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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engiruntho

From Bramma · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bramma1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engirundho ilangkuyilinHearing the sweet music of a young cuckoo from somewhere
Innisai kettu kanvizhithenI woke up from my sleep
Ninaivu alaigalWhen waves of memories
Manathil ezhumbum neramRise within the heart
Thatti vitten manakkadhavaiI have knocked on the door of your heart
Thirandu paarkka virainthu vaaHurry to open and look
Nenjam undhan nenjamSo that your heart, your heart
Konda sanjalangal maraiya…May be cleared of all its anxieties...
Male
Engirundho ilangkuyilinHearing the sweet music of a young cuckoo from somewhere
Innisai kettu kanvizhithenI woke up from my sleep
Chorus
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…
Male
Neengaamal dhaanaeWithout ever leaving you
Nizhalpola naanaeJust like a shadow, I
Varuven un pinnoduWill follow right behind you
EnnaalumdhaanForever and ever
Male
Poopondra manadhaiA gentle, flower-like heart
Pollaadha manadhaaiAs a cruel or wicked heart
Thavaraaga edaippottuEven if you judge incorrectly
SendraalumdhaanAnd turn away from me
Male
Paalai pola kallum koodaEven toddy/liquor looks white like milk
VenmaiyaanadhuIn its outer whiteness
Parugidaadhu vilangidaadhuIt cannot be drunk like milk nor easily understood
UnmaiyaanadhuYet that is the truth
Male
Neeyum kaana koodumYou too will come to realize
Ingu orr dhinamHere one fine day
Indha paal manamThis pure, milk-like heart
Engirundho ilangkuyilinHearing the sweet music of a young cuckoo from somewhere
Innisai kettu kanvizhithenI woke up from my sleep
Chorus
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaaa….aaa…
Male
Poorveegam unakkuWhatever your origin or past may be
Edhuvendru enakkuEven if you hide it from me
Maraithaalum en kangalWill my eyes
YemaarumaaEver be deceived?
Male
Puriyaadha pudhiraaiLike an incomprehensible riddle
Vilangaadha vidaiyaiLike an unexplainable answer
Irundaalum unmaigalEven if it remains obscure, can the truth
PoiyaagumaaEver become a lie?
Male
Ennaikkandu achcham kollaTo feel afraid upon seeing me
Thevai illaiyaeThere is no need at all
Veli meedhu kutram sonnaBlaming the surrounding fence
Thottam illaiyaeDoes not negate the existence of the garden
Male
Nanban endru ennai yerkkumThe day you accept me as a friend
Naal varumWill surely come
Andha naal varumThat day will definitely arrive
Male
Engirundho ilangkuyilinHearing the sweet music of a young cuckoo from somewhere
Innisai kettu kanvizhithenI woke up from my sleep
Ninaivu alaigalWhen waves of memories
Manathil ezhumbum neramRise within the heart
Thatti vitten manakkadhavaiI have knocked on the door of your heart
Thirandu paarkka virainthu vaaHurry to open and look
Nenjam undhan nenjamSo that your heart, your heart
Konda sanjalangal maraiya…May be cleared of all its anxieties...
Male
Engirundho ilangkuyilinHearing the sweet music of a young cuckoo from somewhere
Innisai kettu kanvizhithenI woke up from my sleep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Engirundho Ilangkuyilin is a soulful melody from the 1991 Tamil movie Bramma. The song reflects a gentle, soothing plea of reassurance and emotional connection. The speaker awakens to nostalgic memories triggered by the distant song of a cuckoo and knocks on the listener's heart to relieve them of their deep seated worries and mistrust. Throughout the verses, the speaker reassures the listener of unwavering devotion, remaining like a faithful shadow even when misunderstood. Addressing doubts, hidden pasts, and misjudgments, the speaker uses metaphors of nature and truth to convey that inner purity cannot be hidden or altered forever, expressing confidence that understanding and true friendship will triumph in the end.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Nizhalpola naanae

Compares the constant, devoted presence of the speaker to a shadow ('nizhalpola').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Poopondra manadhai / Indha paal manam

Compares a pure and gentle heart to a soft flower ('poopondra') and white milk ('paal manam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ninaivu alaigal

Compares memories to rising ocean waves ('alaigal') surging in the mind.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Poorveegam unakku / Maraithaalum en kangal

Repetition of initial soft consonantal rhythm across paired ideas.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Naal varum / Andha naal varum

Repetition of ending words to emphasize the hopeful certainty of the coming day.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in the query prompt, Bramma (1991) features a renowned soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the legendary Vaali. The film stars Sathyaraj and Kushboo in the lead roles, and this particular track is widely appreciated for its soothing orchestration and reflective lyricism.

Keep listening

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