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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karumbilum Iniyathu

From Kaadhal Kiligal · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaadhal Kiligal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.
Arumbilum manamithu manamithuMore fragrant than a flower bud, this is fragrance.
Dhinam aayiram sugamithu sugamithuEvery day, this brings a thousand pleasures.
Female
Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.
Female
Kaarththigai yaettriya dheepangalThe lamps lit during the month of Kaarthigai.
En kadhal punnagai kolangalThe decorative patterns of my loving smile.
Margazhi munpani kaalangalThe early winter season of Margazhi.
Thirumanam enum veenaiyin raagangalThe melodies of the veena called marriage.
Female
Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.
Female
Kannam thamaraiyaaIs my cheek a lotus?
Enthan kaalgal thamaraiyaa…..aaaaa….Are my feet lotuses? Ah...
Ennam poo mazhaiyaaIs my thought a shower of flowers?
Ungal idhayam pon mazhaiyaa…..laalaalaaIs your heart a shower of gold? La la la...
Female
Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.
Female
Angayarkanni vadivilaeIn the divine form of Angayarkanni (Goddess Meenakshi).
Naan aadida vanthaen madiyilaeI came to dance upon your lap.
Mangala kunguma thalaivanaeO lord of auspicious vermilion.
En manathukku endrum iraivanaeForever the divine ruler of my heart.
Female
Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.
Arumbilum manamithu manamithuMore fragrant than a flower bud, this is fragrance.
Dhinam aayiram sugamithu sugamithuEvery day, this brings a thousand pleasures.
Female
: Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathuSweeter than sugarcane, it is sweet.
Uyar kavithaiyil pudhiyathu pudhiyathuNewer than new in noble poetry.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful celebration of love, marriage, and romantic bliss. The protagonist expresses the overwhelming joy of love by comparing it to the natural sweetness of sugarcane, the freshness of fine poetry, the fragrance of fresh buds, and the soothing warmth of Karthigai lamps and Margazhi breezes. She sees marriage as a harmonious melody played on a veena and compares her devotion to her husband to a divine connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile and Metaphor (Upamai and Uruvagaimai)

Thirumanam enum veenaiyin raagangal

Love and romantic experiences are directly compared to sugarcane sweetness, poetry, floral rain, and divine musical raagas.

Repetition / Sol-pin-varu-nilai-ani

Karumbilum iniyathu iniyathu

Doubling of words like 'iniyathu iniyathu', 'pudhiyathu pudhiyathu', and 'manamithu manamithu' adds a rhythmic cadence and emphasizes deep emotional satisfaction.

Cultural Imagery

Kaarththigai yaettriya dheepangal

The lyrics use traditional Tamil calendar months (Kaarthigai, Margazhi) and deity references ('Angayarkanni') to ground romantic imagery in classical Tamil heritage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary music director K. V. Mahadevan and sung by P. Susheela, this track features classic Kannadasan lyrics that integrate classical Tamil cultural elements like the auspicious lamps of Kaarthigai and winter chill of Margazhi into a romantic context.

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