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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Yamunai

From Imayam · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Imayam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{GangaiGanges
Female
YamunaiYamuna
Male
Ingu thaanRight here
Female
SangamamIs the confluence
Male
RaagamRaga
Female
ThaalamTala
Male
MoganamMohanam raga
Female
Mangalam} (2)Auspiciousness
Male
Angaiyar kan mangala naayagiThe auspicious goddess with fish-shaped eyes
Poo pol mella sirithaalSmiled softly like a flower
Angaiyar kan mangala naayagiThe auspicious goddess with fish-shaped eyes
Poo pol mella sirithaalSmiled softly like a flower
Female
Mangaiyargal naadagam naanamaeSaying that shyness is the play of women
Endru solli sirithaalShe said so and smiled
Mangaiyargal naadagam naanamaeSaying that shyness is the play of women
Endru solli sirithaalShe said so and smiled
Male
GangaiGanges
Female
YamunaiYamuna
Male
Ingu thaanRight here
Female
SangamamIs the confluence
Male
RaagamRaga
Female
ThaalamTala
Male
MoganamMohanam raga
Female
MangalamAuspiciousness
Male
Oorkola megangalThe procession of clouds
Thaalaattu paadaamalWithout singing a lullaby
Pinnaalae neligindra kolam ennaWhat is this winding pattern left behind?
Oorkola megangal thaalaattu paadaamalWithout the procession of clouds singing a lullaby
Pinnaalae neligindra kolam ennaWhat is this winding pattern left behind?
Female
Kaar kaalam vaaraamalWithout the rainy season arriving
Kalyaanam aagaamalWithout marriage taking place
Thaalaadha nilai kandum kelvi ennaWhy ask questions seeing this unbearable state?
Kaar kaalam vaaraamalWithout the rainy season arriving
Kalyaanam aagaamalWithout marriage taking place
Thaalaadha nilai kandum kelvi ennaWhy ask questions seeing this unbearable state?
Male
GangaiGanges
Female
YamunaiYamuna
Male
Ingu thaanRight here
Female
SangamamIs the confluence
Male
RaagamRaga
Female
ThaalamTala
Male
MoganamMohanam raga
Female
MangalamAuspiciousness
Female
Sendhoora mai vannamThe color of vermilion and kohl
Sindhaamal sidharaamalWithout spilling or scattering
Sandhosham kondaadum kaigal ingaeHere are the hands celebrating happiness
Sendhoora mai vannamThe color of vermilion and kohl
Sindhaamal sidharaamalWithout spilling or scattering
Sandhosham kondaadum kaigal ingaeHere are the hands celebrating happiness
Male
Sevvaayil thaenunduHaving honey on her red lips
Srungaaram thaalaamalUnable to bear the weight of romance
Thallaadum pon vanna kangal ingaeHere are the golden-tinted eyes swaying
Sevvaayil thaenunduHaving honey on her red lips
Srungaaram thaalaamalUnable to bear the weight of romance
Thallaadum pon vanna kangal ingaeHere are the golden-tinted eyes swaying
Male
GangaiGanges
Female
YamunaiYamuna
Male
Ingu thaanRight here
Female
SangamamIs the confluence
Male
RaagamRaga
Female
ThaalamTala
Male
MoganamMohanam raga
Female
MangalamAuspiciousness
Male
Angaiyar kan mangala naayagiThe auspicious goddess with fish-shaped eyes
Poo pol mella sirithaalSmiled softly like a flower
Female :Mangaiyargal naadagam naanamaeFemale: Saying that shyness is the play of women
Endru solli sirithaalShe said so and smiled
Male
GangaiGanges
Female
YamunaiYamuna
Male
Ingu thaanRight here
Female
SangamamIs the confluence
Male
RaagamRaga
Female
ThaalamTala
Male
MoganamMohanam raga
Female
MangalamAuspiciousness

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Imayam' (1979) uses the sacred confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna as a metaphor for the union of two lovers, music and rhythm, and divine romance. The poet compares the heroine's delicate grace and shyness to Goddess Meenakshi (Angayarkanni), celebrating her charm, soft smile, and radiant beauty. The lyrics beautifully weave classical music elements like Raagam, Thaalam, and Moganam to illustrate the harmony and auspiciousness of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Poo pol mella sirithaal

In 'Poo pol mella sirithaal', the heroine's gentle smile is compared to the soft blooming of a flower.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Gangai Yamunai Ingu thaan Sangamam

The confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna is used as a metaphor for the union of love and music.

Moonaai / Etukai (Alliteration and Rhyming)

Sendhoora mai vannam / Sindhaamal sidharaamal / Sandhosham kondaadum kaigal ingae

Rhythmic rhyming in consecutive lines such as 'Sendhoora', 'Sindhaamal', and 'Sandhosham' creates a pleasing auditory flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Imayam' (1979) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Sripriya. The music for the film was composed by the legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics penned by the renowned poet Kannadasan. The song famously uses pentatonic scale associations linked to Raga Mohanam to accentuate the classical feel.

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