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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engirunthalum Vaazhga

From Nenjil Or Aalayam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. L. Raghavan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nenjil Or Aalayam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Engirunthaalum vaazhga } (2){ Wherever you are, long may you live } (2)
Un idhayam amaidhiyil vaazhgaMay your heart live in peace
Manjal valathudan vaazhgaMay you live with the prosperity of turmeric
Un mangala kungumam vaazhgaMay your sacred vermilion live long
Vaazhga vaazhgaLong live, long live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live
Un idhayam amaidhiyil vaazhgaMay your heart live in peace
Manjal valathudan vaazhgaMay you live with the prosperity of turmeric
Un mangala kungumam vaazhgaMay your sacred vermilion live long
Vaazhga vaazhgaLong live, long live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live
Male
{ Ingae{ Here
Oruvan kaathirunthaalumEven if a man waits for you
Ilamai azhagai paarthirunthaalum } (2)Even if he admires the beauty of youth } (2)
Male
SendraReminiscing
Naalai ninaithirunthaalumAbout the days that have passed
Thirumagalae nee vaazhgaOh divine goddess, long may you live
Vaazhga vaazhgaLong live, long live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live
Male
{ Varuvai{ Thinking you would come,
Yena naan thanimaiyilI stood in solitude,
Nindren vanthadhu vandhaiYou came as expected,
Thunaiyudan vanthaai } (2)But you came with a companion } (2)
Male
ThunaivaraiTo your companion
Kaakum kadamaiyumThe duty to save him
Thanthaai thooyavalaeYou gave to me, oh pure woman
Nee vaazhga vaazhgaMay you live long, live long
VaazhgaLong live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live
Male
YetriyaThe lit
Deepam nilaiLamp must stay
Pera vendumSteadfast and bright
Irunda veetil oliIn a dark home, light
Thara vendumMust be given
Male
PotrumHonored
Kanavan uyirHusband's life
Pera vendumMust be saved
Ponmagalae neeOh golden maiden, you
Vaazhga vaazhga vaazhgaLong live, long live, long live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live
Un idhayam amaidhiyil vaazhgaMay your heart live in peace
Manjal valathudan vaazhgaMay you live with the prosperity of turmeric
Un mangala kungumam vaazhgaMay your sacred vermilion live long
Vaazhga vaazhgaLong live, long live
Male
Engirunthaalum vaazhgaWherever you are, long may you live

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track from the classic movie 'Nenjil Or Aalayam' expresses noble, self-sacrificing love. The protagonist, a doctor, encounters his former sweetheart after a long separation, only to discover that her husband is now a terminally ill patient under his care. Rather than harboring bitterness or grief over lost love, he selflessly wishes her a blessed and blissful married life. He acknowledges his past longing for her, yet accepts his solemn responsibility as a doctor to save her husband's life. The song highlights cultural symbols of marital auspiciousness such as 'Manjal' (turmeric) and 'Kungumam' (vermilion), framing his love not as possessiveness, but as a pure wish for her lifelong happiness and light in her household.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Repetition)

Un idhayam amaidhiyil vaazhga / Manjal valathudan vaazhga / Un mangala kungumam vaazhga

The term 'vaazhga' (may you live long) is repeatedly used at the end of consecutive lines to create rhythmic reinforcement and emphasize sincere blessings.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaakum kadamaiyum / Thanthaai thooyavalae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Ka' in 'Kaakum' and 'Kadamaiyum', and 'Tha/Thoo' in 'Thanthaai' and 'Thooyavalae'.

Metaphor

Yetriya Deepam nilai Pera vendum / Irunda veetil oli Thara vendum

The lit lamp ('Yetriya Deepam') and light in a dark house ('Irunda veetil oli') serve as metaphors for the wife's role in sustaining marital joy and bringing life to the husband's household.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Engirunthaalum Vaazhga' is one of the most famous tracks written by Kannadasan and sung by A. L. Raghavan for the 1962 blockbuster 'Nenjil Or Aalayam', composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The entire movie was famously shot in a single hospital set in just 28 days.

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