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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enge Enathu Kavithai

From Kandukondain Kandukondain · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Srinivas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kandukondain Kandukondain2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{ Engae enadhu kavidhaiWhere is my poem?
Kanavilae ezhudhi maditha kavidhai }(2)The poem I wrote and folded in my dream...
Vizhiyil karaindhu vittadhoHas it dissolved in my eyes?
Ammammaa vidiyal azhithu vittadho … oo oooAh, has the dawn erased it away?
Female
Kavidhai thedi thaarungalPlease search for my poem and give it to me,
Illai en kanavai meetu thaarungalOr else, retrieve and give me back my dream!
{ Engae enadhu kavidhaiWhere is my poem?
Kanavilae ezhudhi maditha kavidhai } (2)The poem I wrote and folded in my dream...
Female
…………………………….....
Female
Maalai andhigalil manadhin sandhugalilIn twilight evenings, through the alleys of my mind,
Tholaindha mugathai manam thedudhaeMy heart searches for the lost face.
Veyil thaarozhugum nagara veedhigalilOn city streets melting under the harsh sun,
Maiyal kondu malar vaadudhaePining with love, the flower wilts away.
Female
Megam sindhum iru thuliyin idaiveliyilIn the tiny gap between two raindrops shed by a cloud,
Thuruvi thuruvi unai thedudhaeMy mind scrutinizes and searches for you.
Udaiyum nuraigalilum tholaindha kaadhalanaiEven in the breaking waves of foam, for her lost lover,
Urugi urugi manam thedudhaeMy heart searches, melting with anguish.
Female
Azhagiya thiru mugam oru tharam paarthaalIf I catch a glimpse of that beautiful divine face just once,
Amaidhiyil niraindhirupenI shall be filled with complete peace.
Nuni viral kondu oru murai theenduTouch me just once with the tip of your finger,
Nooru murai pirandhirupenAnd I shall be reborn a hundred times over.
Female
Orae paarvai ada orae vaarthaiJust one look, oh, just one word,
Ada orae thodudhal manam yengudhaeAh, my heart longs for just one touch!
Mutham podum andha moochin veppamThe warmth of that kiss-bestowing breath,
Adhu nitham vendum endru yengudhaeMy heart yearns for it every single day.
Male
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaAh... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Vervai pootha undhan sattai vaasamThe fragrance of your shirt blooming with sweat,
Indru ottum endru manam yengudhaeMy heart longs for it to cling to me today.
Mugam poothirukum mudiyil ondriranduA strand or two from the hair framing your face,
Kuthum inbam kanam ketkudhae …. aeMy heart desires the sweet prickle of it right now.
Male
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaaaaa aaaAh... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Engae Enadhu Kavidhai is a deeply poignant track from Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), capturing the agonizing search for lost love and cherished memories. The protagonist metaphorically refers to her lover and her unfulfilled romantic dreams as a 'poem written in a dream' that vanished at dawn. As she navigates through the city streets and the intimate corridors of her mind, every sensation—from raindrops to twilight breeze—evokes his absence. The lyrics express an intense physical and emotional longing where even a single touch, a look, or the scent of her beloved would bring complete solace and rebirth to her soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Engae enadhu kavidhai / Kanavilae ezhudhi maditha kavidhai

The lost lover and unexpressed romantic feelings are metaphorically referred to as a poem written and folded inside a dream.

Personification

Maiyal kondu malar vaadudhae

The wilting flower is personified as suffering from the anguish of love and desire.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Udaiyum nuraigalilum tholaindha kaadhalanai / Urugi urugi manam thedudhae

Repetition of the initial vowel 'U' across lines and words creates a rhythmic, melodic flow mirroring emotional distress.

Hyperbole (Uruvagam / Adukku Thodaru)

Nuni viral kondu oru murai theendu / Nooru murai pirandhirupen

An exaggerated poetic claim that a single gentle touch on the fingertip would make the speaker feel reborn a hundred times.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, the song features music composed by Academy Award-winner A. R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. Sung masterfully by Srinivas and K. S. Chithra, the song holds a major narrative significance in the movie Kandukondain Kandukondain (directed by Rajiv Menon), underscoring the romantic turmoil faced by the character played by Aishwarya Rai.

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