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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Kannil Ambum

From Kalaivanan · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Kalaivanan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ho o o o o oHo o o o o o
En kannil ambum unduMy eyes hold an arrow
En sollil thaenum unduMy words hold honey
Ingae paar asai mama odi vaaLook here, my beloved, run and come!
Ingae paar asai mama odi vaaLook here, my beloved, run and come!
Male
Haa..aa…Haa..aa…
Kannambai podadhaeDo not shoot your eye-arrows
Themmanghu paadhaeDo not sing folk songs
Kitta naan vandhaal odathaeDo not run away when I come close
Ennaasai thangamaeMy precious darling gold
Kindal nee seiyaadhaeDo not tease me
Male
Thamizhin veedu paandiya naaduThe home of Tamil is the Pandya land
Thamizhin veedu paandiya naaduThe home of Tamil is the Pandya land
Female :Amudham pondradhu endrae paaduFemale: Sing that it is sweet like nectar
Male :Rasigar kondadave nee aaduMale: Dance so that the fans celebrate
Female
Vizhiyai kaakkum imaiyai polaeJust like the eyelids protect the eyes
Vizhiyai kaakkum imaiyai polaeJust like the eyelids protect the eyes
Male :Kalaiayi makkal ellaamMale: All the people will protect art
Kaapaar inge anboduThey will protect it here with love
Both :Tharuvar vaazhthukkal sollum yeduBoth: They will give scrolls of blessings and praise
Kalaingar ellorukkumae panboduTo all artists with gracious courtesy
Male
Ho o o oHo o o o
Kaaveri paayum mannaiThe land where the Cauvery river flows
Kannai kandaal podhumJust seeing it with one's eyes is enough
Inbam varum thannalHappiness will automatically flow
Kaaveri paayum mannaiThe land where the Cauvery river flows
Kannai kandaal podhumJust seeing it with one's eyes is enough
Inbam varum thannalHappiness will automatically flow
Female
Maavodu vaazhai thennaiMango, banana, and coconut trees
Valarndhaadum solaiyum munnaeIn front of the lush, swaying groves
Maavodu vaazhai thennaiMango, banana, and coconut trees
Valarndhaadum solaiyum munnaeIn front of the lush, swaying groves
Kaaandha nenjam ellamae kondaadi paadumAll magnetic hearts will celebrate and sing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Kalaivanan (1959) begins as a playful duet celebrating love and romantic teasing between lovers. The female singer entices her partner with metaphors of honeyed speech and piercing glances, while the male singer affectionately responds with gentle warnings not to mock him. As the song progresses, the theme broadens into an ode to Tamil culture, performing arts, and the fertile Tamil landscape. It praises the patrons who safeguard artists like eyelids protecting the eye, and honors the rich lands of the Pandya kingdom and the Cauvery river delta adorned with mango, banana, and coconut groves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

En kannil ambum undu / En sollil thaenum undu

Comparing glances to arrows ('kannil ambu') and speech to honey ('sollil thaen').

Simile (Uvamai)

Vizhiyai kaakkum imaiyai polae

Comparing patrons who protect art and artists to eyelids that safeguard the eyes ('polae').

Rhyme & Assonance (Edhukai / Monai)

Maavodu vaazhai thennai / Valarndhaadum solaiyum munnae

Matching second consonants and vowel sounds in consecutive lines ('Maavodu' / 'Valarndhaadum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalaivanan (1959) was a Tamil drama film starring A. Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi, centered around themes of art and devotion. The music by Pendyala Nageswara Rao featured popular duets that blended classical Tamil lyrics with theatrical folk melodies.

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