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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kangalin Vennilave

From Manimekalai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, P. Bhanumathi
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Manimekalai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kangalin vennilavaeO moonlit light of my eyes,
Ullaasa kaadhal tharum madhuveO sweet wine that bestows blissful love,
Sallaabha kaadhal paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing of joyous love,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Female
Ilamaiyin thaen alaiyaeO honeyed wave of youthfulness,
Vinn meedhu oli tharum thaaragaiyeO star that radiates light in the sky,
Mann meedhu gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing music upon this earth,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Female
Ilamaiyin thaen alaiyaeO honeyed wave of youthfulness,
Vinn meedhu oli tharum thaaragaiyeO star that radiates light in the sky,
Mann meedhu gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing music upon this earth,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Male
Venn malar mel paniyeO dewdrop resting upon a white flower,
Anbaaga solvadhu namm kadhaiyeTelling our sweet love story affectionately,
Haa aa aa aa aa aa aa haa aa aaHaa aa aa aa aa aa aa haa aa aa
Venn malar mel paniyeO dewdrop resting upon a white flower,
Anbaaga solvadhu namm kadhaiyeTelling our sweet love story affectionately,
Panbaaga gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing songs with refined grace,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Female
Kaaviri aazh kadal polLike the river Kaveri merging into the deep ocean,
Kann kaana kaattrodu menn kulir polLike soft coolness intertwined with the invisible breeze,
Haa aa aa aa aa aa aa haa aa aaHaa aa aa aa aa aa aa haa aa aa
Kaaviri aazh kadal polLike the river Kaveri merging into the deep ocean,
Kann kaana kaattrodu menn kulir polLike soft coolness intertwined with the invisible breeze,
Ondraaga gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing melody united as one,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Male
Ennuyir maamaniye ippailO precious jewel of my very soul, in this journey,
Yaarum illai thaniye mei kaahalNo one is alone when blessed with true love,
Gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing joyful songs,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.
Female
In seiyum kaar ugileO sweet rain-bearing cloud,
Ondraaga konjudhal un ezhileYour beauty shines in our shared fondling,
Deiveega gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naamWe are skylarks singing divine songs,
Alai polae inaivomWe shall merge together like ocean waves.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the 1959 classic film Manimekalai depicts two lovers celebrating their boundless, divine affection for each other. Using poetic imagery drawn from nature, the lovers compare their connection to the seamless union of the Kaveri river joining the sea, the unseen cool breeze blending with the air, and dew resting gently on a white flower. Throughout the song, they identify as 'vaanam paadi' (skylarks), soaring high and singing joyously together, expressing that true love makes soulmates inseparable and completes their lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Alai polae inaivom

Compares the lovers' union to ocean waves merging ('Alai polae inaivom') and the Kaveri river flowing into the deep ocean ('Kaaviri aazh kadal pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kangalin vennilavae

Describes the beloved metaphorically as moonlight in the eyes ('Kangalin vennilavae') and a honeyed wave of youth ('Ilamaiyin thaen alaiyae').

Refrain / Repetition

Gaanam paadidum vaanam paadi naam / Alai polae inaivom

The phrase 'vaanam paadi naam / Alai polae inaivom' serves as a recurring refrain emphasizing their eternal harmony.

Mona (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kaaviri aazh kadal pol / Kann kaana kaattrodu menn kulir pol

Alliteration of the initial consonant sounds in 'Kaaviri' and 'Kann kaana' enhances the lyrical flow.

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Trivia

This romantic duet was composed by the legendary G. Ramanathan for the 1959 Tamil film 'Manimekalai'. It was sung by T. R. Mahalingam and P. Bhanumathi, both of whom were iconic lead actors and celebrated classical singers of Tamil cinema's golden era. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi penned the lyrics rich in classical Tamil metaphors.

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