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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyana Pennai

From Neelagiri Express · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Neelagiri Express1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa..aaa..aaa..aaa….Haaa..aaa..aaa..aaa….
Pericham palangalukku…For the date fruits...
Yaarachum oruvar unduThere is someone out there,
Pennaaga pirandhavarkkuAnd for those born as women,
Manna nee oruvan unduOh king, there is you alone!
Haa..aaa..aa..aaa..aa…Haa..aaa..aa..aaa..aa…
Female
Kalayana pennai konjamLook at the bride a little,
Munnum pinnum paaruLook at her from front and back;
Kannathil kannam vaithuPlace your cheek against her cheek,
Mutham sindhu nooruAnd shower a hundred kisses!
Kannathil kannam vaithuPlace your cheek against her cheek,
Mutham sindhu nooruAnd shower a hundred kisses!
Female
Kalayana pennai konjamLook at the bride a little,
Munnum pinnum paaruLook at her from front and back;
Kannathil kannam vaithuPlace your cheek against her cheek,
Mutham sindhu nooruAnd shower a hundred kisses!
Kannathil kannam vaithuPlace your cheek against her cheek,
Mutham sindhu nooruAnd shower a hundred kisses!
Female
Aththaani muthu manjam pattu methai poduSet up a bed of pearls and silk in the royal chamber,
Aasaikku naal ellam pesi vilaiyaaduTalk and play all day to your heart's desire.
Female :Nee pesi vilaiyaadu kai veesi vilaiyaaduFemale: You talk and play, wave your hands and play!
Female
Ettadhu kombil ulla poovai thottu paaruTry touching the flower on the branch beyond reach,
Paarthathai naal ellam pesi vilaiyaaduTalk about what you saw and play all day!
Female :Nee pesi vilaiyaadu kai veesi vilaiyaaduFemale: You talk and play, wave your hands and play!
Female
Oru naal vandhu maru naal pogumIt comes one day and goes the next,
Urava indha aattamIs this game a lasting bond?
Female :Ullathil aanum pennumFemale: In their hearts, men and women...
Kalla poonai kottam...are like a gang of sly cats!
Female
Oru naal vandhu maru naal pogumIt comes one day and goes the next,
Urava indha aattamIs this game a lasting bond?
Female :Ullathil aanum pennumFemale: In their hearts, men and women...
Kalla poonai kottam...are like a gang of sly cats!
Female
Afganisthanam thandha thiratchai saaru oottruPour grape wine gifted from Afghanistan,
Anthikku mel undhan paarvai thannai maatruAfter dusk, change your gaze;
Female
Un paarvai thannai maatruChange your gaze,
Kan bothai thannai maatruChange the intoxication in your eyes!
Female
Anjaatha thippu sulthan pillaiyandru neeruStand tall like the fearless son of Tipu Sultan,
Aan pillai neeyendru enni vilaiyaaduRemembering you are a real man, play on!
Female :Nee pinni vilaiyaadu vaa thulli vilaiyaaduFemale: Entwine and play, come jump and play!
Female
: Iravum illai pagalum illaiThere is no night, nor day,
Iruvar aadum attamIn this game played by the two of us,
Ellorum pona pinnaeAfter everyone leaves,
Naanae undhan thottamI alone am your garden!
Female
Iravum illai pagalum illaiThere is no night, nor day,
Iruvar aadum attamIn this game played by the two of us,
Ellorum pona pinnaeAfter everyone leaves,
Naanae undhan thottamI alone am your garden!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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

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