil indruLet us behold that as well today in youth
Female
Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthuA beautiful ball like a cluster of jasmine flowers
Male :Sealvizhi aadattum kadhalil vanthuMale: Let the carp-like eyes dance, coming into love
Male
Manthiram sollum manavarai kolamThe wedding dais decorated with patterns where mantras are chanted
Manathinil thondrum ovvoru naalumAppears in the mind every single day
Female :Ennuvathellaam nerinil kaanumFemale: All that is envisioned will be witnessed in reality
Punniyam irunthaal adhu engu pogumIf good merit exists, where else can it go?
Male
Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthuA beautiful ball like a cluster of jasmine flowers
Love allLove all
Female :Love oneFemale: Love one
Male :Love allMale: Love all
Female :Love one love oneFemale: Love one

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Idhaya Malar' features a playful yet deeply philosophical dialogue between lovers centered around sports term 'Love all' vs traditional monogamous virtue 'Love one'. The male protagonist playfully teases with the tennis phrase 'Love all', while the female protagonist gently refutes it, affirming that her heart is reserved for 'Love one'—a single true love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Chendu malli poopol azhagiya panthu

Comparing a round jasmine flower cluster ('Chendu malli poo') to a sports ball ('panthu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam / Upamana)

Sealvizhi aadattum kadhalil vanthu

Describing eyes as fish/carp ('Sealvizhi') which is a classic Sangam literary imagery (Kayalvizhi).

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Gangaiyin sangamam kadalodu kanndaen / Mangaiyin sangamam paarththida vanthaen

Rhyming of 'Gangaiyin' and 'Mangaiyin' using matching second consonant sounds.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song brilliantly integrates tennis/table tennis scoring terms ('Love all') into a traditional romantic Tamil context, composed masterfully by M. S. Vishwanathan during a period when Western cultural motifs were gaining popularity in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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