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Isaimozhi
Mahanadhi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Engeyo Thikkudesai

From Mahanadhi · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Kamal Haasan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Mahanadhi
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
7 Jun 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………………………
………………………………..
Engaeyo dhikku dhesa
Kaanaadha dhooram thaan
Yemmaadi vandhadhenna
En vaazhkkai odam thaan
Kaaveri theeram vittu
Kaalgal vandhadhadi
Kaanaadha sogam ellaam
Kangal kandadhadi
Kai maari naan valartha
Pachai kili ponadhu
Kannaara naanum kaana
Ithanai naal aanadhu
Iru kannae senthamizh thaenae
Thandhaiyin paasam vendradhadi
Pasum ponnae sevvandhi poovae
Iththudan sogam sendradhadi
Naan gangaa nadhiyai
Kaanum pozhudhu
Unmai vilangudhu
Ada ingae kulikkum
Manidhan azhukkil
Gangal kalangudhu
Sila pollaa manangal paava karaiyai
Neeril kazhuvudhu
Indha muttaal thanathai engae solli
Naanum azhuvadhu…
...
...
Somewhere in an unknown direction,
To a distance far beyond sight,
Oh my child, how did it drift so far—
This fragile boat of my life?
Leaving the familiar banks of the Kaveri,
My feet have wandered all this way, my child.
Sorrows I had never imagined before,
My eyes have witnessed them all, my child.
Passing into other hands, the one I raised,
My little green parrot went away.
For me to finally see you with my own eyes,
It has taken all these long days.
My very eyes, my sweet honey of Tamil,
A father's enduring love has triumphed, my child.
My pure gold, my red chrysanthemum blossom,
With this, all our sorrow has departed.
As I stand and gaze upon
The holy River Ganges,
The ultimate truth becomes clear.
Ah, looking at the filth of humanity
Who bathe right here,
Even Mother Ganges sheds tears of dismay.
Wicked hearts try to wash the stains of their sins
In these sacred waters.
To whom can I express this foolishness,
And weep over it all?
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from the film 'Mahanadhi' captures the deep grief and ultimate emotional redemption of a father separated from his beloved daughter. Reflecting on his tragic life journey—metaphorically described as a boat drifting away from the peaceful banks of the Kaveri river—he expresses the immense anguish and hardship he endured while searching for his missing child. Upon finding her, he rejoices, declaring that a father's unconditional love has triumphed over all miseries.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“En vaazhkkai odam thaan”

Compares life to a helpless boat drifting along unknown currents.

Endearment / Metaphor

“Pachai kili ponadhu”

Refers to the beloved daughter metaphorically as a 'green parrot' ('Pachai kili') that was raised lovingly but lost.

Personification

“Gangal kalangudhu”

Personifies the sacred river Ganges as being visibly distressed, troubled, and clouded by human sins and filth.

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

“vandhadhadi / kandadhadi / sendradhadi”

The line endings share a rhythmic and rhyming suffix ('-adhadi') creating melodic flow.

Keep listening

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