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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Naal

From Pangaligal · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Pangaligal1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ethanai naal kaathirundhenHow many days I have waited,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Naan iravellam vizhithirundhenI stayed awake all night long,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Male
Ithanai naal en nilaiyaiMy state of being all these days,
Nee ariyaaayoodo you not know?
Naan yaridathil unnai kandenIn whom I saw you,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Female
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
En nenjil ulla ennam ellaamAll the thoughts inside my heart,
Male
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
En nenjil ulla ennam ellaamAll the thoughts inside my heart,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
Female
Yaarukaaga naan pirandhenFor whom I was born,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Endha aasaiyilae naan valarndhenWith what desire I grew up,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Male :Yaarukkaaga kaathirundhenMale: For whom I waited,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Yaarukkaaga kaathirundhenFor whom I waited,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Endha aasaiyilae odi vandhenWith what desire I came running,
Nee ariyaayoodo you not know?
Female
Nee ariyaayooDo you not know?
Male :Nee ariyaayooMale: Do you not know?
Female
Pazhutha pinnum pazhangal ellaamEven after ripening, will all fruits
Marathilirukkumaremain on the tree?
Penn paruvamaana piragum koodaEven after a woman comes of age,
Thanimaiyaagumashould she remain alone?
Female
Parithu sellum aal varum munnBefore the one who comes to pluck arrives,
Pazhukalaagumashould it ripen?
Parithu sellum aal varum munnBefore the one who comes to pluck arrives,
Pazhukalaagumashould it ripen?
Konjam poruthirundhaal kaalam varumIf you wait a little, the right time will come,
Thudikalaagumashould you get restless?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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