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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Vaanathil Aayiram

From Kaaviya Thalaivi · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kaaviya Thalaivi1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aahaa…aa….aaa…Vocalizing (Aahaa…aa….aaa…)
En vaanathil aayiram velli nilavuIn my sky, there are a thousand silver moons
En vaazhkkaiyil aayiram inba ninaivuIn my life, there are a thousand joyful memories
En vaanathil aayiram velli nilavuIn my sky, there are a thousand silver moons
En vaazhkkaiyil aayiram inba ninaivuIn my life, there are a thousand joyful memories
Female
En maaligai ketpadhu mannan varavuWhat my palace awaits is the arrival of the king
En maaligai ketpadhu mannan varavuWhat my palace awaits is the arrival of the king
Thanmaanathil maanudan naan uravuI am a human bound to self-respect
Thanmaanathil maanudan naan uravuI am a human bound to self-respect
Thanmaanathil maanudan naan uravuI am a human bound to self-respect
Aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aah….Vocalizing (Aaa…..aaaa….aaa…aah….)
Female
Mullai mottu alli iraithaPlucked and scattered jasmine buds
Manjam unduThere is a bed
Aaa…haaaa…haaa…Vocalizing (Aaa…haaaa…haaa…)
Munnum pinnum kaadhal pesumSpeaking of love from every side
Oviyam unduThere is a painting
Thanga nila mutrathil thavazhvadhunduCrawling in the golden moonlight courtyard
Thanimaiyilae kanavinil naan midhappadhunduIn solitude, I float inside dreams
Female
Aaaa…haaa..aaaa….haa..ha…Vocalizing (Aaaa…haaa..aaaa….haa..ha…)
Aah aaa haaa…Vocalizing (Aah aaa haaa…)
Female
En aadaiyai paarppadhilBy looking at my attire
Vegam varalaam…aaa…aammmExcitement may arise...
En aadaiyai paarppadhil vegam varalaamBy looking at my attire, excitement may arise
En aattathai paarppadhil mogam varalaamBy watching my dance, desire may arise
Female
En jaadaiyai kandadhumUpon seeing my gestures
Dhaagam varalaamThirst may arise
En jaadaiyai kandadhum dhaagam varalaamUpon seeing my gestures, thirst may arise
Andha dhaagathai theerkka en illam varalaamTo quench that thirst, one may come to my home
En vaazhkkaiyai ketta pin kanneer varalaamAfter hearing about my real life, tears may fall
En vaazhkkaiyai ketta pin kanneer varalaamAfter hearing about my real life, tears may fall
Female
Kannirandil vilaiyaadumPlaying in both my eyes
Kalai kaanungal….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa..aa…Behold the art...
Kaippurathil osaiyidum valai kaanungalBehold the bangles making sound on my wrists
Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa..aa..Vocalizing (Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa..aa..)
Velli ratham polirukkum udal kaanungalBehold my body which is like a silver chariot
Vinmeenai kaanbadhu pol ennai kaanungalLook at me as if looking at a star in the sky
Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa..aa..aahhVocalizing (Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa..aa..aahh)
Female
Pon maalaiyil naan konda alangaaramThe adornment I wore in the golden evening
Im-medaiyil naan seiyum adhigaaramThe authority I command on this stage
Pon maalaiyil naan konda alangaaramThe adornment I wore in the golden evening
Im-medaiyil naan seiyum adhigaaramThe authority I command on this stage
Female
Kann paarvaiyil naan sollum kalaiyaarvamThe artistic passion I express through the gaze of my eyes
Kann paarvaiyil naan sollum kalaiyaarvamThe artistic passion I express through the gaze of my eyes
Oru paadhiyaithaan sollum muga baavamFacial expressions tell only half of the story
Adhu oomaiyin kanavukku vilaiyaagumIt becomes a toy for a mute person's dream
Adhu oomaiyin kanavukku vilaiyaagumIt becomes a toy for a mute person's dream

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'En Vaanathil Aayiram Velli Nilavu' is a poignant composition showcasing the dual life of a performing artist. On stage, she captivates the audience with her beauty, rhythm, and artistic majesty—resembling a shining star or a silver chariot that inspires awe, desire, and passion. Her outward persona radiates glamour and authority over her craft.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En vaanathil aayiram velli nilavu

Compares the protagonist's mind/world to a sky filled with a thousand silver moons, illustrating grand artistic imagination.

Simile (Upamai)

Velli ratham polirukkum udal kaanungal

Compares her physical form to a silver chariot ('velli ratham'), emphasizing radiant aesthetic grace.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

En vaanathil aayiram velli nilavu / En vaazhkkaiyil aayiram inba ninaivu

Repetition of initial sounds 'En' across parallel lines creating rhythmic structure.

Contrast / Juxtaposition

En vaazhkkaiyai ketta pin kanneer varalaam

Juxtaposes outward glamour ('aattathai paarppadhil mogam varalaam') with internal anguish ('vaazhkkaiyai ketta pin kanneer varalaam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1970 Tamil film 'Kaaviya Thalaivi', directed by K. Balachander and starring Sowcar Janaki. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan, performed by P. Susheela.

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