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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engeyo Paartha Mugam

From Nil Kavani Kaathali · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nil Kavani Kaathali1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engaeyoo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Engaeyo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Iru vizhi maedaiyil ezhudhiya oviyamA painting etched upon the stage of two eyes,
Iru vizhi maedaiyil ezhudhiya oviyamA painting etched upon the stage of two eyes,
Pudhu nialvoo poocharamooIs she a new moon, or a garland of flowers?
Madhu malaro maanikkamooIs she a honeyed blossom, or a precious ruby?
Engaeyoo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Engaeyo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Female
Haa…aaaa…aaaAh…aaaa…aaa
Male
Ezhundhae nadanthaal mayil thaan ivalooIf she rises and walks, is she a graceful peacock?
Kanivaai mozhindhaal kural thaan kuyilooIf she speaks sweetly, is her voice that of a cuckoo?
Kalaikkoru kovil ival thaanooIs she a shrine built for art itself?
Kalaikkoru kovil ival thaanooIs she a shrine built for art itself?
Oorvasiyo maenagaiyooIs she Urvashi or Menaka?
Vaan piraiyoo thaargaiyooIs she the celestial crescent moon or a shining star?
Male
Iru vizhi maedaiyil ezhudhiya oviyamA painting etched upon the stage of two eyes,
Pudhu nialvoo poocharamooIs she a new moon, or a garland of flowers?
Madhu malaro maanikkamooIs she a honeyed blossom, or a precious ruby?
Engaeyoo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Engaeyo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Male
Nizhal pol kuzhal thaanHer dark hair falls like shade,
Kudai pol amaiyaFormed like a protective umbrella,
Thalir poongodi pollLike a tender flowering vine,
Idaithaan asaiyaHer slender waist sways,
Valaikaram aada varuvaalooWill she come dancing, swaying her bangled hands?
Valaikaram aada varuvaalooWill she come dancing, swaying her bangled hands?
Oor mayangum paer azhagooIs she a grand beauty that mesmerizes the whole town?
Odi varum thaer azhagooIs she the captivating sight of a rolling temple chariot?
Male
Iru vizhi maedaiyil ezhudhiya oviyamA painting etched upon the stage of two eyes,
Pudhu nialvoo poocharamooIs she a new moon, or a garland of flowers?
Madhu malaro maanikkamooIs she a honeyed blossom, or a precious ruby?
Engaeyoo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before,
Engaeyo paartha mugamA face seen somewhere before.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Engaeyoo Paartha Mugam' from the 1969 film Nil Kavani Kaathali is an ethereal romantic melody capturing the feeling of awe and fascination upon seeing a beautiful woman. The protagonist experiences an intense sense of deja vu, feeling as though he has seen her face before, etched vividly into his mind like a fine painting displayed across his eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Iru vizhi maedaiyil ezhudhiya oviyam

Compares the eyes to a stage and the memory of her face to a master painting drawn upon it.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Nizhal pol kuzhal thaan / Kudai pol amaiya / Thalir poongodi poll

Uses explicit comparative words ('pol', 'poll') comparing her hair to comforting shade and an umbrella, and her waist to a delicate flowering vine.

Aiyavani (Poetic Doubt / Rhetorical Questioning)

Pudhu nialvoo poocharamoo / Madhu malaro maanikkamoo

Expresses poetic uncertainty ('-oo' suffix), wondering if she is a new moon, a garland, a honey blossom, or a gem.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Pudhu nialvoo poocharamoo / Madhu malaro maanikkamoo

The repetitive trailing 'oo' sound at the end of consecutive lines creates a melodic end-rhyming harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nil Kavani Kaathali' (1969) is a stylish Tamil spy thriller starring Jaishankar and Bharathi, directed by C. V. Rajendran. Singer P. B. Sreenivas was considered the signature screen voice for Jaishankar during the late 1960s, known for delivering soft, romantic melodies composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrical brilliance by Vaali.

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