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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engiruntho Vandha

From Sujatha · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sujatha1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!
Sonthamillaatha uravugalaeO bonds formed without any blood relation!
Thodarattum namathu ninaivugalaeMay our cherished memories continue forever!
Sonthamillaatha uravugalaeO bonds formed without any blood relation!
Thodarattum namathu ninaivugalaeMay our cherished memories continue forever!
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!
Female
Vaalipamae mangalamae naalai evvidamoO youth, O auspicious time, where will we be tomorrow?
Vaazhkkai ennum sannithiyil yaarum yaarudanoIn the sanctum of life, who truly belongs to whom?
Vaalipamae mangalamae naalai evvidamoO youth, O auspicious time, where will we be tomorrow?
Vaazhkkai ennum sannithiyil yaarum yaarudanoIn the sanctum of life, who truly belongs to whom?
Female
Anbinil yaavarum saernthirupomWe all remained united together in pure love.
Aadiyum paadiyum vaazhnthirupomWe lived happily, dancing and singing together.
Aayiram ennangal valarththirunthomWe nurtured thousands of hopes and thoughts in our hearts.
Aayinum pirinthae odugindromYet, we now run apart, separated from each other.
Aayinum pirinthae odugindromYet, we now run apart, separated from each other.
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!
Female
Bedhaigalaai nyaanamindri ingu vanthennaWhat was the purpose of arriving here as simple fools without wisdom?
Medhaigalaai nyaanigalaai indru sovathennaWhat is the point of grieving today after becoming intellectuals and sages?
Naalaiya ulagam nam vasamaeTomorrow's world is within our grasp.
Nallathum theeyathum nammidamaeBoth the good and the bad lie within us.
Yaezhigalum ini selvargalaeEven the impoverished shall become wealthy hereafter.
Yaeruvathellaam irakkamillaiYet, everything that rises lacks mercy and compassion.
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!
Female
Aasaiyilo kadhalilo nooril ondriranduIn worldly desires or romantic love, true bonds are barely one or two in a hundred.
Annan ena thangai ena naamum vaazhnthathunduYet we lived together purely as brother and sister.
Kambanai pol oru annan unduI have an elder brother who is as noble and poetic as Kamban.
Kavithaiyil solvaar mannar endruIn poetic verses, people refer to him as a king.
Ennugiraen avan mugaththai indruI envision his face in my thoughts today.
Yaengugiren avan pirivu kanduI yearn for him, agonized by our separation.
Female
Engiruntho vantha paravaigalaeO birds that came from somewhere unknown!
Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalaeO how many delightful, joyful dreams!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song uses the metaphor of migratory birds arriving from distant lands to reflect on human relationships, fleeting youth, and the inevitability of parting ways. The singer reminisces about precious moments spent with companions who, despite having no blood relation, formed deep emotional ties. The lyrics express philosophical reflections on life's unpredictable trajectory, questioning who truly belongs to whom as time moves forward.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhu)

Engiruntho vantha paravaigalae

Human beings coming together temporarily in life are poetically metaphorized as migratory birds arriving from unknown places.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Engiruntho vantha paravaigalae / Eththanaiyo inba kanavugalae

The matching end suffixes ('-gae' / '-alae') create a lyrical rhythm typical of classical Tamil songwriting.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Bedhaigalaai nyaanamindri ingu vanthenna / Medhaigalaai nyaanigalaai indru sovathenna

The second consonant 'dha' (da) rhymes across both lines ('Bedhaigalaai' and 'Medhaigalaai').

Allusion (Kurippani)

Kambanai pol oru annan undu

Refers to Kamban, the legendary medieval Tamil poet who wrote the Kamba Ramayanam, to elevate the status and nobility of the elder brother figure.

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Trivia

'Engiruntho vantha paravaigalae' features music by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics by Kannadasan, a celebrated duo in Tamil cinema history. Sung expressively by P. Susheela, the song captures Kannadasan's signature philosophical style where deep life lessons are integrated seamlessly into personal nostalgia.

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