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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennai Mudhal Mudhallaga

From Poompuhar · 1964

Lyricist
M. Karunanidhi
Singers
S. Janaki, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Poompuhar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhuWhen you saw me for the very first time,
Enna ninaithaaiWhat did you think?
Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhuWhen you saw me for the very first time,
Enna ninaithaaiWhat did you think?
Female
Naan unnai ninaithaenI thought of you.
Male
En kaigal un mel patta podhuWhen my hands touched you,
Enna unarndhaaiWhat did you feel?
Female :Naan ennai marandhaenFemale: I forgot myself.
Naan ennai marandhaenI forgot myself.
Male
Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhuWhen you saw me for the very first time,
Enna ninaithaaiWhat did you think?
Female
Naan unnai ninaithaenI thought of you.
Male
Kannum kannum kalandha podhuWhen our eyes met each other,
Kaandham kavarndhadhaaDid a magnet attract you?
Kannum kannum kalandha podhuWhen our eyes met each other,
Kaandham kavarndhadhaaDid a magnet attract you?
Female
Yaekaandham parandhadhuSolitude flew away.
Yaekaandham parandhadhuSolitude flew away.
Male
Idhazhum idhazhum nerungum podhuWhen lips came close to lips,
Sugam therindhadhaaDid you feel pleasure?
Female
Illai sorgam therindhadhuNo, I saw heaven itself.
Sorgam therindhadhuI saw heaven itself.
Male
AahaaAahaa
Female
Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhuWhen you saw me for the very first time,
Enna ninaithaaiWhat did you think?
Male
Naan unnai ninaithaenI thought of you.
Female
Kaalamellaam en madiyilTo sleep on my lap forever,
Thoonga vandhavaraeO the one who came...
Kaalamellaam en madiyilTo sleep on my lap forever,
Thoonga vandhavaraeO the one who came...
Kaadhalukku paadam sollaTo teach a lesson in love,
Viraindhu vandhavaraeO the one who rushed here...
Male
Kulir kaala kaatru polaeLike a cool winter breeze,
Kuzhaindhu vandhavalaeO lady who came with tender grace,
Kulir kaala kaatru polaeLike a cool winter breeze,
Kuzhaindhu vandhavalaeO lady who came with tender grace,
Kodi kodi inbam thandhu aadi vandhavalaeO lady who came dancing, bringing endless bliss,
Male
Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhuWhen you saw me for the very first time,
Enna ninaithaaiWhat did you think?
Female
Unnai ninaithaenI thought of you.
Male
Naan unnai ninaithaenI thought of you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet captures a intimate conversation between two lovers reminiscing about the milestone moments of their romance. Through a series of tender questions and fond answers, they recall the moment they first saw each other, their first touch, the spark in their meeting eyes, and their first kiss. The lover asks if the proximity brought mere pleasure, to which the beloved replies that it felt like experiencing heaven itself. The lyricism moves from curiosity to deep emotional unity, portraying love as a gentle winter breeze and a source of boundless happiness. Written by M. Karunanidhi for the epic historical film 'Poompuhar', the song elevates romantic dialogue into poetic expressions of devotion and togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Vinaa-Vidai (Question and Answer Format)

Ennai mudhan mudhalaaga paartha podhu / Enna ninaithaai / Naan unnai ninaithaen

The entire structure of the song is built as a dialogue of poetic questions and loving answers between the hero and heroine.

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Kulir kaala kaatru polae / Kuzhaindhu vandhavalae

The heroine's gentle arrival and loving nature are explicitly compared to a refreshing cool winter breeze using 'polae' (like).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Thoonga vandhavarae / Viraindhu vandhavarae

Lines end with similar sounding rhythmic suffixes ('vandhavarae'), creating a melodious lyrical cadence.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannum kannum kalandha podhu / Kaandham kavarndhadhaa

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words creates melodic harmony in the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poompuhar' (1964) is a cinematic adaptation of the ancient Tamil epic 'Silappathikaram'. The script and lyrics were written by M. Karunanidhi, who later served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The music for the film was composed by R. Sudarsanam, and this classic duet was performed by the legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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