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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Kaadhal Inbam Idhuthaana

From Thaaikkuppin Thaaram · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Bhanumathi, A. M. Rajah
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaaikkuppin Thaaram1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaaIs this state of imprisonment all it is?
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Male
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaaIs this state of imprisonment all it is?
Male
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Female
Kaadhalae ilaiyael ulagilaeIf there is no love in this world,
Saadhal ondrae dheiveegamaeDeath alone becomes divine.
Kaadhalae ilaiyael ulagilaeIf there is no love in this world,
Saadhal ondrae dheiveegamaeDeath alone becomes divine.
Kanavo ninaivo kaanal neeraagumoWill my dreams and reality turn into a mirage?
Kavalaiyin nilai maarumoWill this state of sorrow ever change?
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaaIs this state of imprisonment all it is?
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Male
Vaazhvinilae oru naalEven if just for one single day in life
Ponnaalaai vaaindhaalum podhumIt turns out to be golden, that is enough.
JeevidhamaeOh life!
Male
Vaazhvinilae oru naalEven if just for one single day in life
Ponnaalaai vaaindhaalum podhumIt turns out to be golden, that is enough.
Jeevidhamae en jeevidhamaeOh life, my life!
Kanavo ninaivo kaanal neeraagumoWill my dreams and reality turn into a mirage?
Kavalaiyin nilai maarumoWill this state of sorrow ever change?
Male
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaaIs this state of imprisonment all it is?
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?
Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaaIs this state of imprisonment all it is?
Female
En kaadhal inbam idhu thaanaaIs this the joy of my love?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deep melancholic reflection on love, distress, and yearning for relief. The protagonist questions whether the joy promised by love is merely a form of emotional imprisonment and captivity. Feeling hopeless, the lyrics declare that if love cannot thrive in this world, embraced death remains the only divine escape from agony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Sirai kaaval nilai thaanaa

Comparing the pain and emotional distress of unfulfilled love to living in a prison guard state ('Sirai kaaval nilai').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kanavo ninaivo kaanal neeraagumo

Comparing cherished memories and dreams to a mirage ('kaanal neer'), signifying illusion and heartbreak.

Monai (Alliteration)

Kanavo ninaivo kaanal neeraagumo

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across words in the line ('Kanavo', 'kaanal').

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Kavalaiyin nilai maarumo

Using reflective questions to express grief and uncertainty about whether hardship will ever end.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaaikkuppin Thaaram (1956) was the maiden film production of Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar under the banner Devar Films. Starring M. G. Ramachandran and Bhanumathi, the film's memorable soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, helping establish his long-standing collaboration with MGR.

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