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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Inba Ulagin

From Seeman Petra Selvangal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Seeman Petra Selvangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Inba ulagin ragasiyam ingae aarambamThe secret of the world of bliss begins right here
Perum yekkam niraindha saritharam ingae aarambamA history filled with great longing begins right here
Inba ulagin ragasiyam ingae aarambamThe secret of the world of bliss begins right here
Perum yekkam niraindha saritharam ingae aarambamA history filled with great longing begins right here
Female
Kangal ezhudhum kaaviyam ingae aarambamThe epic written by the eyes begins right here
Karppanai ulagin arupudham ingae aarambamThe wonder of the world of imagination begins right here
Kangal ezhudhum kaaviyam ingae aarambamThe epic written by the eyes begins right here
Karppanai ulagin arupudham ingae aarambamThe wonder of the world of imagination begins right here
Male
Oomai pennum vaayai thirandhuEven a mute girl opening her mouth
Pesa muyalvadhum ingae thaanAnd trying to speak happens right here
Oomai pennum vaayai thirandhuEven a mute girl opening her mouth
Pesa muyalvadhum ingae thaanAnd trying to speak happens right here
Female
Uyarndha manidharum kuzhandhaiyai polaeAnd noble men taking the form
Uruvam kolvadhum ingae thaanOf a child happens right here
Uyarndha manidharum kuzhandhaiyai polaeAnd noble men taking the form
Uruvam kolvadhum ingae thaanOf a child happens right here
Male
Aadavarellaam pengalin kaiyilAll men becoming slaves
Adimaigal aavadhum ingae thaanIn the hands of women happens right here
Aadavarellaam pengalin kaiyilAll men becoming slaves
Adimaigal aavadhum ingae thaanIn the hands of women happens right here
Female
Adimaigal ellaam naadaga mudivilAll those slaves, at the end of the play,
Arasargal aavadhum ingae thaanBecoming kings happens right here
Adimaigal ellaam naadaga mudivilAll those slaves, at the end of the play,
Arasargal aavadhum ingae thaanBecoming kings happens right here
Male
Thendral maeniyai thaalattumThe gentle breeze lulls the body to sleep
Sendhaen malar mullai paarattumThe sweet honey-laden jasmine flower appreciates it
Thendral maeniyai thaalattumThe gentle breeze lulls the body to sleep
Sendhaen malar mullai paarattumThe sweet honey-laden jasmine flower appreciates it
Female
Kangal irandum moodividumBoth eyes will gently close
Oru kadhaiyae nilavinil mudindhu vidumA story will come to an end under the moonlight
Kangal irandum moodividumBoth eyes will gently close
Oru kadhaiyae nilavinil mudindhu vidumA story will come to an end under the moonlight
Male
Uarvinar mugamum marandhu vidumThe faces of relatives will be forgotten
Female :Dhinam oruvar mugamae ninaivu varumFemale: Daily, only one person's face will be remembered

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Inba Ulagin Ragasiyam is a classic romantic track from the 1962 Tamil film Seeman Petra Selvangal, penned by Kannadasan and set to tune by T. R. Pappa. The song poetically captures the magic, intimacy, and sweet paradoxes of love. It depicts how love inspires even the silent to express themselves, transforms fully grown men into innocent children, and leads men to willingly become slaves to women, only to emerge as kings in the narrative of life. The song beautifully transitions into the night, describing how all worldly relations fade away, leaving only the beloved's face constant in memory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kangal ezhudhum kaaviyam ingae aarambam

Comparing the silent romantic gazes between lovers to the composition of an epic poem.

Simile (Upamai)

Uyarndha manidharum kuzhandhaiyai polae

Comparing mature, high-stature men to innocent children when in love.

Paradox / Irony

Adimaigal ellaam naadaga mudivil Arasargal aavadhum ingae thaan

Expressing the paradox of love where lovers become slaves to women, but by the end of the romantic play, become crowned kings.

Iyubu Thodai (Rhyming Endings)

Inba ulagin ragasiyam ingae aarambam

Repetition of 'ingae aarambam' and 'ingae thaan' at the line endings creates a rhythmic refraining effect.

Did you know?

Trivia

Seeman Petra Selvangal (1962) starred S. S. Rajendran and Vijayakumari. The soundtrack was composed by T. R. Pappa, and this duet performed by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela remains one of Kannadasan's most memorable explorations of romantic psychology.

Keep listening

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