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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanpadume

From Kaathiruntha Kangal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Kaathiruntha Kangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Kan padumae pirar kan padumaeYou will catch the evil eye, others' gaze will fall upon you
Nee veliyae varalaamaaShould you really come outside?
Un kattazhagaana meniyai ooraarYour beautifully sculpted form, to the townspeople
Kannukku tharalaamaa} (2)Should you expose it to their sight?
Male
Pun padumae pun padumaeWounds will be caused, heartaches will be caused
Punnagai seiyalaamaaShould you smile like that?
Bhoomiyilae deviyai polLike a goddess on this earth
Oorvalam varalaamaaShould you go on a procession?
Male
Kan padumae pirar kan padumaeYou will catch the evil eye, others' gaze will fall upon you
Nee veliyae varalaamaaShould you really come outside?
Un kattazhagaana meniyai ooraarYour beautifully sculpted form, to the townspeople
Kannukku tharalaamaaShould you expose it to their sight?
Male
{Aadavar edhirae sellaadhaeDo not walk in front of men
Ambenum vizhiyaal kollaadhae} (2)Do not kill them with your arrow-like eyes
Male
Kaarirul polum koondhalai konduWith tresses that resemble dark clouds
Kanni un mugathai mooduYoung maiden, cover your face
Thamizh kaaviyam kaattum oviya pennaeO maiden like a classic painting from Tamil epics
Megathukkullae oduRun and hide inside the clouds
Male
Kan padumae pirar kan padumaeYou will catch the evil eye, others' gaze will fall upon you
Nee veliyae varalaamaaShould you really come outside?
Un kattazhagaana meniyai ooraarYour beautifully sculpted form, to the townspeople
Kannukku tharalaamaaShould you expose it to their sight?
Male
{Kannaadi munnaal nillaadhaeDo not stand in front of the mirror
Un kannalum unnai kaanaadhae} (2)Do not let even your own sweet eyes gaze upon you
Male
Mangai un azhagai maadhar kandaalumO maiden, even if other women look at your beauty
Mayangiduvaar konja neramThey will swoon for a moment
Indha maanidar ulagil vaazhgira varaikkumAs long as you live in this world of mortals
Thaniyae varuvadhu paavamStepping out alone is a sin
Male
Kan padumae pirar kan padumaeYou will catch the evil eye, others' gaze will fall upon you
Nee veliyae varalaamaaShould you really come outside?
Un kattazhagaana meniyai ooraarYour beautifully sculpted form, to the townspeople
Kannukku tharalaamaaShould you expose it to their sight?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil song expresses a lover's adoration and protective anxiety regarding his beloved's divine beauty. Fearing that the 'evil eye' (kan dristi) of onlookers will harm her, he playfully cautions her against stepping out in public, smiling freely, or walking in front of men. He describes her grace as that of an epic Tamil painting and a goddess walking on earth, warning that her charm is so overwhelming that even other women would swoon upon seeing her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Bhoomiyilae deviyai pol / Kaarirul polum koondhalai kondu

Compares the maiden to a goddess ('deviyai pol') and her hair to dense dark clouds/darkness ('Kaarirul polum koondhal').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Ambenum vizhiyaal kollaadhae

Metaphorically compares her sharp, piercing eyes to lethal arrows ('Ambenum vizhi').

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Aadavar edhirae sellaadhae / Ambenum vizhiyaal kollaadhae

Usage of matching initial consonants/vowels in consecutive lines ('Aadavar' / 'Ambenum').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Mangai un azhagai maadhar kandaalum / Mayangiduvaar konja neram

Exaggerating her beauty to say even other women would faint upon seeing her, and advising her not to even look in the mirror.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Kaathiruntha Kangal' (1962) was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics penned by Kannadasan and sung by P. B. Sreenivas. The movie stars Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and Devika in lead roles.

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