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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enthan Karpanai Theril

From Sri Ramajayam · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, T. L. Maharajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sri Ramajayam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enthan karpanai theril ulla karpoora poovaeO camphor flower seated in the chariot of my imagination!
Suvai karpaga saaraai nee thiththippathennaWhy do you taste so sweet like the nectar of the heavenly tree?
Enthan karpanai theril ulla karpoora poovaeO camphor flower seated in the chariot of my imagination!
Suvai karpaga saaraai nee thiththippathennaWhy do you taste so sweet like the nectar of the heavenly tree?
Female
Inikkindra kaamathenu paalaiIs it because you bathe by pouring over yourself
Kotti kulikkindrthaalaethe sweet milk of Kamadhenu (the divine cow)?
Suvaikkindra seva amuthinaiOr is it because you drink only
Mattum kudikkindrathaalaethe delicious nectar of life and love?
Female
Inikkindra kaamathenu paalaiIs it because you bathe by pouring over yourself
Kotti kulikkindrthaalaethe sweet milk of Kamadhenu?
Suvaikkindra seva amuthinaiOr is it because you drink only
Mattum kudikkindrathaalaethe delicious nectar of life and love?
Male
Kaamadevanin baanamThe arrow of Kamadeva, the god of love,
Unthan poovizhiyaagumis none other than your flower-like eyes.
Sorkka logangal yaavumAll the heavenly worlds seem to
Unthan meanikkul aadumdance within your graceful form.
Female
Enthan karpanai koyilYou are the golden statue enshrined
Konda porsilai neeyaein the temple of my imagination.
Pala arputha paadam nee karppipathennaWhy are you teaching me so many wonderful lessons of love?
Male
Thangam minnum maeniA body glittering like pure gold,
Inbam ennum maedaia stage named true bliss,
Angu vanthu naan aadavo…oo….shall I come there and dance?
Thangam minnum maeniA body glittering like pure gold,
Inbam ennum maedaia stage named true bliss,
Angu vanthu naan aadavo…oo….shall I come there and dance?
Yevvanaththin veedu nenjil iru kooduYouth's sanctuary, two nests in the heart,
Yevvanaththin veedu nenjil iru kooduyouth's sanctuary, two nests in the heart,
Mogaththai thaalaattavoshall I lull this infatuation to sleep?
Female
Melam kotta vidungalLet the wedding drums beat!
Thaali katti vidungalTie the sacred knot!
Kadhal kattilidungalSet up the bed of love!
Aadum thottilidungalAnd swing the nursery cradle!
Male
Enthan karpanai theril ulla karpoora poovaeO camphor flower seated in the chariot of my imagination!
Suvai karpaga saaraai nee thiththippathennaWhy do you taste so sweet like the nectar of the heavenly tree?
Female
Antharaththai aalum indhiranun kolamThe majestic, regal look of Lord Indra who rules the sky—
Ungalukku yaar thanthathi…oo…who gave such a splendid form to you?
Antharaththai aalum indhiranun kolamThe majestic, regal look of Lord Indra who rules the sky—
Ungalukku yaar thanthathi…oo…who gave such a splendid form to you?
Angamurum aadai thannai meerum paarvaiA piercing gaze that transcends the garments adorning your body,
Angamurum aadai thannai meerum paarvaia piercing gaze that transcends the garments adorning your body,
Kangalukku yaen vanthatho…why did it come to your captivating eyes?
Male
Kani muttrum irunthumEven with the whole fruit present,
Sulai mattum arunthumenjoying only the sweet pulp within,
Kala yaavum arinthaknowledgeable in all the fine arts,
Oru medhiyadi naanI am an enlightened lover.
Female
Enthan karpanai koyilYou are the golden statue enshrined
Konda porsilai neeyaein the temple of my imagination.
Pala arputha paadam nee karppipathennaWhy are you teaching me so many wonderful lessons of love?
Male
Enthan karpanai theril ulla karpoora poovaeO camphor flower seated in the chariot of my imagination!
Suvai karpaga saaraai nee thiththippathennaWhy do you taste so sweet like the nectar of the heavenly tree?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply romantic and poetic duet between two lovers expressing their intense attraction, admiration, and desire for union. The male lover praises his beloved as a golden statue residing in the temple of his imagination, marveling at her sweetness and comparing her beauty to divine elements like the Karpaga tree, Kamadhenu's milk, and the arrows of Kamadeva.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Enthan karpanai theril ulla karpoora poovae

Compares the beloved directly to a fragrant 'camphor flower' (karpoora poovae) riding in the speaker's 'chariot of imagination' (karpanai ther).

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Enthan karpanai koyil Konda porsilai neeyae

Refers to the beloved as a 'golden statue' (porsilai) enshrined inside the 'temple of imagination' (karpanai koyil).

Allusion / Simile (Upamai)

Antharaththai aalum indhiranun kolam

Alludes to the king of gods, Indra, comparing the hero's regal appearance to the divine splendour of Lord Indra.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Melam kotta vidungal / Thaali katti vidungal / Kadhal kattilidungal / Aadum thottilidungal

The rhythmic ending '-idungal / -ungal' across consecutive lines creates a delightful end-rhyme structure symbolizing the progression of married life.

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Trivia

The song is composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan for the 1979 Tamil film 'Sri Ramajayam'. It is rendered by T. L. Maharajan (son of the iconic playback singer T. M. Soundararajan) alongside B. S. Sasireka. Kannadasan masterfully weaves classical Hindu mythological concepts—such as Kamadhenu, Karpaga Vriksham, Indra, and Kamadeva—into a contemporary romantic context.

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