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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathalikka Enakku Kattru

From Pennai Nambungal · 1973

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Pennai Nambungal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
……………….To you who taught me how to love,
Male
Kadhalikka enakku katru thantha unakkuWhat offering should I give?
Kaanikkai enna tharavo…oo….To hold a concert after getting married,
Kalyaanam mudiththu katcheri vaikkaShould I fix an auspicious day and come?
Naal paarththu naan varavo…oo….To you who taught me how to love,
Male
Kadhalikka enakku katru thantha unakkuWhat offering should I give?
Kaanikkai enna tharavo…oo….To hold a concert after getting married,
Kalyaanam mudiththu katcheri vaikkaShould I fix an auspicious day and come?
Naal paarththu naan varavo…oo….Whenever I saw women,
Male
Pengalai paarththathumI used to close my eyes.
Kangalai mooduvaenAha, whenever I saw women,
Aahaa pengalai paarththathumI used to close my eyes.
Kangalai mooduvaenUpon seeing you,
Male
Unnai naan paarththathumWhy did I change today?
Indru yaen maarinaenWhy did I change today?
Indru yaen maarinaenNon-singing honeybees, non-flowing honey rivers,
Male
Paadaatha thaeneekkal paayaatha thaenaaruNon-blowing gentle breezes,
Odaatha poonthendralDo they exist? Tell me, my dear!
Undo nee sollammaaMy darling, struck by your gaze,
Kannae un kannpattuMy heart got wounded,
En ullam punpattuDid romantic desires arise,
Mogangal undaanaathoOr did I become a wandering beetle?
Sendaadum vandaanathoTo you who taught me how to love,
Male
Kadhalikka enakku katru thantha unakkuWhat offering should I give?
Kaanikkai enna tharavo…oo….To hold a concert after getting married,
Kalyaanam mudiththu katcheri vaikkaShould I fix an auspicious day and come?
Naal paarththu naan varavo…oo….The Menaka of those ancient days,
Male
Antha naal menagaiCame only to mesmerize;
Vanthathae mayakkaththaanThe Menaka of those ancient days,
Antha naal menagaiCame only to mesmerize;
Vanthathae mayakkaththaanThe beautiful woman of today,
Intha naal kaarigaiCame for that very reason too,
Vanthathum adhukkuththaanSo that I can gather and embrace her!
Alli naan anaikkaththaanJoyful music lessons won't begin,
Male
Aanantha paadangal aarambam aagaathuDesires won't end, a man's longing is intense;
Aasaigal theeraathu aan paavam pollaathuWhen I search for you, you shouldn't run away;
Naan thedum neraththil nee oda koodaathuCome close to touch and play,
Kittaththil thottaada vaaShed your shyness and run to me!
Vetkaththai vittodi vaaTo you who taught me how to love,
Male
Kadhalikka enakku katru thantha unakkuWhat offering should I give?
Kaanikkai enna tharavo…oo….To hold a concert after getting married,
Kalyaanam mudiththu katcheri vaikkaShould I fix an auspicious day and come?
Naal paarththu naan varavo…oo….Should I fix an auspicious day and come?
Naal paarththu naan varavo…oo….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this playful and romantic song, the male protagonist expresses his deep passion and gratitude to his lover, who taught him the joy of love. He admits that he used to ignore women completely by closing his eyes, but meeting her transformed him instantly. He uses metaphors of nature—bees, honey rivers, and gentle breezes—to show that his attraction to her is natural and inevitable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadhalikka / Kaanikkai / Kalyaanam

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across lines to create rhythmic flow.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kannae un kannpattu / En ullam punpattu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'nn' across adjacent lines.

Metaphor & Rhetorical Question

Paadaatha thaeneekkal paayaatha thaenaaru / Odaatha poonthendral / Undo nee sollammaa

Comparing the natural state of love to bees, rivers, and breezes, asking if they can ever exist without their natural tendencies.

Allusion

Antha naal menagai vanthathae mayakkaththaan

Mythological reference to Menaka, the celestial nymph known for her irresistible charm, comparing the heroine to her.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar for the 1973 movie 'Pennai Nambungal', this track features legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam delivering a energetic and playful performance. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lyrics with clever Tamil poetic embellishments like Edhugai and Monai.

Keep listening

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