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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithira Mandapathil Sila Muthukkal

From Anbai Thedi · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Jayalalithaa
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anbai Thedi1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chiththira mandapaththilIn the painted art hall
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaenI scattered a few pearls
Chiththira mandapaththilIn the painted art hall
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaenI scattered a few pearls
Male
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyoWhat is the philosophy behind it, my dear?
Unthan muththirai podadiyoWon't you place your seal upon it?
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyoWhat is the philosophy behind it, my dear?
Unthan muththirai podadiyoWon't you place your seal upon it?
Female
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjamIn those brinjal-flower eyes
Karpanai enni vaiththaenI wove a few fantasies
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjamIn those brinjal-flower eyes
Karpanai enni vaiththaenI wove a few fantasies
Female
Adhu kattiya vattangaloAre those drawn circles?
Illai kottiya muththangaloOr showerings of kisses?
Adhu kattiya vattangaloAre those drawn circles?
Illai kottiya muththangaloOr showerings of kisses?
Female
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjamIn those brinjal-flower eyes
Karpanai enni vaiththaen….ae….ae….I wove a few fantasies... ah... ah...
Male
Sempon meni thiruch sabaiyilIn the holy assembly of your pure golden body
Sevai seiya vanthaenI came to offer my service
Sempon meni thiruch sabaiyilIn the holy assembly of your pure golden body
Sevai seiya vanthaenI came to offer my service
Sivantha pavala pettiyilFrom the red coral box
Enthan thevai kolla vanthaenI came to claim my desire
Female
Kumba kalasam minnum azhaguWith beauty glowing like a temple finial
Koyil katti vaiththaenI built a temple
Kumba kalasam minnum azhaguWith beauty glowing like a temple finial
Koyil katti vaiththaenI built a temple
Kulira kulira aadum vannamSwaying gently to bring soothing coolness
Aruvi kotti vaiththaenI poured forth a waterfall
Male
Suvaikka sammathamaa…aa…Do you consent to taste this?
Female :Idhu maraikkum manthiramaa….Female: Is this a mantra that conceals something?
Male
Chiththira mandapaththilIn the painted art hall
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaenI scattered a few pearls
Male
Ilaigal moodum kanigal unduThere are fruits hidden beneath leaves
Bodhai kolla vanthaenI came to become intoxicated
Ilaigal moodum kanigal unduThere are fruits hidden beneath leaves
Bodhai kolla vanthaenI came to become intoxicated
Idaiyil aadum nadana saalaiIn the dance hall swaying at the waist
Paavam kaana vanthaenI came to witness the graceful expressions
Female
Sugam ulaavum sorkka logamA heavenly world where bliss wanders
Naanum kondu vanthaenI too have brought along
Sugam ulaavum sorkka logamA heavenly world where bliss wanders
Naanum kondu vanthaenI too have brought along
Thodara thodara engo sellumAs it continuously leads somewhere
Nyaanam kondu vanthaenI brought divine wisdom along
Male
Suvaikka sammathamaa…aa…Do you consent to taste this?
Female :Idhu maraikkum manthiramaa….Female: Is this a mantra that conceals something?
Male
Chiththira mandapaththilIn the painted art hall
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaenI scattered a few pearls
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyoWhat is the philosophy behind it, my dear?
Unthan muththirai podadiyoWon't you place your seal upon it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic, sensual duct from the 1974 film 'Anbai Thedi', penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The hero and heroine express their deep affection and desire using rich classical Tamil allegories, comparing love and beauty to sacred temples, golden halls, corals, and heavenly realms. The lyrics blend physical admiration with poetic elevation—describing the beloved's form as a holy golden shrine and her lips as a coral box. The playful banter between the lovers emphasizes mutual enchantment, sweet mystery, and spiritual intimacy elevated to a divine experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Chiththira mandapaththil / Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen

Comparing the beloved's body to an art gallery ('Chiththira mandapam') and her smile/teeth/kisses to scattered pearls ('muththukkal').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Chiththira mandapaththil / Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen

The second consonant sound 'th' rhymes between 'Chiththira' and 'Muththukkal', maintaining classical Tamil prosody.

Rhetorical Question

Adhu kattiya vattangalo / Illai kottiya muththangalo

Asking whether the experience is just drawn circles or showered kisses creates romantic intrigue.

Roobagam (Allegory)

Sivantha pavala pettiyil / Enthan thevai kolla vanthaen

Describing lips as a red coral box ('Sivantha pavala petti') from which sweet love is received.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Anbai Thedi' (1974) is a Tamil romantic drama film directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The soundtrack for the film was composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), featuring evocative lyrics written by Kannadasan.

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