Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyana Pennai

From Neelagiri Express · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Neelagiri Express
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
11 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haaa..aaa..aaa..aaa….
Pericham palangalukku…
Yaarachum oruvar undu
Pennaaga pirandhavarkku
Manna nee oruvan undu
Haa..aaa..aa..aaa..aa…
Kalayana pennai konjam
Munnum pinnum paaru
Kannathil kannam vaithu
Mutham sindhu nooru
Kannathil kannam vaithu
Mutham sindhu nooru
Kalayana pennai konjam
Munnum pinnum paaru
Kannathil kannam vaithu
Mutham sindhu nooru
Kannathil kannam vaithu
Mutham sindhu nooru
Aththaani muthu manjam pattu methai podu
Aasaikku naal ellam pesi vilaiyaadu
Female :Nee pesi vilaiyaadu kai veesi vilaiyaadu
Ettadhu kombil ulla poovai thottu paaru
Paarthathai naal ellam pesi vilaiyaadu
Female :Nee pesi vilaiyaadu kai veesi vilaiyaadu
Oru naal vandhu maru naal pogum
Urava indha aattam
Female :Ullathil aanum pennum
Kalla poonai kottam
Oru naal vandhu maru naal pogum
Urava indha aattam
Female :Ullathil aanum pennum
Kalla poonai kottam
Afganisthanam thandha thiratchai saaru oottru
Anthikku mel undhan paarvai thannai maatru
Un paarvai thannai maatru
Kan bothai thannai maatru
Anjaatha thippu sulthan pillaiyandru neeru
Aan pillai neeyendru enni vilaiyaadu
Female :Nee pinni vilaiyaadu vaa thulli vilaiyaadu
: Iravum illai pagalum illai
Iruvar aadum attam
Ellorum pona pinnae
Naanae undhan thottam
Iravum illai pagalum illai
Iruvar aadum attam
Ellorum pona pinnae
Naanae undhan thottam
Aa... aa... aa...
For sweet dates,
there is always someone to cherish them.
And for the one born as a woman,
O king, there is only you!
Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Look at this bride closely,
from front to back!
Press cheek against cheek,
and shower a hundred kisses!
Press cheek against cheek,
and shower a hundred kisses!
Look at this bride closely,
from front to back!
Press cheek against cheek,
and shower a hundred kisses!
Press cheek against cheek,
and shower a hundred kisses!
Spread a silk mattress on the royal pearl bed,
chat and play all day to your heart's desire!
Female: Chat and play, swing your arms and play freely!
Reach out and touch the flower on the high branch,
and talk all day about everything you saw!
Female: Chat and play, swing your arms and play freely!
Is this game a relationship
that arrives one day and leaves the next?
Female: Deep in their hearts, men and women
are like a bunch of sneaky cats!
Is this game a relationship
that arrives one day and leaves the next?
Female: Deep in their hearts, men and women
are like a bunch of sneaky cats!
Pour the grape juice from Afghanistan,
and change your gaze once evening falls!
Change your gaze,
shift the intoxication in your eyes!
Knowing you are a fearless child of Tipu Sultan,
play on, proud to be a real man!
Female: Wrap together and play, come leap and play!
There is neither day nor night
in this game played by the two of us!
Once everyone leaves,
I will be your personal garden!
There is neither day nor night
in this game played by the two of us!
Once everyone leaves,
I will be your personal garden!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This alluring duet from the 1968 Tamil thriller film 'Neelagiri Express' features playful and flirtatious exchanges sung by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari. Kannadasan's lyrics playfully urge the protagonist to embrace romance, sensory pleasures, and intimacy without hesitation. Rich in sensual metaphors and vivid geographical references—such as date fruits, grape wine from Afghanistan, and the bravery of Tipu Sultan—the song creates a lavish and romantic atmosphere. The narrative of the song revolves around transient desires and passionate courtship. The singers blend teasing banter about human nature ('sly cats') with passionate invitations, describing how all sense of time blurs when lovers come together in private, turning moments into an exclusive paradise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannathil kannam vaithu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words for rhythmic effect.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Ellorum pona pinnae / Naanae undhan thottam

The speaker compares herself to a private garden reserved exclusively for her lover after the crowd departs.

Simile / Cultural Allusion

Ullathil aanum pennum / Kalla poonai kottam

Compares secret human desires and inner cunning to a group of sly cats ('kalla poonai kottam').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track was composed by T. K. Ramamoorthy during his solo career following the celebrated split of the iconic Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. 'Neelagiri Express' starring Jaishankar is a famous classic Tamil murder mystery thriller set aboard a train journey.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Neelagiri Express

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.