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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Inimaiyanathu Antha

From Manmadha Rathangal · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manmadha Rathangal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Inimaiyaanathu antha iraivan pondrathuSweetness itself, like God divine
Iraivan pondrathu adhu punithamaanathuLike God divine, holy and pure
Kadhal porul nirainthathuLove is filled with profound meaning
Porul nirainthathu…..aahaa…..haa…..haa…..Filled with meaning... ah... ha... ha...
Female
Kadhal enbathu verum kavithai solvathuLove is not merely reciting poetry
Kavithai solvathu kadamai enbathaeReciting poetry as a sacred duty
Antha kadavul thanthathuBestowed by that God
Kadavul thanthathu….m….mm…..mm…..mm….Bestowed by God... m... mm... mm... mm...
Male
Mouna kaliyilae mayangum nilaiyilaeIn silent ecstasy, in a state of enchantment
Nyaanam peruvathu nandri migunthathu kadhalGaining wisdom and deep gratitude, that is love
Female :Palli vayathilae paruva veriyilaeIn school age, in youthful impulse
Thulli vizhuvathu thunbam tharuvathu kadhalJumping headlong and bringing distress, that is love
Male
Kannaalae koyil kattum kadhalLove builds a temple through the eyes
Female :Mannaalae veedu kattum kadhalLove builds a house out of mud
Male
Inimaiyaanathu antha iraivan pondrathuSweetness itself, like God divine
Iraivan pondrathuLike God divine
Female :Kadamai enbathae antha kadavul thanthathuDuty itself is what God gave
Kadavul thanthathuWhat God gave
Male
Nenjam ariyavae vanjam puripavarFor those who practice deceit knowingly in their hearts
Nenjai suduvathu neruppaai erivathu kadhalBurning their hearts like fire, that is love
Female :Ulla thiraiyilae unmai vadivilaeBehind inner curtains, under the guise of truth
Kallam purivathu kabadam nirainthathu kadhalPracticing falsehood and filled with trickery, that is love
Male
Kannaalae koyil kattum kadhalLove builds a temple through the eyes
Female :Mannaalae veedu kattum kadhalLove builds a house out of mud
Female
Kadhal enbathu verum kavithai solvathuLove is not merely reciting poetry
Kavithai solvathuReciting poetry
Male :Adhu punithamaanathu kadhal porul nirainthathuIt is sacred, love is filled with profound meaning
Porul nirainthathuFilled with meaning
Male
Kadalgal pirikkalaam kannai maraikkalaamOceans may separate, eyes may be blinded
Udalgal piriyalaam uyirgal inaivathae kadhalBodies may part, but souls unite, that is love
Female :Odi sendra naal udhirntha pookkalaeDays that slipped away are like fallen flowers
Thaaliyin mangalam dharmaththin manthiram kadhalThe auspiciousness of the wedding knot, the sacred chant of righteousness, that is love
Male
Kannaalae koyil kattum kadhalLove builds a temple through the eyes
Female :Mannaalae veedu kattum kadhalLove builds a house out of mud
Male :Kadhal…….kadhal……kadhal……kadhal…..Love... love... love... love...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a lyrical debate on the nature of love, structured as a philosophical dialogue between male and female viewpoints. The male protagonist views love as divine, sacred, and eternal, comparing it to godliness that unifies souls even when physical bodies are separated by distance or time. Conversely, the female voice offers a pragmatic and cynical counter-argument, depicting love as youthful folly, deceptive trickery, and a temporary worldly illusion built on fragile foundations. Kannadasan masterfully balances both ideal spiritual devotion and pragmatic skepticism, showcasing how love can simultaneously be a divine sanctuary and a worldly trial.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anadiplosis (Enyadhigal)

Inimaiyaanathu antha iraivan pondrathu / Iraivan pondrathu adhu punithamaanathu

The repetition of the ending phrase 'iraivan pondrathu' at the beginning of the next line creates a seamless rhythmic flow.

Antithesis (Muran Thodai)

Kannaalae koyil kattum kadhal / Mannaalae veedu kattum kadhal

Contrasts the elevated ideal of love building a 'temple of eyes' with the mundane reality of building a 'house of mud'.

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

Kadalgal pirikkalaam kannai maraikkalaam

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across words in the line enhances phonetic melody.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjai suduvathu neruppaai erivathu kadhal

Metaphorically compares love's retribution against deceit to a burning fire inside the heart.

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Trivia

Written by poet laureate Kannadasan and composed by 'Isai Chakravarthy' K. V. Mahadevan, this duet adopts a 'Pattimandram' (lyrical debate) format, a signature style of Kannadasan where opposing views on love are juxtaposed within the same song.

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