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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enakku Theriyala Nijama

From Koondukkili · 1954

Lyricist
Vindhan
Singer
P. A. Periyanayaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Koondukkili1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.
Female
Ungalai kandavudanThe moment I see you,
Udambedhukku silukkanumwhy does my body get goosebumps?
Ungalai kandavudanThe moment I see you,
Udambedhukku silukkanumwhy does my body get goosebumps?
Ullanthulla udhadu irandumAs my heart leaps with excitement, why do both my lips
Mella edhukku sirikkanumgently smile?
Mella edhukku sirikkanumWhy gently smile?
Mella edhukku sirikkanumWhy gently smile?
Female
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.
Female
Padukkaiyilae padukka ponaaWhen I lie down on my bed,
Mullaa edhukku kuthanumwhy does it prick like thorns?
Paazhung kangal iravu muzhudhumAll night long, why do these wretched eyes
Thoonga edhukku marukkanumrefuse to go to sleep?
Female
Padukkaiyilae padukka ponaaWhen I lie down on my bed,
Mullaa edhukku kuthanumwhy does it prick like thorns?
Paazhung kangal iravu muzhudhumAll night long, why do these wretched eyes
Thoonga edhukku marukkanumrefuse to go to sleep?
Thoonga edhukku marukkanumWhy refuse to sleep?
Thoonga edhukku marukkanumWhy refuse to sleep?
Female
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.
Female
Karumbai vetti thinnaa koodaEven when I cut and eat sweet sugarcane,
Vaai edhukku kasakkanumwhy does my mouth taste bitter?
Kannam rendum onnae onnuWhen asking for just one kiss on the cheeks,
Kettae edhukku sivakkanumwhy do they turn red and blush?
Female
Karumbai vetti thinnaa koodaEven when I cut and eat sweet sugarcane,
Vaai edhukku kasakkanumwhy does my mouth taste bitter?
Kannam rendum onnae onnuWhen asking for just one kiss on the cheeks,
Kettae edhukku sivakkanumwhy do they turn red and blush?
Kettae edhukku sivakkanumWhy blush just for asking?
Kettae edhukku sivakkanumWhy blush just for asking?
Female
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaaTruly, I do not know.
Enakku theriyalae nejamaa theriyalaeTruly, I do not know, I really do not know.
Onnum puriyalaeI understand nothing at all.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song portrays the sweet confusion, innocent awakening, and physical sensations experienced by a young protagonist falling in love. Experiencing symptoms of romantic longing for the first time, she playfully questions why her body and mind act in ways beyond her control—such as feeling goosebumps upon seeing her beloved, involuntary smiling, sleepless nights where the bed feels as sharp as thorns, and even sweet sugarcane tasting bitter. Through a series of innocent rhetorical questions, lyricist Vindhan elegantly captures the classic tropes of Tamil romantic poetry (Viraham and Kaadhal), contrasting physical sensations with emotional turmoil. The song captures the delightful vulnerability and self-discovery that accompanies newfound affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alangaaram)

Padukkaiyilae padukka ponaa mullaa edhukku kuthanum

The speaker asks 'why does the bed prick like thorns?' not to seek a literal answer, but to poetically convey the restlessness caused by romantic longing.

Metaphor / Contrast (Muran)

Karumbai vetti thinnaa kooda vaai edhukku kasakkanum

Contrasts the inherent sweetness of sugarcane with the bitter taste in her mouth, metaphorically illustrating how love alters her senses.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Karumbai / Kannam

The second letter 'r' ('ரு') in Karumbai rhymes structurally with the second letter 'n' ('ன்') in Kannam in Tamil poetic meter.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Ungalai kandavudan / Udambedhukku silukkanum

The initial vowel sound 'U' is repeated in consecutive lines ('Ungalai' and 'Udambedhukku'), creating a rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Koondukkili (1954) holds a monumental place in Tamil cinema history as the only film where the two legendary stalwarts of Tamil cinema, M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan, shared screen space together. The film's music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by Vindhan, a celebrated reformist writer known for his realistic and poignant lyrics.

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