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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Udalum Ulla

From Kodeeswaran · 1955

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Kodeeswaran1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En udalum ulla kaadhalumMy body and the deep love within
Unakkae sondham urudhi kannaAre surely yours alone, my Kanna
En udalum ulla kaadhalumMy body and the deep love within
Unakkae sondham urudhi ..Are surely yours alone...
Unnaiyoru naalum maravaen…aaI will never forget you... ah
Unnaiyoru naalum maravaenI will never forget you
Kaividamatten endraeSaying you would never abandon me
Vaakku thandhaaiYou gave a promise
Kaividamatten endraeSaying you would never abandon me
Vaakku thandhaai…kabadamo…You gave a promise... was it deceit?
Female
En udalum ulla kaadhalumMy body and the deep love within
Unakkae sondham urudhi …Are surely yours alone...
Female
Chinna vayadhillennaiIn my childhood, me
Mozhiyilum azhagilumWith your speech and beauty
Punnagaiyaalum mayakkiCaptivating me with your smile
En chinna vayadhillennaiIn my childhood, me
Mozhiyilum azhagilumWith your speech and beauty
Punnagaiyaalum mayakkiCaptivating me with your smile
En pinnalai pattri izhuthuPulling my braided hair
Kangalai pothi…aaa..Covering my eyes... ah
En pinnalai pattri izhuthuPulling my braided hair
Kangalai pothi vilaiyaadinaalumEven as you played covering my eyes
Ninaindhu yemaandhenaeI reminisced and ended up deceived
VilaiyaadinaalumEven as you played
Ninaindhu yemaandhenaeI reminisced and ended up deceived
Female
En udalum ulla kaadhalumMy body and the deep love within
Unakkae sondham urudhi …Are surely yours alone...
Female
Ennai marandhuForgetting me
Udhari thallinaalIf you cast me aside
Yaaridam muraiyiduven..yaenTo whom shall I complain... why?
Ennullamae kollai kol kannanaeOh Krishna, who stole my heart
Ennullamae kollai kol kannanaeOh Krishna, who stole my heart
Innum irangaavidil thaalaenaeIf you do not show mercy now, I cannot bear it
Innum irangaavidil thaalaenaeIf you do not show mercy now, I cannot bear it
Female
En udalum ulla kaadhalumMy body and the deep love within
Unakkae sondham urudhi kannaa…Are surely yours alone, my Kanna...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a classic expression of 'Nayaki Bhava' (the soul longing for union with the Divine Lord, Krishna). The protagonist surrenders her mind, body, and love completely to Lord Krishna, proclaiming that her entire existence belongs to him alone. She fondly recalls playful childhood moments—how he charmed her with his words, smile, and playful teasing, such as pulling her braid and covering her eyes in hide-and-seek games. However, nostalgia turns into bittersweet longing as she questions whether his promises of everlasting love were deceptive. She expresses fear of abandonment, asking where she could possibly turn if he discards her. Desperately seeking his divine grace and compassion, she pleads with the thief of her heart to show mercy before her suffering becomes unbearable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

En udalum ulla kaadhalum

The core couplet 'En udalum ulla kaadhalum / Unakkae sondham urudhi' repeats across stanzas to reinforce total devotion and theme.

Edugai (Second-letter rhyme)

En udalum ulla kaadhalum

The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines, creating classical Tamil rhythmic flow (e.g., 'udalum' / 'kadhalum').

Rhetorical Question

Vaakku thandhaai…kabadamo…

The speaker asks whether his divine promise was mere trickery ('kabadamo?'), accentuating emotional distress and betrayal.

Metaphor

Ennullamae kollai kol kannanae

Describing Kanna as 'kollai kol' (the one who loots/robs), metaphorically depicting how divine love completely steals away her heart and thoughts.

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Trivia

This song features lyrics by legendary Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, often called the 'Tamil Tyagaraja', and music by S. V. Venkatraman. Rendered by the illustrious Carnatic vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari (MLV), it showcases the seamless blending of classical Carnatic Sringara Bhakti into early Tamil cinema.

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