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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanniyur Salaiyile Ponnu

From Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. H. Reddy
Details
Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanniyur saalaiyilae..ae…ae…ae…On the road to Kanniyur...
Ponnu kalai parikka pogaiyilaeWhen the young girl went to pluck weeds,
Andha chinna machaan sevatha kannuWhy did that young man with fair reddish eyes
Ava pinnalae ..pinnalae edhukku vandhaanFollow behind her... follow behind her?
Edhuku vandhaanWhy did he come?
Male
Sollamathaan purinjikalaamaeCan't you understand without it being said
Oru jaadaiyilaeThrough just a single subtle gesture?
Idhai sollamathaan purinjikalaamaeCan't you understand this without words
Oru jaadaiyilaeThrough just a single subtle gesture?
Ullam rendum onnaachiBoth our hearts became one,
Pudhu ullasanthaan kandaachuAnd a new joy was found!
Female
Sollamathaan purinjikittenaeI understood without you saying a word
Oru jaadaiyilaeThrough just a single subtle gesture.
Ullam rendum onnaachiBoth our hearts became one,
Pudhu ullasanthaan undaachuAnd a new joy was created!
Female
Summa kidantha mullai kodiThe jasmine vine that was lying idle,
Thulli edhukku vaadudhu adhuWhy is it leaping and yearning?
Male :Adi suthi padara kombai thediMale: Searching for a branch to climb and wrap around,
Thudichi thudichi vaadudhuIt yearns and writhes in eagerness.
Female
Thoongaama sittu renduTwo sleepless sparrows,
Thodarndhu enna pesudhuWhat are they talking about continuously?
Thoongaama sittu renduTwo sleepless sparrows,
Thodarndhu enna pesudhuWhat are they talking about continuously?
Male
Adhu jodiyaana magizhchiyilaeIn the joy of being a paired couple,
Sondha kadhaiyai pesudhuThey are sharing their personal story.
Suthanthiramaana koodu kattiBuilding a nest freely,
Oru manama vaazhudhuLiving with a single mind.
Female
Andha nilaiyum ..indha nilaiyumThat state and this state...
Male :Sondha nilaiyai kilarudhaeMale: Stirs up one's own personal state!
Female
Polladha aadu ondruA naughty goat,
Ullae enna pakkudhuWhat is it peeking at inside?
Polladha aadu ondruA naughty goat,
Ullae enna pakkudhuWhat is it peeking at inside?
Male :Pudhupennum maappillaiyumMale: It is watching the perfect match
Poruthamaanadhu pakkudhuOf the new bride and groom.
Female
Poonguyilum yaarukkaagaFor whom is the sweet cuckoo bird
Yengi yengi koovudhuCooing with longing and yearning?
Poonguyilum yaarukkaagaFor whom is the sweet cuckoo bird
Yengi yengi koovudhuCooing with longing and yearning?
Male
Aan kuyilai kaanamal thaanOnly because it cannot find the male cuckoo,
Avasarama koovudhuIt calls out in urgency.
Anbu meeri mayakkathilaeIn a trance of overwhelming love,
Angum ingum paayudhuIt leaps back and forth.
Female
Andha nilaiyum.. indha nilaiyumThat state and this state...
Male :Sondha nilaiyai kilarudhaeMale: Stirs up one's own personal state!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet portrays a newly in-love couple exchanging subtle glances and observing the vibrant countryside around them. As they notice nature's happenings—a jasmine vine reaching out for a supporting stick, a pair of sparrows building a nest, a naughty goat peeking at a couple, and a lonely cuckoo calling for her mate—they draw poetic parallels to their own deep emotional connection, realizing that every element of nature reflects their own growing love and desire to live together as one.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Analogy/Metaphor)

Summa kidantha mullai kodi thulli edhukku vaadudhu adhu

The longing of the lovers is poetically compared to a jasmine vine (mullai kodi) eagerly searching for a supporting stick (kombu) to intertwine around.

Personification

Adhu jodiyaana magizhchiyilae sondha kadhaiyai pesudhu

Sparrows are personified as a married couple sharing intimate personal stories and intentionally choosing to live with 'a single mind'.

Refrain / Iyaibu

Andha nilaiyum ..indha nilaiyum sondha nilaiyai kilarudhae

The line 'Andha nilaiyum.. indha nilaiyum sondha nilaiyai kilarudhae' acts as a repeated thematic refrain emphasizing how external natural sights reflect internal emotional states.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this song exemplifies his signature style of blending simple folk imagery with tender romantic themes, making profound emotions accessible through everyday pastoral observations.

Keep listening

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