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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Engu Pirandhadhu

From Vishwa Thulasi · 2004

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Tippu, Chinmayi
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vishwa Thulasi
Movie release year
2004
Lyrics added on
16 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Engu pirandhadhu
Engu valarndhadhu
Sippi thandha muthukkal
Indru thoduthadhu
Endru thodarndhadhu
Anbu ennum kattukkul
Indha maalai seiyum kazhuthu
Yaar ezhudhi vaitha ezhuthu
Solladi solladi kannammaa
Kaiyil kidaithadhu
Yaar idhai korthadhu
Ennendru solluvadhu
Indru nadappadhu
Enna vilangudhu
Kaalathin kelvi idhu
Nalla vairam koorum manigalil
Engum mangalam paadum oligalil
Where was it born?
Where did it grow?
These pearls born of an oyster shell,
Strung together today,
Since when has this continued,
Bound within the hold of love?
Which neck is this garland meant for?
Whose written destiny is this?
Tell me, oh tell me, Kannamma!
It has reached my hands,
Who was it that strung it together?
How do I even put it into words?
All that is happening today—
What does it really mean?
This is a question asked by time!
Among the gems shining like fine diamonds,
Among the auspicious sounds echoing everywhere!
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song reflects on the mysterious and divine nature of love and destiny. Using the imagery of pearls created in shells and strung into a beautiful garland, the narrator marvels at how two lives are brought together under the sacred bond of love. The lyrics ask deep philosophical questions about where love originates, how it matures, and who writes the script of human fate. Addressing 'Kannamma' affectionately, the speaker ponders the events unfolding in the present as eternal questions posed by time. Set against an auspicious backdrop of traditional celebrations, the song captures a feeling of wonderment at the pre-ordained connections that shape human relationships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Engu pirandhadhu / Engu valarndhadhu

The repetition of the initial word/sound 'Engu' at the beginning of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic musical start.

Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)

Indru thoduthadhu / Endru thodarndhadhu

The second consonant sound 'ndru' matches across the lines, providing a classical Tamil poetic rhyme scheme.

Metaphor

Sippi thandha muthukkal... Anbu ennum kattukkul

Comparing precious life moments and bonds of affection to rare pearls originating from shells, bound together into a necklace.

Rhetorical Question

Yaar ezhudhi vaitha ezhuthu / Kaalathin kelvi idhu

Posing questions about who wrote fate and framing life events as queries from Time itself to emphasize mysterious destiny.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vishwa Thulasi' (2004) is a notable art-house film starring Mammootty and Nandita Das, directed by Sumathy Ram. The film is famous in Tamil cinema music history because it features music composed jointly by both legends M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. The lyrics for this soulful track were penned by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja himself.

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