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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Naal

From Pangaligal · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Movie name
Pangaligal
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
11 Nov 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ethanai naal kaathirundhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Naan iravellam vizhithirundhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Ithanai naal en nilaiyai
Nee ariyaaayoo
Naan yaridathil unnai kanden
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
En nenjil ulla ennam ellaam
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
En nenjil ulla ennam ellaam
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
Yaarukaaga naan pirandhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Endha aasaiyilae naan valarndhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Male :Yaarukkaaga kaathirundhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Yaarukkaaga kaathirundhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Endha aasaiyilae odi vandhen
Nee ariyaayoo
Nee ariyaayoo
Male :Nee ariyaayoo
Pazhutha pinnum pazhangal ellaam
Marathilirukkuma
Penn paruvamaana piragum kooda
Thanimaiyaaguma
Parithu sellum aal varum munn
Pazhukalaaguma
Parithu sellum aal varum munn
Pazhukalaaguma
Konjam poruthirundhaal kaalam varum
Thudikalaaguma
How many days I have waited,
don't you know?
I stayed awake all through the night,
don't you know?
My state of mind all these days,
don't you know?
In whom I found you,
don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
All the feelings in my heart,
don't you know?
Don't you know?
All the feelings in my heart,
don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
For whose sake I was born,
don't you know?
With what longing I grew up,
don't you know?
For whose sake I was waiting,
don't you know?
For whose sake I was waiting,
don't you know?
With what yearning I came running,
don't you know?
Don't you know?
Don't you know?
Even after ripening, can fruits
still stay on the tree?
Even after coming of age,
should a woman remain alone?
Before the one who picks the fruit arrives,
should it ripen?
Before the one who picks the fruit arrives,
should it ripen?
If you wait a little, the right time will come;
why be so restless?
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a tender romantic duet from the film 'Pangaligal' (1961), depicting mutual longing, restless affection, and the sweet anxiety of lovers. The heroine lovingly questions her lover about whether he understands her restless nights, long wait, and unspoken desires. The male lover responds in kind, admitting his own eager anticipation and the force of attraction that pulled him toward her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme) / Anaphora

Nee ariyaayoo

The repeated refrain 'Nee ariyaayoo' (Do you not know?) occurs at the end of almost every line, creating a rhythmic and emotional cadence throughout the song.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ethanai naal kaathirundhen / Ithanai naal en nilaiyai

The second consonant 'tha' (த) rhymes between 'Ethanai' and 'Ithanai', establishing traditional Tamil verse structure.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Allegory)

Pazhutha pinnum pazhangal ellaam marathilirukkuma

The lyrics metaphorically compare a woman reaching maturity and yearning for her partner to a ripe fruit on a tree that cannot stay unplucked forever.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran maestro V. Dakshinamurthy—who was primarily a dominant figure in Malayalam cinema—this track stands out as one of his memorable compositions in Tamil cinema. Penned by Kannadasan, the song features the classic 1960s romantic duet vocal pairing of P. Susheela and P. B. Sreenivas.

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