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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Mugamo

From Magane Nee Vazhga · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Magane Nee Vazhga1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ethanai mugamoo unakkuHow many faces do you have?
Dhinam ethanai gunamo enakkuDaily, how many moods do I have to bear?
Athanaiyum pazhanganakkuAll of that is an old account now.
Indru samarasamaanadhu vazhakkuToday, our dispute has reached a peaceful compromise.
Indru samarasamaanadhu vazhakkuToday, our dispute has reached a peaceful compromise.
Female
Idhayam edhaiyo ninaikkindradhuMy heart is yearning for something unknown.
En ennam engoo parakkindrathuMy thoughts fly off to somewhere far away.
Edhaiyum unnidam maraikkavillaaiI have not hidden anything from you.
Edhaiyum unnidam maraikkavillaaiI have not hidden anything from you.
Adhu innum unakkaen puriyavillaiWhy do you still fail to understand that?
Female
Ethanai mugamo unakkuHow many faces do you have?
Dhinam ethanai gunamo enakkuDaily, how many moods do I have to bear?
Female
Annai yettriya deepamidhuThis is the lamp lit by a mother.
Un annai yettriya deepamidhuThis is the lamp lit by your mother.
Idhai andrae iraivan ezhudhiyadhuGod wrote this destiny on that very day.
Un manam idhanai ariyaadhuYour mind does not realize this truth.
Oomaiyin baashai puriyadhuThe speech of a mute person is hard to understand.
Indha oomaiyin baashai puriyadhuThis language of a mute person remains uncomprehended.
Female
Ethanai mugamo unakkuHow many faces do you have?
Dhinam ethanai gunamo enakkuDaily, how many moods do I have to bear?
Female
Maadha enbaval thaaiyallaThe mother is not merely a mother,
Un manaivi enbavalum thunaiyallaAnd the woman called your wife is not merely a companion.
Maadha enbaval thaaiyallaThe mother is not merely a mother,
Un manaivi enbavalum thunaiyallaAnd the woman called your wife is not merely a companion.
Yaarthaan unakku uravendraalIf you ask who is truly your real kin,
Ini naan thaan naan thaan ulagellaamFrom now on, I alone am your entire world.
Ini naan thaan naan thaan ulagellaamFrom now on, I alone am your entire world.
Female
Ethanai mugamo unakkuHow many faces do you have?
Dhinam ethanai gunamo enakkuDaily, how many moods do I have to bear?
Athanaiyum pazhanganakkuAll of that is an old account now.
Indru samarasamaanadhu vazhakkuToday, our dispute has reached a peaceful compromise.
Indru samarasamaanadhu vazhakkuToday, our dispute has reached a peaceful compromise.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song depicts a woman addressing her husband/beloved about the emotional turbulence and misunderstandings in their relationship. She speaks of his changing demeanors and how she has quietly adjusted to them. Framing her devotion as a sacred lamp lit by a mother and pre-ordained by God, she compares her unspoken emotional pain to the 'language of a mute' that goes unheard. Ultimately, she asserts her complete dedication, reassuring him that she encompasses all maternal care and marital companionship, standing as his entire world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Ethanai mugamo unakku / Athanaiyum pazhanganakku

The second letter consonant sound '-tha-' matches across 'Ethanai', 'Athanaiyum', creating a melodic rhythm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ethanai mugamoo unakku / Dhinam ethanai gunamo enakku / Athanaiyum pazhanganakku / Indru samarasamaanadhu vazhakku

The ending words 'unakku', 'enakku', 'pazhanganakku', and 'vazhakku' rhyme with the same end suffix '-akku'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Indha oomaiyin baashai puriyadhu

The phrase 'Oomaiyin baashai' (language of a mute) serves as a metaphor for unspoken grief and unexpressed deeper feelings.

Repetition / Emphasis (Adukkuthodar)

Ini naan thaan naan thaan ulagellaam

The phrase 'naan thaan' is repeated twice to strongly emphasize her exclusive role and devotion in his life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song feature in the 1969 film 'Magane Nee Vazhga', starring Jaishankar and Lakshmi. Set to music by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by Kannadasan, it stands out for P. Susheela's emotive vocal rendering, capturing the nuanced grief and deep commitment of a South Indian wife.

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