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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavilum Unnai

From Macha Rekai · 1950

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, S. Varalakshmi
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Macha Rekai1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanavilum unnai maravenaeI will not forget you even in my dreams
Naan kanavilum unnai maravenaeI will not forget you even in my dreams
Kalangam illa chandranaeO stainless moon
MaanaeO deer-like one
Kalangam illa chandranaeO stainless moon
MaanaeO deer-like one
Kanavilum unnai maravenaeI will not forget you even in my dreams
Female
Kadhal amudhae en raaja naanaeNectar of love, my king
Kadhal amudhae en raaja naanaeNectar of love, my king
Kani vaai idhazh maevum premmai thaanaeLove that rests upon the sweet lips
Male :Kaniyae naanae kavarndhidum kiliyaanenMale: I am the fruit, and I have become the parrot that captivates it
Kaniyae naanae kavarndhidum kiliyaanenI am the fruit, and I have become the parrot that captivates it
Female :Igamadhil aanandhamaeFemale: Joy in this earthly world
Igamadhil aanandhamaeJoy in this earthly world
Naamae kanavilum inai piriyomaeWe shall never part even in our dreams
Kalangamilla inbamae naamaeWe are unblemished bliss itself
Male
Vaanil maevum thaara neeyaeYou are the star dwelling in the sky
Vaaraai vana raaniCome, queen of the forest
Female :Vaazhvil inbam thaaraai neeyaeFemale: You give happiness to my life
Vaaraai vana raajaCome, king of the forest
Male
Mogana punnagai seidhidumPossessing an enchanting smile
Moginiyae vana raaniO enchantress, queen of the forest
Female :Ahaa premaiFemale: Ah, love
Malar maevum manam pol naamaeLike the heart hovering over flowers, we are
Kanavilum inai piriyomaeWe shall never part even in our dreams
Female
Maaninam thulli thulliWhere herds of deer leap and bound
Vilaiyaadum solaiyaeIn the playful garden
Maanguyil kavi paadum velaiyaeAt the time when the mango-cuckoo sings poetry
Maaninam thulli thulliWhere herds of deer leap and bound
Vilaiyaadum solaiyaeIn the playful garden
Maanguyil kavi paadum velaiyaeAt the time when the mango-cuckoo sings poetry
Male :Naadhamum neeyae geedhamum naanaeMale: You are the musical tone and I am the melody
Namadhu vaazhvu sugam thaanaeOur life is indeed pure pleasure
Female
Theenjuvai kalaiyae sendhamil silaiyaeSweet art form, statue of pure Tamil
Igamadhil aanandhamae naamaeWe are joy in this earthly world
Male :Igamadhil aanandhamae naamaeMale: We are joy in this earthly world

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from Macha Rekai (1950) expresses the eternal love between two soulmates. Set against a scenic natural backdrop filled with leaping deer and singing cuckoos, the lovers promise that they will never separate, even in their dreams. They compare each other to heavenly stars, immaculate moonlight, sweet music, and pure Tamil poetry, celebrating their romantic bliss on earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Naadhamum neeyae geedhamum naanae

Comparing the lovers directly to tone and song, expressing their perfect harmonious union.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Maaninam thulli thulli / Maanguyil kavi paadum velaiyae

The second consonant sound 'na' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Maaninam' and 'Maanguyil').

Anaphora (Repetition)

Kanavilum unnai maravenae

Repetition of the phrase 'Kanavilum unnai maravenae' to emphasize unwavering eternal affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Macha Rekai (1950) featured music by the legendary composer C. R. Subbaraman, who was instrumental in shaping early South Indian film music and mentored famous duo M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy. The song features the rich operatic vocals of T. R. Mahalingam and S. Varalakshmi.

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