Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Azhagu

From Sivagamiyin Selvan · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sivagamiyin Selvan1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ammammaa udalengum silirkkudhuOh my, my entire body shivers with excitement,
Angangae ilamaiyum thudikkudhuYouthfulness throbs in every limb,
Male
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ammammaa udalengum silirkkudhuOh my, my entire body shivers with excitement,
Angangae ilamaiyum thudikkudhuYouthfulness throbs in every limb,
Male
Dhinam vandhu konjumComing to caress every single day,
Malar konda manjamThe bed made of delicate flowers,
Dhinam vandhu konjumComing to caress every single day,
Malar konda manjamThe bed made of delicate flowers,
Idhazh ketkum inbam irundhaalum anjumThough the lips seek pleasure, hesitation and fear remain,
Ammammaa udalengum silirkkudhuOh my, my entire body shivers with excitement,
Aanaalum acham thaan thadukkudhuYet, it is fear alone that holds me back,
Male
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Male
Udhattu kanikkulInside the fruit-like lips,
Aa irukkum sivappu ohoAh, the vibrant red hue that resides, oho,
Udhattu kanikkulInside the fruit-like lips,
Irukkum sivappuThe vibrant red hue that resides,
Vizhikkul nadakkumUnfolding right before the eyes,
Virundhai padaikkumIt serves a grand visual feast,
Vizhikkul nadakkumUnfolding right before the eyes,
Virundhai padaikkumIt serves a grand visual feast,
Male
Senthaazham poo malaravumAs the red screwpine flower blooms,
Sindhaamal thaen parugavum ae… hae…To sip nectar without spilling a drop, ae... hae...
Senthaazham poo malaravumAs the red screwpine flower blooms,
Sindhaamal thaen parugavumTo sip nectar without spilling a drop,
Orae sugam dhinam dhinam varum varumThe same singular bliss will arrive day after day,
Orae sugam dhinam dhinam varum varumThe same singular bliss will arrive day after day,
Male
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Male
Anaithu chuvaikkumTo embrace and taste,
Ninaippil thudikkum ohoThrobbing with passion at the mere thought, oho,
Anaithu chuvaikkumTo embrace and taste,
Ninaippil thudikkumThrobbing with passion at the mere thought,
Manathil nadukkam vilakki thadukkumThe trembling in the mind pushes away and holds back,
Manathil nadukkam vilakki thadukkumThe trembling in the mind pushes away and holds back,
Male
Pen paavai thaan kani rasamThe young maiden herself is sweet fruit juice,
Kan paarvai thaan madhu rasam ae… hae…Her tender glance is intoxicating honey nectar, ae... hae...
Pen paavai thaan kani rasamThe young maiden herself is sweet fruit juice,
Kan paarvai thaan madhu rasamHer tender glance is intoxicating honey nectar,
Orae sugam dhinam dhinam varum varumThe same singular bliss will arrive day after day,
Orae sugam dhinam dhinam varum varumThe same singular bliss will arrive day after day,
Male
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhuHow it strikes and steals the heart!
Ethanai azhagu kotti kidakkudhuSo much beauty lies spilled all around,
Eppadi manasai thatti parikkudhu hooHow it strikes and steals the heart! Hoo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sensual, romantic expression of beauty, passion, and bashful longing. The speaker describes how overwhelming physical beauty steals the heart and causes an involuntary shiver of thrill throughout the body. While there is a deep yearning for intimacy, a natural shyness and playful fear temporarily hold the lover back from fully indulging. Through poetic imagery of blooming flowers, sweet fruit lips, and intoxicating glances, legendary lyricist Kannadasan captures the thrilling rush of youthful love. The song balances intense physical attraction with gentle, modest restraint, promising that the bliss of their bond will continuously endure day after day.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ammammaa udalengum silirkkudhu / Angangae ilamaiyum thudikkudhu

The lines end with matching rhyming verbs 'silirkkudhu' (shivers) and 'thudikkudhu' (throbs), providing a rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Udhattu kanikkul

Compares soft, red lips directly to ripe fruit ('Udhattu kani') without explicit comparison words.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pen paavai thaan kani rasam / Kan paarvai thaan madhu rasam

Equates the young woman to sweet fruit juice ('kani rasam') and her glance to intoxicating nectar ('madhu rasam').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vizhikkul nadakkum / Virundhai padaikkum

Both lines share the same starting consonant sound ('Vi-'), creating auditory harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic track is from the 1974 Tamil film 'Sivagamiyin Selvan', starring Sivaji Ganesan, Latha, and Vanisri. The music for the film was composed by the legendary maestro M. S. Viswanathan, featuring lyrics penned by the iconic Kavinar Kannadasan.

Keep listening

More from Sivagamiyin Selvan