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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaayile Inippathenna Kaniyanal

From Manamulla Marutharam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. M. Raja, Jikki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manamulla Marutharam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathennaWhy is it sweet when unripe, but turns bitter once it becomes a fruit?
Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathennaWhy is it sweet when unripe, but turns bitter once it becomes a fruit?
Vaayaadi vambu pesum maane bathil solluOh talkative deer who loves to pick arguments, give me an answer!
Vaayaadi vambu pesum maanae bathil solluOh talkative deer who loves to pick arguments, give me an answer!
Female
Kaalathin kolathinaal kattazhagu kulaivathanaalWith the passage of time, as youth and sculpted beauty fade away,
Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaanIt is women who become bitter like the strychnine fruit in the eyes of men!
Kaalathin kolathinaal kattazhagu kulaivathanaalWith the passage of time, as youth and sculpted beauty fade away,
Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaanIt is women who become bitter like the strychnine fruit in the eyes of men!
Male
Neelamaai therivathenna neerveezhchi aavathennaWhat appears deep blue, and what flows down like a waterfall?
Neelamaai therivathenna neerveezhchi aavathennaWhat appears deep blue, and what flows down like a waterfall?
Nimirnthae ennai paarthu neraana bathil solluLook up directly into my eyes and give me a straight answer!
Nimirnthae ennai paarthu neraana bathil solluLook up directly into my eyes and give me a straight answer!
Female
Nenjinilae anudhinamum konjum inbathunbamenumThat which daily caresses the feelings of joy and sorrow dwelling in the heart,
Nilaiyai kaattukindra pengalin kangalthaanIt is the expressive eyes of women that reflect such emotional states!
Nenjinilae anudhinamum konjum inbathunbamenumThat which daily caresses the feelings of joy and sorrow dwelling in the heart,
Nilaiyai kaattukindra pengalin kangalthaanIt is the expressive eyes of women that reflect such emotional states!
Male
Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagiWhat is that force which becomes burning embers when separated and cool ice when close,
Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagiWhat is that force which becomes burning embers when separated and cool ice when close,
Karuthil vilaiyaada kaanum porulennaPlaying endlessly within our thoughts and mind?
Karuthil vilaiyaada kaanum porulennaPlaying endlessly within our thoughts and mind?
Female
Irandu ithayangalai ivvulagil ondraakkiUniting two hearts as one in this world,
Endrum azhiyaamal vaazhum unmai kaathal thaanLiving forever without ever perishing is true love!
Irandu ithayangalai ivvulagil ondraakkiUniting two hearts as one in this world,
Endrum azhiyaamal vaazhum unmai kaathal thaanLiving forever without ever perishing is true love!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a classic romantic riddle-and-answer duet between the lead pair. The male protagonist poses philosophical and poetic riddles questioning human nature, beauty, appearance, and emotion, while the female protagonist playfully answers each riddle with wit and deep insight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaan

Comparing a woman whose physical beauty fades over time to an 'Etti kani' (strychnine fruit / bitter fruit) to describe changing perceptions in love.

Antithesis / Oxymoron (Maranpatta Sorkal)

Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagi

Contrasting 'Kanal' (fire/heat) when separated with 'Pani' (ice/snow) when together to depict the emotional extremes of affection.

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathenna

Usage of initial and second-letter rhyming across lines such as 'Kaayilae' and 'Kaalathin', as well as 'Nenjinilae' and 'Nilaiyai'.

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Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, this song exemplifies the 'Vina-Vidai' (question-answer) song structure that was immensely popular in 1950s Tamil cinema duets.

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