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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Aasai Ennodu

From Thirudan · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thirudan1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En aasai ennoduMy desire remains within me
Salangai tharum oosai unnoduThe sound made by anklets remains with you
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..haa..haaThere is only intoxication... ah ah ha ha
Mayakkam thaan ohoo hoo hooThere is only intoxication ohoo hoo hoo
Female
Ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha
En aasai ennoduMy desire remains within me
Salangai tharum oosai unnoduThe sound made by anklets remains with you
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..mayakkam thaanThere is only intoxication... ah ah... intoxication indeed
Female
Kottathil vilaiyaada pudhithanavalShe is new to playing in the royal court
Kolathil alangaaram pazhagaadhavalShe is unaccustomed to decorative attire
Paattukku nadai potu ariyadhavalShe does not know how to dance to the tune
Paavathai pirar kaana sagiyadhavalShe cannot bear others seeing her inner emotions
Female
Aattathil aasai unduThere is a desire in dancing
Aasaikkum thevai unduThere is also a need for that desire
Aattathil aasai unduThere is a desire in dancing
Aasaikkum thevai unduThere is also a need for that desire
KettaalIf asked
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..mayakkam thaanThere is only intoxication... ah ah... intoxication indeed
O mayakkam thaanOh, intoxication indeed
En aasai ennoduMy desire remains within me
Salangai tharum oosai unnoduThe sound made by anklets remains with you
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..mayakkam thaanThere is only intoxication... ah ah... intoxication indeed
Female
Madhu kudathil nanaitheduthathuSoaked in a pot of wine
Endhan udal allaIs not my body
Vaditha ponnena anaikka vandhavalLike molten gold coming to embrace
Naanalla naanallaI am not, I am not
Female
Manamulla malar kaana kodiyanavalShe is like a creeper longing to see a fragrant flower
Vaazhgindra thunaikkaana thaniyanavalShe is a lonely woman longing for a life partner
Vazhi kandu sabai thedi silaiyaanavalFinding a way and seeking the court, she became like a statue
Maanathil nizhalodu kalaiyaanavalIn self-respect, she became an art merging with shadows
Female
Aattathil aasai unduThere is a desire in dancing
Aasaikkum thevai unduThere is also a need for that desire
Aattathil aasai unduThere is a desire in dancing
Aasaikkum thevai unduThere is also a need for that desire
KettaalIf asked
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..mayakkam thaanThere is only intoxication... ah ah... intoxication indeed
O mayakkam thaanOh, intoxication indeed
En aasai ennoduMy desire remains within me
Salangai tharum oosai unnoduThe sound made by anklets remains with you
Ulagamae aadum pennoduWith the woman around whom the world dances
Mayakkam thaan …aa..aa..mayakkam thaanThere is only intoxication... ah ah... intoxication indeed

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'En Aasai Ennodu' is a poignant composition from the movie Thirudan (1969) that explores the inner emotions and dignity of a court dancer. While the world sees her as an entertaining performer whose rhythmic anklets captivate everyone, the song reveals her deep sense of self-respect, innocence, and emotional isolation. She affirms that her inner desires belong to her alone and that she is not merely an object of pleasure or temptation. Through poetic contrasts, lyricist Kannadasan depicts a woman who dances out of necessity and passion yet seeks true love, honour, and genuine companionship rather than superficial admiration. M.S. Vishwanathan's rich composition and P. Susheela's expressive vocals beautifully capture this blend of charm and vulnerability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kottathil vilaiyaada pudhithanaval / Kolathil alangaaram pazhagaadhaval

The consecutive lines end with the suffix '-aval' ('pudhithanaval', 'pazhagaadhaval', 'ariyadhaval', 'sagiyadhaval'), creating a rhythmic and musical cadence.

Simile (Upamai)

Vaditha ponnena anaikka vandhaval

The line 'Vaditha ponnena' compares the dancer's allure to poured/molten gold, which she refutes as her true identity.

Contrast (Ethiridai)

En aasai ennodu / Salangai tharum oosai unnodu

Contrasts the external performance ('Salangai tharum oosai' - anklet sound with you) with her internal private world ('En aasai ennodu' - my desire with me).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is a celebrated collaboration between MSV, Kannadasan, and P. Susheela from the 1969 film 'Thirudan'. It is highly regarded for its classic dance orchestration and Kannadasan's subtle commentary on the dignity of performing artists.

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