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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ichendru Ichendru Mutham

From Enakku Naane Needhipathi · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enakku Naane Needhipathi1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Icendru ichendru muththam padhikkumEmprinting kisses with the sound 'itch'
Inbaththin thunbangaleOh the sweet sorrows of pleasure!
Annaththin kannaththil achchu padhikkaTo imprint an impression on the swan-like lady's cheek
Minnattum vannangalaeLet the colors shine bright!
Female
Meththai pazhakkam viththai pazhakkamBedtime intimacy and artistic mastery
Thaththai kilikku muththa padhakkamA pearl medal for the parrot-like maiden
Sorkkaththai etti thoduReach out and touch heaven!
Male
Icendru ichendru muththam padhikkumEmprinting kisses with the sound 'itch'
Inbaththin thunbangaleOh the sweet sorrows of pleasure!
Male
Mai vaiththa kannukkulInside the kohl-lined eyes
Poi vaiththa pennukkulInside the woman filled with harmless pretenses
Kai vaiththu sorkkaththai yaar vaiththathuWho placed heaven by laying hands on her?
Female :Pon vaiththa manjaththilFemale: On the golden bed
Poo vaiththa nenjaththilIn the flower-adorned heart
Kann vaiththu nenjaththai yaar thaiththathuWho set eyes upon it and stitched the heart?
Male
Thanga silai anthapuramThe inner palace of the golden statue
Anthi kalai solli tharumTeaches the evening arts
Female :Kannil kadhai kattru tharumFemale: Teaches stories through the eyes
Inba suvai kotti tharumPours out the taste of joy
Male :Engengu kann vaikkaMale: Where to cast my eyes?
Engengu kai vaikkaWhere to place my hands?
Nee konjam solli koduPlease teach me a little!
Female
Kai rendil kai vaiththuHolding hands in both hands
Kannukkul kann vaiththuGazing deeply eye to eye
Inbaththai alli koduScoop up and give me joy!
Male :Antha ganaththil thanga kudaththilMale: At that moment, on the golden pot
Kairegai odattumLet the fingerprints run across
Kann paarvai sokkattumLet the gaze be mesmerized
Male
Icendru ichendru muththam padhikkumEmprinting kisses with the sound 'itch'
Inbaththin thunbangaleOh the sweet sorrows of pleasure!
Annaththin kannaththil achchu padhikkaTo imprint an impression on the swan-like lady's cheek
Minnattum vannangalaeLet the colors shine bright!
Male
Meththai pazhakkam viththai pazhakkamBedtime intimacy and artistic mastery
Thaththai kilikku muththa padhakkamA pearl medal for the parrot-like maiden
Sorkkaththai etti thodu….Reach out and touch heaven...
Female
Mogaththin sonthathil muththathin pakkaththilIn the kinship of desire, in the proximity of kisses
Saamaththil kaamaththai archchikkalaamWe can offer worship to passion at midnight
Male :Inbaththin vellaththil nindraadum ullaththilMale: In the heart swimming in the flood of bliss
Eppothum nee ennai ratchikkalaamYou can protect me forever
Female
Annakkodi ennai thoduOh swan-like beauty, touch me
Aththi pazham echchir paduLet the fig fruit be tasted
Kachchai kuzhal meththai idumThe bound hair serves as a mattress
Pattu thugil sattrae vizhumThe silk garment slips off slightly
Female
Un kadhal mangaikkul oodaatha gangaikkulInside your loving maiden, inside the unmoving Ganges
Thaen vellam odattumaeLet the flood of honey flow!
Male :Sevvanthi pottaada ponvandu ottaadaMale: As the chrysanthemum tilak sways, as the golden beetle clings
Melangal kottattumaeLet the drums beat joyfully!
Female
Andhi sabaikkul inba siraikkulIn the evening court, inside the prison of pleasure
Kaithaagi vaiththukkolHold me captive
Vandaagi moiththukkolSwarm around me like a bee
Female
Icendru ichendru muththam padhikkumEmprinting kisses with the sound 'itch'
Inbaththin thunbangaleOh the sweet sorrows of pleasure!
Male :Annaththin kannaththil achchu padhikkaMale: To imprint an impression on the swan-like lady's cheek
Minnattum vannangalaeLet the colors shine bright!
Female
Meththai pazhakkam viththai pazhakkamBedtime intimacy and artistic mastery
Thaththai kilikku muththa padhakkamA pearl medal for the parrot-like maiden
Sorkkaththai etti thoduReach out and touch heaven!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual duet from Enakku Naane Needhipathi (1986) illustrates an intimate romantic exchange between two lovers. Penned by Pulamaipithan, the song paints a vivid picture of passion, physical proximity, and marital bliss using classical literary imagery. The lyrics interweave themes of aesthetics, nature, and deep emotional warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oliyakkuipul)

Icendru ichendru muththam padhikkum

'Icendru ichendru' mimics the sound effect of kissing.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thanga silai anthapuram

Comparing the heroine to a golden statue ('Thanga silai') and pleasure to a prison ('Inba sirai').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Annaththin kannaththil achchu padhikka

The second consonant 'n' matches across lines ('Annaththin', 'Minnattum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is noted for Pulamaipithan's trademark use of classical Tamil literary allegories (comparing the female protagonist to 'Annam' - swan, and 'Thaththai' - parrot) to express erotic themes tastefully within 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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