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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enakinai Yaar Inge

From Ivan · 2002

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sudha Ragunathan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ivan2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enakkinai yaar inage isaiyilWho is my equal here in music?
Female
Enakkinai yaar ingae isaiyilWho is my equal here in music?
En devi kalaimagal en naavil irukkaiyilWhen my goddess Saraswati resides on my tongue,
En devi kalaimagal en naavil irukkaiyilWhen my goddess Saraswati resides on my tongue,
Female
Sangeetha saagarathilIn the ocean of music,
Sathur vilaiyaadidumwhere graceful skill plays,
Sabaiyil enakku ingae samamenain this royal assembly, who can be equal to me here?
Enakkinai yaar ingae isaiyilWho is my equal here in music?
Female
Saarisanisarisanisariga risanisarigamaSaa-ri-sa-ni-sa-ri-sa-ni-sa-ri-ga ri-sa-ni-sa-ri-ga-ma (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Magarisa sasamapapa gamagarisaMa-ga-ri-sa sa-sa-ma-pa-pa ga-ma-ga-ri-sa (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Gariri dhadha maga gamagarisanidhapamaGa-ri-ri dha-dha ma-ga ga-ma-ga-ri-sa-ni-dha-pa-ma (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Paadhapadhamapanidhapama dha dhaPaa-dha-pa-dha-ma-pa-ni-dha-pa-ma dha dha (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Mapadhanirisaa nidhapamaMa-pa-dha-ni-ri-saa ni-dha-pa-ma (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Gamagamapamadha gamadhapama rigamaGa-ma-ga-ma-pa-ma-dha ga-ma-dha-pa-ma ri-ga-ma (Carnatic Solfege / Swaras)
Dhanisari nidhapama enakkinai yaar…Dha-ni-sa-ri ni-dha-pa-ma who is my equal...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classical song expresses the supreme pride and musical authority of a singer who asserts that no one in the gathering can match her artistry. She credits her unmatched musical talent to the grace of Goddess Kalaimagal (Saraswati), the deity of knowledge and arts, whom she believes resides right on her tongue.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Alliteration)

Sangeetha saagarathil / Sathur vilaiyaadidum / Sabaiyil enakku ingae samamena

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Sa' across consecutive lines ('Sangeetha', 'Sathur', 'Sabaiyil', 'Samamena') adds rhythmic harmony and emphasis.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sangeetha saagarathil

Music is directly compared to an ocean ('Sangeetha saagarathil'), conveying its immense depth and expanse.

Hyperbole / Synecdoche

En devi kalaimagal en naavil irukkaiyil

Claiming that Goddess Kalaimagal sits on her tongue ('en naavil irukkaiyil') is a poetic exaggeration signifying supreme eloquence and vocal perfection.

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Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the film 'Ivan' (2002) directed by R. Parthiban, this song was sung by renowned classical Carnatic vocalist Sudha Ragunathan. Vaali's lyrics brilliantly capture the traditional pride of a classical maestro in a sabha, culminating in elaborate swaram (solfege) improvisations.

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