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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmani Ponmani

From Thambathyam · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thambathyam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enga veetu mahalakshmiyeOh Goddess Lakshmi of our house,
Mangaiyar thilagamae madhar kula maanikameyOh crest-jewel among women, gem of womankind!
Sindhaiyil naan dhinam paadum en sindhu bairaviyaeMy Sindhu Bhairavi, whom I sing of daily in my thoughts,
Aaa…aaa….aa…..aaa….aa….aa…aah….[Vocalizing]
Male
Kanmani ponmani en maharaniOh darling, my precious gem, my queen,
Kangalae kaanumo un malarmeniWill my eyes ever behold your flower-like form?
Deviyin kovilthaan thirandhida koodumoWill the temple of the goddess ever open?
Thirumugam malarinthida dharisanam kedaikumoWill I get a vision of your divine face blossoming?
Male
Kanmani ponmani en maharaniOh darling, my precious gem, my queen,
Kangalae kaanumo un malarmeniWill my eyes ever behold your flower-like form?
Male
Kuzhanthai pola oru paal manam poomanamYou possess an innocent heart like a child, pure as milk and gentle as a flower,
Vaaithaval nee inguthaanaeAre you not right here, blessed with such a nature?
Unnai nanae arivaenaeDo I not know you well?
Madiyil thaangi unnai thaaiyene konjiyaAs a father who cradled you on his lap and doted on you like a mother,
Thagapanai azha veikalaamaaIs it right to make your father weep?
Idhu yaemma ingu vaama….Why is this so, my child? Come here, dear...
Aaa…aaa….aa…..aaa….aa….aa…aah…[Vocalizing]
Chorus
Mummyai theduthu pillaigalaeThe children are searching for their mummy,
Mani vizhi vaaduthu killaigalaeThe little parrot-like children are wilting with sorrowful eyes,
Male :Padungindra paadu podhumen devi va ingu vaEnough of the suffering we are enduring, my goddess, come here!
Male
Kanmani ponmani en maharaniOh darling, my precious gem, my queen,
Kangalae kaanumo un malarmeniWill my eyes ever behold your flower-like form?
Male
Kadhavai moodi oru naadagamadiYou shut the door and play this drama,
Sogangal alaiyena mothumWhile sorrows strike us like crashing waves,
Adi pothum pidivathamOh dear, enough of this stubbornness!
Manayil maalayitta naayagan naanadiI am the husband who placed the garland around your neck in our home,
Maanathai vaanguthal paavamIt is a sin to publicly humiliate me and ruin my honor,
En kobam mansthaabam….Forget my anger and past grievances...
Aaa…aaa….aa…..aaa….aa….aa…aah…[Vocalizing]
Chorus
Nee vandhu podanum saapaaduYou must come and serve us food,
Adhuvarai poduvom kupaaduUntil then, we will raise a racket!
Male :Kudumbathil nee indri aanandham yaedhuWithout you, where is the joy in this family?
Vaa ingu vaaCome here, come!
Male
Kanmani ponmani en maharaniOh darling, my precious gem, my queen,
Kangalae kaanumo un malarmeniWill my eyes ever behold your flower-like form?
Deviyin kovilthaan thirandhida koodumoWill the temple of the goddess ever open?
Thirumugam malarinthida dharisanam kedaikumoWill I get a vision of your divine face blossoming?
Male
Kanmani ponmani en maharaniOh darling, my precious gem, my queen,
Kangalae kaanumo un malarmeniWill my eyes ever behold your flower-like form?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Thambathyam' (1987) is a heartfelt, persuasive plea sung by a husband trying to reconcile with his angry or locked-away wife. He praises her as the Lakshmi (goddess of prosperity) of their home, highlighting her purity, loving nature, and crucial role as the heart of the family. He calls upon her maternal instincts by mentioning how the children miss her, and pleads with her to drop her stubbornness and open the door so joy can return to their household.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Enga veetu mahalakshmiye

Comparing the wife to Goddess Lakshmi ('Enga veetu mahalakshmiye'), a flower ('malarmeni'), and a divine musical raga ('sindhu bairaviye') elevates her status to divine and beautiful.

Edhai / Rhyming & Alliteration (எதுகை)

Mummyai theduthu pillaigalae

The second letter rhyme between 'Mummyai' and 'Mani vizhi' creates a musical rhythm in the stanza.

Iyaibu / End Rhyme (இயைபு)

Nee vandhu podanum saapaadu

Matching end sounds in 'saapaadu' and 'kupaadu' creates playfulness and domestic charm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by the music duo Manoj–Gyan, who were popular in Tamil and Telugu cinema during the late 1980s. Lyricist Vaali cleverly blends traditional imagery (comparing the wife to Goddess Lakshmi and a temple deity) with modern domestic touchpoints (children calling for 'Mummy') to create an endearing emotional plea.

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