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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennai Vittal

From Naalai Namadhe · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Naalai Namadhe1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling
Unnai vittaal vaeroruthiBesides you, no other woman
Ennamillai naan kaadhalikkaIs in my thoughts for me to love
Unnai vittaal vaeroruthiBesides you, no other woman
Ennamillai naan kaadhalikkaIs in my thoughts for me to love
Muthu muthaai neeradherkkuWhen you shower in water like pearls
Naanillaiyo kanneer thudaippadharkkuAm I not there to wipe away your tears?
Male
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling
Male
Yaanaiyin dhandhamLike the ivory of an elephant
Kadaindheduthaar polSculpted into perfection
Angamelaam or minu minuppuYour entire body glows with a radiance
Yaanaiyin dhandhamLike the ivory of an elephant
Kadaindheduthaar polSculpted into perfection
Angamelaam or minu minuppuYour entire body glows with a radiance
Azhaghar malaiyin silaigalil ondruLike one of the statues of Azhagar Hills
Vandhu nindraar pol oru ninaippuIt feels as though you came and stood here
Male
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling
Male
Kaalazhagellaam kaattiya vannamRevealing all the beauty of your legs
Kalaiyazhagae nee nadandhaayoOh artistic beauty, did you walk like that?
Melazhagellaam moodiyadhennaWhy did you cover up all the beauty above?
Kan padum endrae ninaithaayoDid you think someone would cast an evil eye?
Male
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling
Male
Raathiri neram ragasiya kadidhamIn the quiet of the night, a secret letter
Ezhudhida vendum idaiyoduMust be written upon your waist
Poothiri kuraithu yettriya dheebamA lamp softly lit with a trimmed wick
Ponnoli sindhum iravoduIn the night shedding its golden glow
Male
Ennai vittaal yaarum illaiBesides me, there is no one
Kan maniyae un kaiyanaikkaTo hold your hand, my darling

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song from 'Naalai Namadhe' (1975) expresses the exclusive love and passionate connection between two lovers. The male lead proclaims that no one else is suited to embrace his beloved, and no other woman occupies his heart or thoughts. He affectionately assures her of his care, asking if he isn't the one destined to wipe away her tears. Using vivid imagery, the lyricist Vaali glorifies the heroine's physical beauty, comparing her delicate complexion to sculpted ivory and her graceful form to divine temple statues from Azhagar Kovil. The song transitions into playful courtship about modesty, avoiding the evil eye ('kan padum'), and intimate romantic moments beneath the golden light of a night lamp.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Yaanaiyin dhandham kadaindheduthaar pol

The heroine's smooth, lustrous skin is compared to finely carved elephant ivory using the comparative particle 'pol'.

Cultural Allusion & Simile

Azhaghar malaiyin silaigalil ondru vandhu nindraar pol

Compares her sculpted beauty to the famous artistic stone sculptures found at Azhagar Kovil temple near Madurai.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ennai vittaal yaarum illai / Ennamillai naan kaadhalikka

Repetition of the initial letter 'E' (Ennai / Ennamillai) across corresponding lines creates rhythmic harmony.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Kalaiyazhagae nee nadandhaayo / Kan padum endrae ninaithaayo

The rhyming end sounds ('nadandhaayo' and 'ninaithaayo') establish a smooth musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in the query, 'Naalai Namadhe' (1975) features music composed by the iconic duo/composer M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics written by Vaali. The song 'Ennai Vittaal Yaarum Illai' was originally sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. The film is an official Tamil remake of the 1973 Hindi hit 'Yaadon Ki Baaraat' and stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) alongside Latha.

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