- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Isai Paadum Thendral
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Endhan Kaikkuttaiyai' is a playful and romantic duet centered on a handkerchief given as a sacred love token. The protagonist playfully accuses his beloved of taking back the handkerchief she gifted him, while she reminisces about the love, devotion, and intricate embroidery she poured into creating it as a vessel for her heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (Rhyming Refrain)
“Vazhakkam illai / Pazhakkam illai / vilakkam illai”
Repetition of the suffix 'illai' across consecutive words creates a rhythmic and melodic ending harmony.
Metaphor
“En idhayathai thaan thandhaen”
The heroine compares the embroidered handkerchief to her own heart, implying that gifting the cloth was symbolically surrendering her heart.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Vazhakkam / Pazhakkam”
The second consonant sound 'zha' matches between consecutive words, adding internal poetic resonance.
Personification / Hyperbole
“Kannin imaiyaal thandhi adithaen”
The act of fluttering eyelashes is poetically likened to sending a telegraph message.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali, this song cleverly uses an everyday object—a handkerchief—as a central romantic metaphor. Although listed in some archives under 1976, 'Isai Paadum Thendral' was released in 1986 with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
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