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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enge Vandhaai

From Kongu Nattu Thangam · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kongu Nattu Thangam1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaal idhu varai kaanadha paadhaiyilOn a path unseen by the eyes until now,
Thannan thanimaiyil ivvelaiyilaeIn complete solitude at this hour,
Thannan thanimaiyil ivvelaiyilaeIn complete solitude at this hour,
Engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come? Where have you come?
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?
Female
Irundha idhathai vittuLeaving behind the place you were in,
Enna ninaithu konduThinking what in your mind,
Indha idam thedi odi vandhaaiDid you run seeking this place?
Engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come? Where have you come?
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?
Female
Valarthavargal meedhu kobamaAre you angry at those who raised you?
Illai vanathin azhagilae mohamaOr are you enamored by the beauty of the forest?
Manadhil viduthalai dhaagamaaIs it a thirst for freedom in your heart?
Manadhil viduthalai dhaagamaaIs it a thirst for freedom in your heart?
Pudhu unarchiyil undaana vegamaaOr a impulse born from a newfound emotion?
Hoo o o hoo o o oHoo o o hoo o o o
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?
Female
Nattil valarndha unnai nambalaamaCan one trust you who grew up in civilized land?
Nandri irukkum endru ennalaamaCan one count on you having gratitude?
Nattil valarndha unnai nambalaamaCan one trust you who grew up in civilized land?
Nandri irukkum endru ennalaamaCan one count on you having gratitude?
Kaattil unakku idam tharalaamaCan we give you shelter in the forest?
Indha kaattil unakku idam tharalaamaCan we give you shelter in this forest?
En kootaaliyaagha unnai kollalaamaaCan I take you in as my companion?
En kootaaliyaagha unnai kollalaamaaCan I take you in as my companion?
Engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come? Where have you come?
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?
Female
Irundha idhathai vittuLeaving behind the place you were in,
Enna ninaithu konduThinking what in your mind,
Indha idam thedi odi vandhaaiDid you run seeking this place?
Engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come? Where have you come?
Nee engae vandhaai engae vandhaaiWhere have you come, you? Where have you come?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a reflective and questioning dialogue directed at a newcomer or creature that has wandered deep into a lonely forest. The speaker ponders what motivated this departure from their original home—whether it was resentment toward caretakers, fascination with wilderness, a deep longing for personal freedom, or a sudden burst of raw emotion. The thematic core revolves around trust, loyalty, and companionship across different worlds. The speaker questions whether someone raised in civilized society can truly be trusted to remain grateful and loyal, while contemplating whether to grant them shelter in the forest and embrace them as a true partner.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannaal idhu varai kaanadha paadhaiyil

The repetition of the 'Ka' sound in 'Kannaal' and 'kaanadha' creates initial alliteration.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nattil valarndha unnai nambalaama / Kaattil unakku idam tharalaama

The second consonant 'tt' in 'Nattil' (line 19) rhymes with 'Kaattil' (line 23).

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Nattil valarndha unnai nambalaama / Kaattil unakku idam tharalaama

Contrast between 'Nattil' (in civilized town) and 'Kaattil' (in wild forest).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

kobama / mohama / dhaagamaa / vegamaa

Matching end sounds in 'kobama', 'mohama', 'dhaagamaa', and 'vegamaa' across the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kongu Nattu Thangam' (1961) was directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced under Devar Films. The film features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi and vocals by legendary singer P. Susheela.

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