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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaivaniye Nee Enai

From Kanniyin Kathali · 1949

Lyricist
Pudhu Kamban Boomi Balagadass
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kanniyin Kathali1949

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Thannananaa thannananaa thannananaa[Rhythmic vocalizations]
Thannan naanaa naa[Rhythmic vocalizations]
Female
Kalaivaaniyae…..ae….ae….ae….aehO Goddess of Arts, Saraswati...
Nee ennai…..ee….ee….To me...
Sothanai…..yyiii…..yiiii….A trial or test...
Seivathum nyaayamo….oo….oo….Is it fair to subject me to such suffering?
Female
Kalaivaaniyae nee ennaiO Goddess Kalaivani, is it fair that you
Sothanai seivathum niyaayamoSubject me to this severe trial?
Idhu tharunamNow is the crucial moment!
Kalaivaaniyae nee ennaiO Goddess Kalaivani, is it fair that you
Sothanai seivathum niyaayamoSubject me to this severe trial?
Idhu tharunamNow is the crucial moment!
Female
Manonmani….eee….ee….ee….ee….O jewel of the mind...
Madhivathana….aa….aa….O moon-faced beauty...
Sundhari unnai kaanaTo behold your divine presence,
Arul seikuvaayo….ae….ae….ae….ae…Will you grant me your grace?
Female
Kalaivaaniyae nee ennaiO Goddess Kalaivani, is it fair that you
Sothanai seivathum niyaayamoSubject me to this severe trial?
Idhu tharunamNow is the crucial moment!
Female
En meedhilae….ae…..ae…..ae….ae…Towards me...
Innum….mm….mm…Even now...
Paaraamugam….mm….This cold indifference...
Yaeno…..oo….oooWhy does it continue?
Jagan mogini…..eee…..ee….ee…O enchantress of the world...
Female
Kalaivaaniyae nee ennaiO Goddess Kalaivani, is it fair that you
Sothanai seivathum niyaayamoSubject me to this severe trial?
Idhu tharunamNow is the crucial moment!
Kalaivaaniyae nee ennaiO Goddess Kalaivani, is it fair that you
Sothanai seivathum niyaayamoSubject me to this severe trial?
Idhu tharunamNow is the crucial moment!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classical song is an impassioned plea addressed to Goddess Kalaivani (Saraswati) as well as an expression of romantic yearning towards a beloved described with exalted epithets like 'Madhivathani' (moon-faced) and 'Jagan Mogini' (world enchantress). The speaker laments being subjected to emotional trials and questions the fairness of the divine or beloved turning an indifferent face towards them, urging for grace and presence without further delay.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Madhivathana….aa….aa….”

Compares the woman's face directly to the full moon ('Madhi') to highlight radiating beauty.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

“Seivathum nyaayamo….oo….oo….”

Asking whether subjecting the speaker to tests is fair ('niyaayamo') serves to express dramatic anguish rather than solicit a literal answer.

Anaphora (Madakku / Repetition)

“Kalaivaaniyae nee ennai”

The line calling out to Kalaivani and asking about fairness is repeated regularly as a refrain to heighten emotional intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Kathali (1949), produced by Jupiter Pictures and directed by K. Ramnoth, holds a historic place in Tamil cinema as the very first screen adaptation of William Shakespeare's play 'Twelfth Night'. The film starred Madhuri Devi, Anjali Devi, and S. A. Natarajan.

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