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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Uyir Thozhi

From Karnan · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Karnan1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Female
Than uyir polaeLike his own life,
Mannuyir kaappaanHe protects all living beings on earth;
Thalavan endraayae thozhiYou said he is a great leader, my friend!
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Female
Aranmanai arivaanHe knows the palace,
Ariyanai arivaan…He knows the throne...
Aa… aa… aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…
Aa… aa… aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…
Aa… aa… aa…aa… aaa….aa….aa….aa..Aa… aa… aa…aa… aaa….aa….aa….aa..
Aaa….aaa….aa.a…aaa…aa.a…aa….Aaa….aaa….aa.a…aaa…aa.a…aa….
Female
Aranmanai arivaanHe knows the palace,
Ariyanai arivaanHe knows the throne,
Andhappuram ondruThat a harem exists,
Irupadhai ariyaanHe remains completely unaware.
Varugindra vazhakkaiDisputes brought by others,
Theerthu mudippaanHe resolves completely;
Manaiviyin vazhakkaiThe grievances of his own wife,
Manadhilum ninaiyaanHe does not even consider in his mind.
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhiYour king's justice?
Female
Indraenum avanWill he, at least today,
Enai ninaivaanoThink of me?
Ilamaiyai kaakka thunai varuvaanoWill he come as my companion to protect my youth?
Nandru thozhi nee thoodhu selvaayoMy good friend, will you go as a messenger?
Nangaiyin thuyara saedhi sollvaayoWill you convey the sorrowful news of this woman?
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?
Female
En uyir thozhiMy soulmate friend,
Kel oru saedhiListen to a message.
Idhu thaanooIs this truly
Ungal mannavan needhi…Your king's justice?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the classic movie Karnan (1964) captures the poignant lament of Subhangi, the wife of King Karna. Addressing her close companion (thozhi), she gently questions the nature of her husband's justice. While Karna is widely praised for his nobility, righteousness, and untiring commitment to solving every subject's problem, he completely neglects his personal life and his wife's loneliness in the inner quarters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Than uyir polae / Mannuyir kaappaan

The second consonant 'n' (ன்) rhymes between 'Than' and 'Mann', creating a rhythmic flow.

Monai (First-letter alliteration)

Aranmanai arivaan / Ariyanai arivaan

The opening sound 'A' repeats in 'Aranmanai' and 'Ariyanai'.

Contrast / Irony

Varugindra vazhakkai theerthu mudippaan / Manaiviyin vazhakkai manadhilum ninaiyaan

Presents a stark thematic contrast between Karna solving the world's disputes while completely ignoring his wife's grievance.

Rhetorical Question (Vinai)

Idhu thaanoo ungal mannavan needhi…

Subhangi repeatedly asks if this neglect constitutes true kingly justice, emphasizing her longing and emotional pain.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, this classic song from Karnan (1964) was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by the iconic playback singer P. Susheela. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan as Karna and Devika as his wife Subhangi.

Keep listening

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