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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engengum Un Vannam

From Kannamma · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kannamma1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.
Paaduvadho un mozhiyaeThe song I sing is your language,
Theduvadho un nizhalae kannamaaThe shadow I seek is yours, Oh Kannamma!
Male
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.
Male
Muthu sippi polaeLike a pearl oyster,
Kann moodi konda podhumEven when I close my eyes,
Moodi konda kannil endhanWithin those closed eyes, my
Ennam vandhu modhumThoughts of you come crashing in.
Male
Maunathil vaarthai sollamaSpeak words through your silence,
En nenjathil endrum nillammaAnd stay forever in my heart, my dear.
Maunathil vaarthai sollamaSpeak words through your silence,
En nenjathil endrum nillamma kannamaAnd stay forever in my heart, Oh Kannamma!
Male
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.
Male
Thaagam endru sonnenI told you I was thirsty,
Nee thanneer tharavillaiYet you did not offer me water.
Mogam endru sonna pinnumEven after I confessed my desire,
Mutham tharavillaiYou did not grant me a kiss.
Male
Thaagathai theerthu vidammaEither quench my thirst, my dear,
Illai mogathai kondru vidamma kannamaOr destroy this desire within me, Oh Kannamma!
Male
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.
Paaduvadho un mozhiyaeThe song I sing is your language,
Theduvadho un nizhalae kannamaaThe shadow I seek is yours, Oh Kannamma!
Male
Engengum un vannamWherever I look, it is your image,
Angellam en ennamAnd in all those places, my thoughts reside.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song captures the deep devotion and intense longing of a lover for his beloved, addressed endearingly as Kannamma. He describes how her presence fills his vision and mind wherever he goes. Even when he closes his eyes like a shut oyster shell, thoughts of her flood his inner world. He pleads with her to communicate through her silence and remain in his heart forever. Expressing his emotional thirst and passion, he urges her to either fulfill his yearning or put an end to his agony, highlighting the sweet anguish of unrequited affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Engengum un vannam / Angellam en ennam

The second letters 'ng' (ங) in 'Engengum' and 'Angellam' rhyme, creating a rhythmic harmony.

Simile

Muthu sippi polae

The imagery compares eyes shutting gently to a pearl oyster shell closing.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Paaduvadho un mozhiyae / Theduvadho un nizhalae

The lines end with matching rhyming endings 'mozhiyae' and 'nizhalae'.

Monai (Alliteration)

Thaagam endru sonnen ... / Thaagathai theerthu vidamma

Repetition of the initial sound 'Th' across related lines for poetic effect.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features soothing vocals by legendary playback singer P. B. Sreenivas, tuned by the iconic duo Shankar-Ganesh and written by Poet Laureate Kannadasan, who frequently used the name 'Kannamma' as a tribute to Mahakavi Bharathiyar's famous poetic persona.

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