Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engae Ponnai

From Zero · 2016

Lyricist
Kabilan
Singers
Vijay Prakash, Neeti Mohan
Music director
Nivas K. Prasanna
Details
Zero2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Enghae ponai ennai vittuWhere did you go, leaving me behind?
Enghae poven unnai vittu} (2)Where will I go, leaving you behind? (2)
Male
Avalin mughamooIs it her face?
Azhagin sugamooIs it the bliss of her beauty?
Unai thodavae thudikkumThat yearns to touch you,
Viralin nagamooIs it the fingernail on a finger?
Male
Thanimaiiii…seraiyilIn the prison of loneliness,
Thaviyaai thavithenaeI suffered in deep agony.
Vizhiyaai… tholaithenI lost myself like eyes...
Immaiyaai izhaithenaeI withered away like eyelashes.
Male
{Enghae ponai ennai vittuWhere did you go, leaving me behind?
Enghae poven unnai vittu} (2)Where will I go, leaving you behind? (2)
Female
Arugae irundhaaiYou were right beside me,
Adhai yen marandhaaiWhy did you forget that?
Tholil irundhaeRight from my shoulders,
Dhooram parandhaaiYou flew far away.
Female
Kanavaai irundhenI remained as a dream,
Kadhavai thirandhaaiYou opened the door.
Enakkul irundhumDespite being within me,
Enai yen pirindhaaiWhy did you separate from me?
Female
Iravin mugathilUpon the face of the night,
Nilavaai sirithenI smiled like the moon.
Pagalil nilavaaiLike the moon in daylight,
Tholaindhae ponenI became completely lost.
Oru naal unai arivenOne day I will understand you,
Unakkul uyir karaivenAnd dissolve my soul inside you.
Female
{Enghae ponai ennai vittuWhere did you go, leaving me behind?
Enghae poven unnai vittu} (2)Where will I go, leaving you behind? (2)
Female
{Enghae ponai ennai vittuWhere did you go, leaving me behind?
Enghae poven unnai vittu} (2)Where will I go, leaving you behind? (2)
Male
Avalin mughamooIs it her face?
Azhagin sugamooIs it the bliss of her beauty?
Unai thodavae thudikkumThat yearns to touch you,
Viralin nagamooIs it the fingernail on a finger?
Female
Thanimaiiii…seraiyilIn the prison of loneliness,
Thaviyaai thavithenaeI suffered in deep agony.
Vizhiyaai… tholaithenI lost myself like eyes...
Immaiyaai izhaithenaeI withered away like eyelashes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Enghae Ponai' from the supernatural fantasy thriller 'Zero' (2016) is a haunting expression of grief, longing, and emotional detachment caused by the sudden separation of lovers. The protagonist grapples with intense isolation, questioning where their soulmate has vanished to while recognizing their own inability to move forward without them. Through poignant imagery—comparing loneliness to a prison and self-worth to the moon invisible in daylight—lyricist Kabilan encapsulates a deep state of despair. Despite the anguish, the song ends on a hopeful note of spiritual unity, where the lover vows to understand their partner completely and dissolve into their existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thanimaiiii…seraiyil

Loneliness is metaphorically described as a prison ('serai') holding the protagonist captive.

Simile / Metaphor

Pagalil nilavaai / Tholaindhae ponen

The speaker compares their invisible and lost state of mind to the moon during the day, which exists but cannot be seen.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thanimaiiii…seraiyil / Thaviyaai thavithenae

Repetition of the initial letter 'Th' across 'Thanimai', 'Thaviyaai', and 'Thavithenae'.

Muran (Antithesis)

Iravin mugathil... / Pagalil nilavaai...

Contrast between night ('Iravu') and day ('Pagal') to highlight shifting states of presence and absence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music director and singers were listed as unknown in the prompt, the music for 'Zero' (2016) was composed by Nivas K. Prasanna. The song 'Enghae Ponai' is widely acclaimed for its atmospheric orchestration and soulful vocal rendition, perfectly complimenting the fantasy-supernatural theme of the film starring Ashwin Kakumanu and Sshivada.

Keep listening

More from Zero