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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Kanmani Un Kadhali

From Chittu Kuruvi · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chittu Kuruvi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
En kanmaniMy beloved apple of my eye,
Un kaadhali ila maanganiYour lover is a tender mango fruit.
Unai paarthadhum sirikkindrathenWhy does she smile upon seeing you?
SirikkindrathenWhy does she smile?
Naan sonna jokkai kettu naanamoIs it shyness from hearing the joke I told?
Nee nagaichuvai mannanillaiyo…Aren't you the king of comedy?
Male
Nanna sonnel pongho..Oh, you said it so well, go on!
Female
En mannavanMy king,
Un kaadhalan enai paarthathumUpon seeing me, your lover,
Oraayiram kadhai solgiraanTells a thousand stories.
KadhaisolgiraanTells stories.
Ammammaa innum ketka thoondumoOh my, does it tempt you to listen even more?
Nee rasikkindra kanniyillaiyo…Aren't you a maiden who appreciates it?
Male
En kanmani…My beloved...
Male
Irumaangal pesumpothuWhen two deer converse,
Mozhiyethammaa…aaaaa….Where is the need for a language?
Pirar kaadhil ketpatharkumFor others to hear it with their ears,
Vazhiyethammaa…aaa…Where is a way?
Female
Oru jodi sernthu sellumA pair traveling together,
Payanangalilll….In their journeys...
Uravandri veru illaiiiNothing exists except their relationship,
Kavanangalilll…In their thoughts...
Male
Ilama mayilA young peacock,
Female :ArugamayilFemale: Coming close,
Male
Vanthadum velai inbam kodi endruWhen it dances, saying the joy is endless,
Anubhavam sollavillaiyoHas experience not told you so?
Male
Inthama karuvaattu koodaiHey you, dried fish basket lady,
Munnaadi poMove ahead!
Female
En mannavanMy king,
Un kaadhalan enai paarthathumUpon seeing me, your lover,
Oraayiram kadhai solgiraanTells a thousand stories.
KadhaisolgiraanTells stories.
Ammammaa innum ketka thoondumoOh my, does it tempt you to listen even more?
Nee rasikkindra kanniyillaiyo…Aren't you a maiden who appreciates it?
Male
En kanmani…My beloved...
Male
Thenampettai super marketTeynampet Supermarket!
Iranghu..uuGet down...
Male
Medhuvaagha unnai konjamGently, I wish to touch you,
Thodavendumae..ae…ae…..Just a little bit...
Thirumeni enghum viralgalAcross your whole body, my fingers,
Padavendumae..aee..aeeShould lay upon...
Female
Adharkaana neram ondruA time meant for that,
Varavendumae..ae…ae..Must arrive...
Adaiyaala chinnam ondruA mark of love as a symbol,
Tharavendumae…aee..aee….Must be given...
Male
Iru tholilum manamaalaigalWedding garlands on both shoulders,
Female
Kondaadum kaalamondru koodumendruThat a time of celebration will come together,
Thavikkindra thavippennavo…What is this yearning anxiety?
Male
En kanmaniMy beloved,
Un kaadhali ila maanganiYour lover is a tender mango fruit.
Unai paarthadhum sirikkindrathenWhy does she smile upon seeing you?
SirikkindrathenWhy does she smile?
Naan sonna jokkai kettu naanamoIs it shyness from hearing the joke I told?
Nee nagaichuvai mannanillaiyo…Aren't you the king of comedy?
Female
En mannavanMy king,
Un kaadhalan enai paarthathumUpon seeing me, your lover,
Oraayiram kadhai solgiraanTells a thousand stories.
KadhaisolgiraanTells stories.
Ammammaa innum ketka thoondumoOh my, does it tempt you to listen even more?
Nee rasikkindra kanniyillaiyo…Aren't you a maiden who appreciates it?
Male
En kanmaniii…..My beloved...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

En Kanmani from the film Chittu Kuruvi (1978) is a playful and romantic duet between two lovers, uniquely intercut with realistic comedic background sounds and dialogues of a bus conductor and passengers. The song explores the tender and humorous exchange between the couple as they tease each other about jokes, unspoken feelings, and their blossoming affection. The lyrics use poetic imagery such as silent deer communicating without language and a peacock dancing in bliss to depict intimate love. The romantic mood is delightfully contrasted with mundane everyday interruptions, like calling out bus stops ('Teynampet Super Market') and instructing passengers carrying fish baskets to move. Ultimately, the song expresses the lovers' deep yearning for intimacy, soft touch, and the eagerly awaited day when they will exchange wedding garlands and unite in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Un kaadhali ila maangani

The female lover is metaphorically referred to as 'Ila maangani' (tender mango fruit), highlighting her youthfulness and sweetness.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Irumaangal pesumpothu Mozhiyethammaa

'Iru maangal' (two deer) is used as a metaphor for the quiet, non-verbal love communication between the couple.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Irumaangal pesumpothu / Pirar kaadhil ketpatharkum

The second consonant 'ru' rhymes across 'Irumaangal' and 'Pirar', creating rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Dramatic Realism & Juxtaposition

Inthama karuvaattu koodai Munnaadi po

Spoken street and bus conductor lines are juxtaposed against romantic melodies for dramatic comedic relief.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela is famous in Tamil cinema for breaking the fourth wall of audio by seamlessly blending a high-class romantic melody with real-life ambient dialogue and comedic bus conductor calls, reflecting the bus conductor role played by actor Sivakumar in the movie.

Keep listening

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