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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
Movie name
Chain Jayapal
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
1 Jan 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal
Paarvaiyo velli nilaa
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaano
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal
Paarvaiyo velli nilaa
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaano
Pattu poovaadai ennai thedaatho
Paarvaigal poraadum neram
Female :Muththu thae vanthu nejil modhaatho
Kaayangal thaen sinthum kaalam
Pennukkula aagaaya gangai kandaen
Pon vanna odaththai angae kandaen
Female :Pakkaththil nillungal
Paarvaiyenna sollungal
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal
Female :Paarvaiyo velli nilaa
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaano
Mannan nee konjjum mangai naanendru
Megangal raagangal paadum
Male :Kannam thaen kinnam unnai naanalla
Kalangal nerangal yaedhu
Enenna aanantham aasai nenjae
Nenukkul kadhal thaer odum anbae
Male :Muththangal sinthavaa kayil alli kollavaa
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal
Paarvaiyo velli nilaa
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaano
Kaaviri meen vizhi devathai pogiraal
Paarvaiyo velli nilaa
Kanniyor kaaman kovilthaano
An angel with eyes like fish in the Cauvery walks by,
Her gaze is like the silver moon.
Is this young woman a temple of the god of love?
An angel with eyes like fish in the Cauvery walks by,
Her gaze is like the silver moon.
Is this young woman a temple of the god of love?
Won't the soft, floral breeze come searching for me,
At this hour when our eyes clash in love?
Female: Won't a chariot of pearls come and crash into my heart?
This is the season when sweet wounds spill honey.
Within this woman, I saw the heavenly Ganga,
And there, I saw a golden boat.
Female: Stand beside me,
And tell me what your look means.
An angel with eyes like fish in the Cauvery walks by,
Female: Her gaze is like the silver moon.
Is this young woman a temple of the god of love?
Saying that I am the woman cherished by you, my king,
The clouds sing sweet melodies.
Male: Your cheek is a cup of honey; to gather you close,
Do we need any special time or hour?
What joy this is, my longing heart!
A chariot of love races in my heart, my dear.
Male: Shall kisses shower down, and shall I take you in my arms?
An angel with eyes like fish in the Cauvery walks by,
Her gaze is like the silver moon.
Is this young woman a temple of the god of love?
An angel with eyes like fish in the Cauvery walks by,
Her gaze is like the silver moon.
Is this young woman a temple of the god of love?
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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