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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Inba Ellai Kaanum Neram

From Ivan Avanethan · 1960

Lyricist
Villiputhan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Music director
M. Ranga Rao
Details
Ivan Avanethan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa..a.ah…aa…aa….Aa..a.ah…aa…aa….
Male
Oohho oo….Oohho oo….
Female
Inba ellai kaanum neramThe time when the boundaries of joy are seen,
Inikkum maalai solai oramBy the side of the sweet evening grove,
Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthaeThe gentle breeze arrives with love to socialize,
Nenjam oonjalaaduthaeAnd the heart swings in delight.
Female
Inba ellai kaanum neramThe time when the boundaries of joy are seen,
Inikkum maalai solai oramBy the side of the sweet evening grove,
Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthaeThe gentle breeze arrives with love to socialize,
Nenjam oonjalaaduthaeAnd the heart swings in delight.
Female
Ilamaalai neram maalai vaanam saernthuIn the tender twilight, uniting with the evening sky,
Kalippodu pesum kalai ennavoWhat art is this that speaks with joy?
Male :Kalaiyaan kadhal nilaiyaanathendruMale: Saying that love, as an art, is eternal,
Avai pesum unmai kadhaithaanathuThat is the true story spoken by them.
Female :Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…Female: Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…
Female
Inba ellai kaanum neramThe time when the boundaries of joy are seen,
Inikkum maalai solai oramBy the side of the sweet evening grove,
Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthaeThe gentle breeze arrives with love to socialize,
Nenjam oonjalaaduthae…And the heart swings in delight…
Male
Poovodu konjum poongodi neerilThe flower-creeper caressing the flower in the water,
Pudhu paadam ketkummuraiyennavoWhat manner of seeking a new lesson is this?
Female :Vizhiyodu serum oli pola vaazhvinFemale: Like light combining with the eyes, in life,
Sugam kaana ketkum vazhithaanathuIt is the path seeking to experience sweet pleasure.
Female :Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…Female: Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…
Female
Inba ellai kaanum neramThe time when the boundaries of joy are seen,
Inikkum maalai solai oramBy the side of the sweet evening grove,
Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthaeThe gentle breeze arrives with love to socialize,
Nenjam oonjalaaduthae…And the heart swings in delight…
Female
Aadidum neeralaikaraithanai theendiThe dancing water wave touching the shore,
Anantham thedum nilaiyennavoWhat state is this, seeking supreme bliss?
Male :Karaiyathu kaanum kadhalin thaabamMale: The shore beholds the burning desire of love,
Vedhanai theerkka anai theenduthaeIt touches the shore to heal its sorrow.
Female :Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…Female: Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…
Male
Inba ellai kaanum neramThe time when the boundaries of joy are seen,
Female :Inikkum maalai solai oramFemale: By the side of the sweet evening grove,
Both :Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthaeBoth: The gentle breeze arrives with love to socialize,
Nenjam oonjalaaduthae…And the heart swings in delight…
Female
Aa…aah…aa…aa….Aa…aah…aa…aa….
Male :Ohho…ooMale: Ohho…oo
Both :Mmm…mm…mm….Both: Mmm…mm…mm….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Inba Ellai Kaanum Neram is a classical romantic duet from the 1960 Tamil film Ivan Avanethan, sung by P. B. Srinivas and S. Janaki. Set against the serene backdrop of an evening garden, the song expresses romantic longing and fulfillment using vivid natural imagery such as gentle breezes, water waves, and blooming vines.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Inba ellai kaanum neram / Inikkum maalai solai oram

The second consonant sound 'nb' and 'ni' in 'Inba' and 'Inikkum' creates a harmonious acoustic rhyme across the opening lines.

Personification

Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthae

Nature is personified as the breeze is described as arriving with affection to build a relationship ('Anbu kondu thendral vanthu uravaaduthae').

Metaphor

Vizhiyodu serum oli pola vaazhvin

Comparing the joy of life to the illumination of eyes by light ('Vizhiyodu serum oli pola vaazhvin').

Did you know?

Trivia

Ivan Avanethan (1960) features music composed by M. Ranga Rao, with lyrics written by Villiputhan. It remains an endearing vintage composition showcasing the early melodic chemistry of P. B. Srinivas and S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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