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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyanam Enbadhu

From Rajavin Parvaiyile · 1995

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rajavin Parvaiyile1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenI will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenI will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Female
Ponnukkum pullaikkumFor the bride and the groom,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant),
Female
Porutham paatthuMatching their compatibility,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant).
Female
Aasa pudhusaa varumae adha kelammaaA new desire will awaken, listen to that, my dear!
Female
Aalaanaa yaarum thaedum sugam thaanammaaIt is a pleasure that everyone seeks once they grow up, my dear!
Female
Oru aasa pudhusaa varumae adha kelammaaA new desire will awaken, listen to that, my dear!
Female
Aalaanaa yaarum thaedum sugam thaanammaaIt is a pleasure that everyone seeks once they grow up, my dear!
Female
Maanthoppil paadum kuyil paadaadhu summaa summaaThe cuckoo singing in the mango grove doesn't sing without a reason.
Female
Maar meedhu aasa mayil thaanaada kandenammaaI saw the desirable peacock dancing on the chest on its own, my dear.
Female
Chandhiran vandhoru mandhiram sonnadhumAs the moon came and whispered a spell,
Kanniya thottadhu manmadhanoWas it Cupid who touched the maiden?
Female
Manmadhan vandhadhum sangadhi sonnadhumWhen Cupid arrived and shared the news,
Sammadhappattadhu senbagamoDid the champak flower give its consent?
Female
Kalyaanam enbadhuWhat marriage is...
Aha kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenAha, I will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Female
Kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenI will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Female
Ponnukkum pullaikkumFor the bride and the groom,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant),
Female
Porutham paathuMatching their compatibility,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant).
Female
Maanae ilama azhagum idhu thaanadiOh deer-like girl, this indeed is youthful beauty!
Female
Poovaada thaedum paarva malar thaanadiThe glance seeking the scented breeze is itself a flower!
Female
Ila maanae ilama azhagum idhu thaanadiOh young deer, this indeed is youthful beauty!
Female
Poovaada thaedum paarva malar thaanadiThe glance seeking the scented breeze is itself a flower!
Female
Tholodu aasa machaan thol saerum naerathulaWhen shoulder rests on the beloved partner's shoulder,
Female
Thoodhaagi kaadhal nelaa thaalaattum vaanathulaThe love-moon becomes a messenger and sings a lullaby in the sky.
Female
Thottadhum pattadhum chittu kuruvikkuAs soon as it was touched and felt, for the little sparrow,
Nithirai kettadhu ennadiyoWhy did its sleep get ruined, my dear?
Female
Vekkamum naanamum acham madamaiyumShyness, modesty, fear, and innocence—
Yengaedi ponadhu solladiyoWhere did they all go? Tell me, my dear!
Female
Kalyaanam enbadhuWhat marriage is...
Hae kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenHey, I will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Female
Kalyaanam enbadhu ennaannu sollurenI will tell you what marriage is,
Keladi keladi kannammaaListen, oh my dear Kannamma!
Female
Ponnukkum pullaikkumFor the bride and the groom,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant),
Female
Porutham paathuMatching their compatibility,
Female
Thandhaanaa thandhaanaaThandhana thandhana (rhythmic folk chant).

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-style song from 'Rajavin Parvaiyile' playfully explains the deep essence, charm, and emotional transition associated with marriage. Through rich traditional imagery and poetic folk refrains, the speaker describes how marriage brings a unique, mature happiness and sparks newfound romantic desires between two compatible souls. The song uses elements of nature—such as cuckoos singing in mango groves, peacocks dancing, and moonbeams acting as messengers—to metaphorically depict physical intimacy, romantic awakening, and the loss of maidenly inhibitions after marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Thoodhaagi kaadhal nelaa thaalaattum vaanathula

The moon is personified as a messenger of love ('Thoodhaagi kaadhal nelaa') who whispers spells and sings lullabies in the night sky.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Poovaada thaedum paarva malar thaanadi

Comparing a loving glance to a flower seeking the fragrance of the breeze ('paarva malar thaanadi').

Alliteration / Second-letter Rhyming (Edhukai)

Chandhiran vandhoru mandhiram sonnadhum / Kanniya thottadhu manmadhano

The second consonant 'n' agrees between 'Chandhiran' and 'Kanniya', creating harmony in the poetic rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Rajavin Parvaiyile' (1995) is famous in Tamil cinema history for being the only film in which Tamil cinema's two biggest contemporary superstars, Vijay and Ajith Kumar, co-starred together. The film's soundtrack was composed by veteran music director Shyam.

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