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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaviri Meen Vizhi

From Chain Jayapal · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Chain Jayapal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraalThe Kaveri angel with eyes like fish is passing by,
Paarvaiyo velli nilaaHer gaze is like the silver moon,
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaanoIs this maiden a temple dedicated to the god of love?
Female
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraalThe Kaveri angel with eyes like fish is passing by,
Paarvaiyo velli nilaaHer gaze is like the silver moon,
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaanoIs this maiden a temple dedicated to the god of love?
Male
Pattu poovaadai ennai thedaathoWon't the silky floral breeze come searching for me?
Paarvaigal poraadum neramIt is a time when glances collide and contend,
Female :Muththu thae vanthu nejil modhaathoFemale: Won't drops of nectar splash against the chest?
Kaayangal thaen sinthum kaalamThis is a season when even wounds drip sweet honey,
Male
Pennukkula aagaaya gangai kandaenInside the woman, I discovered a celestial Ganges,
Pon vanna odaththai angae kandaenThere, I beheld a golden-hued boat floating along,
Female :Pakkaththil nillungalFemale: Come stand close beside me,
Paarvaiyenna sollungalTell me what your romantic gaze is saying,
Male
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraalThe Kaveri angel with eyes like fish is passing by,
Female :Paarvaiyo velli nilaaFemale: Her gaze is like the silver moon,
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaanoIs this maiden a temple dedicated to the god of love?
Female
Mannan nee konjjum mangai naanendruSaying that you are the king and I am the fondling maiden,
Megangal raagangal paadumThe clouds shall sing melodies,
Male :Kannam thaen kinnam unnai naanallaMale: Your cheek is a cup of honey, taking you as my own,
Kalangal nerangal yaedhuWhat do constraints of time and moments matter now?
Female
Enenna aanantham aasai nenjaeWhat immense bliss fills this passionate heart!
Nenukkul kadhal thaer odum anbaeMy beloved, a grand chariot of love rides within the heart,
Male :Muththangal sinthavaa kayil alli kollavaaMale: Shall I shower sweet kisses, or gather them in my hands?
Female
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraalThe Kaveri angel with eyes like fish is passing by,
Paarvaiyo velli nilaaHer gaze is like the silver moon,
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaanoIs this maiden a temple dedicated to the god of love?
Male
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraalThe Kaveri angel with eyes like fish is passing by,
Paarvaiyo velli nilaaHer gaze is like the silver moon,
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaanoIs this maiden a temple dedicated to the god of love?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet celebrates the exquisite beauty of a woman and the mutual affection shared between two lovers. The male protagonist idealizes his beloved as a goddess with fish-shaped eyes reminiscent of the Kaveri river and a gaze as alluring as the silver moon, questioning if she is the temple of Lord Kama (Kaaman). As their passion deepens, rich classical imagery paints their romance as a celestial experience, comparing her inner beauty to the heavenly Ganges and their love to a grand chariot ride within the heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile) / Metaphor

Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal / Paarvaiyo velli nilaa

Compares the heroine's eyes to fish ('Meen vizhi') and her gaze to a silver moon ('Velli nilaa'), borrowing classic Sangam literature tropes.

Urvagham (Metaphor)

Male :Kannam thaen kinnam unnai naanalla

Directly identifies the heroine's cheek as a 'cup of honey' ('Thaen kinnam').

Hyperbole & Hyperbolic Imagery

Pennukkula aagaaya gangai kandaen / Pon vanna odaththai angae kandaen

Uses dramatic visual imagery of witnessing the celestial Ganges and a golden boat within the woman to highlight intense romantic admiration.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Pulamaipithan was famous for integrating traditional Tamil literary motifs (like comparing eyes to fish, 'Kayalvizhi') into mainstream Tamil cinema songs, giving modern film music a classical touch.

Keep listening

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