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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnan Chiru Magalai

From Aasai Alaigal · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Aasai Alaigal1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnajiru magalaiThe young little daughter
Siriththu vantha poo magalaiThe flower-like girl who came smiling
Thannanthani vazhiyaeOn a completely solitary path
Thavikka vittu sendraayae….You left her stranded and went away...
Female
Chinnajiru magalaiThe young little daughter
Siriththu vantha poo magalaiThe flower-like girl who came smiling
Thannanthani vazhiyaeOn a completely solitary path
Thavikka vittu sendraayae…..You left her stranded and went away...
Female
Chinnajiru magalaiThe young little daughter
Siriththu vantha poo magalai….The flower-like girl who came smiling...
Female
{Aiyyaa un vaasalilae{Sir, at your doorstep
Adiyeduththa naal mudhalaaiFrom the day she stepped foot
Kaiyodu vaiththirunthaaiYou held her close by your hands
Kangal endru kaaththirunthaai} (2)You guarded her like your very eyes} (2)
Female
Paaleduththu koduththirunthaalShe poured and offered milk
Pazhameduththu ootti vaiththaalShe fed you fruits with her own hands
Paaleduththu koduththirunthaalShe poured and offered milk
Pazhameduththu ootti vaiththaalShe fed you fruits with her own hands
Female
Poo mudiththa karangalilaeIn her flower-adorned hands
Pon mugaththai pudhaiththu vaiththaalShe buried her golden face
Poo mudiththa karangalilaeIn her flower-adorned hands
Pon mugaththai pudhaiththu vaiththaalShe buried her golden face
Female
Aasai alaigalilaeIn the waves of desire
Avaludan neenthi vanthaaiYou swam along with her
Aasai alaigalilaeIn the waves of desire
Avaludan neenthi vanthaaiYou swam along with her
Paadhi varai vantha aiyyaaSir who accompanied her halfway
Meedhi vazhi maranthu vittaaiYou forgot the rest of the journey
Female
Thaayaarai uranga vittuPutting the mother to sleep
Thanaththai nee thottilittuPlacing the baby in the cradle
Thaayaarai uranga vittuPutting the mother to sleep
Thanaththai nee thottilittuPlacing the baby in the cradle
Female
Vaayaara pugazhvathellaamAll the hearty praise you showered
Mayakkaththil kettiruppaalShe would have heard in her swoon
Vaayaara pugazhvathellaamAll the hearty praise you showered
Mayakkaththil kettiruppaalShe would have heard in her swoon
Female
Neengalaa endrezhuvaalShe will wake up asking 'Is it you?'
Nerungi vanthu nindru kolvaalShe will draw near and stand close
Neengalaa endrezhuvaalShe will wake up asking 'Is it you?'
Nerungi vanthu nindru kolvaalShe will draw near and stand close
Thoongungal endru solvaalShe will say 'Please sleep'
Thottilukuththaan nadappaalAnd then walk towards the cradle
Female
Heehmm heehmm heehmmHeehmm heehmm heehmm
Female
Ponnaasai kollavillaiShe harbored no desire for gold
Porulaasai padavumillaiShe did not crave material wealth
Poovaasai vaiththirunthaalShe only held desire for a flower
Poovai nee pariththaayaaDid you pluck that flower away?
Female
Engae nee marainthaalumWherever you may hide
Entha vazhii sendraalumWhatever path you may travel
Angellaam aval varuvaalShe will come everywhere there
Aiyya unnai pin thodarvaal….Sir, she will follow behind you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Aasai Alaigal (1963) reflects deep grief, betrayal, and unyielding emotional devotion. The lyrics address a man who abandoned a loving woman—described metaphorically as a tender, flower-like young girl—leaving her alone on a desolate path after sharing intimately affectionate moments and building a life together. Kannadasan masterfully portrays her selflessness: she never sought gold or wealth, asking only for simple affection ('poovaasai'). The lyrics emphasize that even though he abandoned her halfway through their journey, her enduring presence and devotion will hauntingly follow him wherever he goes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Siriththu vantha poo magalai

Repetition of the initial 'S' sound in 'Siriththu' and 'Sendraaye' across lines, enhancing the rhythmic flow of the grief-stricken melody.

Rupakam (Metaphor)

Siriththu vantha poo magalai

'Poo magal' (Flower-girl) and 'Pon mugam' (Golden face) represent tenderness, purity, and precious beauty.

Metaphor

Aasai alaigalilae

'Aasai alaigal' compares overwhelming romantic desires to ocean waves in which both lovers swam together.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Ponnaasai kollavillai

Second consonant 'n' rhyming across 'Ponnaasai', 'Porulaasai', and 'Poovaasai', contrasting material greed against gentle affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aasai Alaigal (1963) features lyrics by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The imagery of 'poovaasai' (desire for a simple flower) versus 'ponnaasai' (desire for gold) is one of Kannadasan's iconic signature tropes contrasting pure love with worldly materialism.

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