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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enge Irunthai Isaiye Male

From Ajantha · 2012

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ajantha
Movie release year
2012
Lyrics added on
26 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Engae irundhaai isaiyae…
Engae irundhaai isaiyae
Nee engae irundhaai isaiyae
Uyirilaa unarvilaa
Manadhilaa madhiyilaa
Idhil edhuvo naanum ariyaen
Aanaal enakkul irukkiraai
Engirundho enakkul
Allida kuraiyaa ootraai surakkiraai
Engae irundhaai isaiyae
Kaatril kalappadhaal
Nee kaatrin vadivamaa sol
Oliyaai udhippadhaal
Nee oliyin uruvamaa sol
Uruvam yaedhum illaamal
Ulagai eerppaayae
Ulagin uyirgal unnidathil
Ullam izhappaarae
Isaiyil mayangaa uyir yaedhu
Mazhaiyil vilaiyaa payir yaedhu
Idhu unakkum enakkum
Poorva jenma bandham thaan
Engae irundhaai isaiyae
Nee engae irundhaai isaiyae
Ethanai oorgalil
Naam inaindhu paadi chendrom
Ethanai sevigalil
Thaen virundhu padaithu chendrom
Paadhai illaa oorukkellaam
Paattaal vazhi pottom
Vaedhanai namakkul irundhaalum
Paattaal thuyar theerthom
Isaiyai arindhida vizhi edharkku
Inam thaan kandida sevi irukku
Ingu paadum paadal
Pazhaiya ninaivai kooraadho
Engae irundhaai isaiyae
Nee engae irundhaai isaiyae
Uyirilaa unarvilaa
Manadhilaa madhiyilaa
Idhil edhuvo naanum ariyaen
Aanaal enakkul irukkiraai
Engirundho enakkul
Allida kuraiyaa ootraai surakkiraai
Engae irundhaai…isaiyae….
Where were you, O music…
Where were you, O music?
Where were you, O music?
In my soul or in my feelings?
In my heart or in my mind?
Which of these it is, even I do not know,
Yet you live within me.
From somewhere, inside me,
You flow like a spring that never runs dry.
Where were you, O music?
Since you blend into the wind,
Tell me, are you the shape of the wind?
Since you arise as sound,
Tell me, are you the form of sound?
Without having any form at all,
You captivate the world.
All the living beings of this world
Lose their hearts to you.
Is there any soul not moved by music?
Is there any crop that will not grow in rain?
Between you and me,
This is surely a bond from past lives.
Where were you, O music?
Where were you, O music?
In how many towns
Have we sung together as we went!
To how many ears
Have we served a feast of honey!
To every town that had no road,
We paved a path with song.
Even with heartache inside us,
We healed sorrow with song.
Why do you need eyes to know music?
Ears are there to recognize its kind.
Won't this song sung here
Recall our old memories?
Where were you, O music?
Where were you, O music?
In my soul or in my feelings?
In my heart or in my mind?
Which of these it is, even I do not know,
Yet you live within me.
From somewhere, inside me,
You flow like a spring that never runs dry.
Where were you… O music…
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply philosophical ode to Music ('Isai') personified as an eternal companion and a divine, formless force. The singer reflects on how music resides inside human consciousness—beyond simple mind, soul, or intellect—flowing like an endless spring. The lyrics marvel at music's intangible nature: though formless, it captivates all living beings just as rain gives life to crops.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Uyirilaa unarvilaa / Manadhilaa madhiyilaa”

The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming suffixes ('ilaa'), establishing a musical cadence.

Rhetorical Question & Analogy

“Isaiyil mayangaa uyir yaedhu / Mazhaiyil vilaiyaa payir yaedhu”

Compares living beings being captivated by music to crops thriving in rain, asking rhetorical questions to emphasize universal truths.

Metaphor

“Thaen virundhu padaithu chendrom”

Music served to listeners' ears is metaphorically described as a 'feast of honey' ('Thaen virundhu').

Personification

“Engae irundhaai isaiyae”

Music ('Isai') is directly addressed as a living companion and soulmate with whom the singer shares past-life bonds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by veteran lyricist Vaali, 'Engae irundhaai isaiyae' from the 2012 film Ajantha celebrates music as a divine phenomenon. The film was notable for being a multilingual release, featuring music by veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja along with Arvind-Shankar.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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Enge Irunthai Isaiye2012
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