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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Keli Migacheivaal

From Rathna Kumar · 1949

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. U. Chinnappa
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Rathna Kumar1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaelimiga cheivaalShe plays playfully,
Kaettadhellaan thaan tharuvaalShe grants whatever is asked.
Kaelimiga cheivaalShe plays playfully,
Kaettadhellaan thaan tharuvaalShe grants whatever is asked.
Vaelaigalai seidhu kondaeWhile doing her household work,
Vaedikkai kaattiduvaalShe displays amusing antics.
Vaelaigalai seidhu kondaeWhile doing her household work,
Vaedikkai kaattiduvaalShe displays amusing antics.
Yaenadi nee naettriravu yaenIf I ask, 'Why were you angry
Kobam kondaa endraalat me last night?'
Yaenadi nee naettriravu yaenIf I ask, 'Why were you angry
Kobam kondaa endraalat me last night?'
Yaeriyilae meen pidithaenShe says, 'I caught a fish in the lake,
Pal novu vandhadhenbaaland got a toothache.'
Male
Veettilae endraikkumAt home, forever,
Oyaamal uzhaithiduvaalShe works endlessly without rest.
Veettilae endraikkumAt home, forever,
Oyaamal uzhaithiduvaalShe works endlessly without rest.
Paattilae ulla mellaamShe says, 'Look, I lost everything
Parikoduthaen paarumenbaalthat was in my song.'
Paattilae ulla mellaamShe says, 'Look, I lost everything
Parikoduthaen paarumenbaalthat was in my song.'
Male
Kittatthil vandhu nindruShe comes standing close,
Otti otti paesiduvaalAnd talks clinging closely.
Kittatthil vandhu nindruShe comes standing close,
Otti otti paesiduvaalAnd talks clinging closely.
Kitti anaindhidiloIf I hold her close in embrace,
Etti nindru paesu menbaalShe says, 'Stand at a distance and talk!'
Kitti anaindhidiloIf I hold her close in embrace,
Etti nindru paesu menbaalShe says, 'Stand at a distance and talk!'
Male
Maadhavalaal kandasugamThe happiness experienced through women
Miga undu kandeeris indeed great, you see.
Maadhavalaal kandasugamThe happiness experienced through women
Miga undu kandeeris indeed great, you see.
MaadhargalillaamalindhaWithout women in this world,
Maanilathil vaazhvumillaithere is no life.
MaadhargalillaamalindhaWithout women in this world,
Maanilathil vaazhvumillaithere is no life.
Male
Munn vinaiyaal naanumAs I was wilting with a broken heart
Manamudaindhu vaadugaiyildue to my past deeds,
Munn vinaiyaal naanumAs I was wilting with a broken heart
Manamudaindhu vaadugaiyildue to my past deeds,
Maadhavalai kandaenI saw a woman named Madhavi,
Maaladhi naan endraaland she said, 'I am Malathi.'
Maadhavalai kandaenI saw a woman named Madhavi,
Maaladhi naan endraaland she said, 'I am Malathi.'
Male
Kattazhagu ulla udalA exquisitely beautiful body,
Kannilae nalla gunam…mm..mm…mm…a noble character seen in her eyes...
Kaana kan koosum karum kuzhalaalDark hair so radiant it dazzles the eyes to behold,
Oppuyarvattra oyyaara nadaiyudanae…ae..ae…With an unequaled, majestic walking posture...
Enaikkandu kaaranamun kaettuSeeing me, she asked for the reason,
Oorum paerum oliyaamal koorumendraalAnd asked me to tell my hometown and name without hiding.
Male
Pasiyaara chorillaiThere was no rice to satisfy my hunger,
Paduthuranga veedillai…ee…ee..There was no home to lie down and sleep...
Nasithidindha sathirathilIn a dilapidated choultry,
Naan poi paduthirundhaenI had gone and laid down.
Nadu nisiyil paei koottamAt midnight, seeing a crowd of ghosts coming,
Varakkandu bayandhu…ee…ee…fearing for my life...
Odinaen odi olindhaenI ran and hid,
Ammammaa unai naan kandaen…Oh dear, then I saw you...
Naan unaik kandaenI saw you!
Male
Thaali kattum pendaattiTo marry as a wedded wife,
Thangu thadai yaedhumillaithere are no obstacles or hindrances.
Thaali kattum pendaattiTo marry as a wedded wife,
Thangu thadai yaedhumillaithere are no obstacles or hindrances.
Naanor anaadhai naadhiI am an orphan, destitute,
Yaedhu millaadhavanwithout anyone or anything.
Naanor anaadhai naadhiI am an orphan, destitute,
Yaedhu millaadhavanwithout anyone or anything.
Aana thuyaru kalavillaiMy endless sorrow did not diminish,
Aana thuyaru kalavillaiMy endless sorrow did not diminish,
Aadharithaal podhu mendraenI said it would suffice if she supported me.
Male
Andrumudhal naangalFrom that day onward,
Anbaalinaindhu vittomwe bonded through love.
Nagarathu veedhigalil gaganathuIn the city streets, like a celestial maiden
Kannigai polfrom the skies,
Aval aaduvaalShe would dance,
Male
Naan paaduvaen ambigai munnAnd I would sing before the Goddess.
Naan pala aanaigal ittapinnarAfter I gave many commands,
Nambikkai kondaal andhaOnce she gained trust,
Naayagiyai naan manandhaenI married that heroine.
Male
Aval kaana kidaikkaadha thangamShe is rare gold impossible to find,
Aval kaana kidaikkaadha thangamShe is rare gold impossible to find.
Maadhavalai naan peravaeTo obtain such a woman,
Enna thavam seidhu vittaenwhat penance did I perform?
Maadhavalai naan peravaeTo obtain such a woman,
Enna thavam seidhu vittaenwhat penance did I perform?
Kaana kidaikkaadha thangamRare gold impossible to find,
Male
Inbamudan vaazhkkaiyilaeIn a life of happiness,
Ilavarasithanai kanduseeing that princess,
En manam parikoduthaenI lost my heart.
Innalgal pala naerumendruWarning that many hardships would occur,
Iyambinaal needhi pala sonnaalShe spoke of many moral codes;
Niyaayam kaettaalShe asked for justice,
Azhudhaal pulambinaalShe wept and lamented,
Adithu thurathivittaenYet I beat her and drove her away.
Enniru kannin maniyaaiYou who emerged as the pupil of my two eyes,
Udhitha maamaniyaeO great gem born to me!
Maniyae en anbae amudhaeMy precious gem, my love, my nectar,
En aasai pokkishamaeMy cherished treasure!
Panbae paarinil pathini rathinamaeVirtue itself, a gem of a chaste woman in this world!
Indrunai pirindhaenToday I parted from you,
Indrunai pirindhaenToday I parted from you,
Indrunai pirindhaen…Today I parted from you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This narrative song from the film Rathna Kumar (1949) recounts a protagonist's journey of meeting, loving, marrying, and ultimately losing his beloved wife, Madhavi (also called Malathi). The song begins with playful and affectionate descriptions of her charming nature—her coy banter, untiring devotion to household duties, and endearing affection. The narrative then shifts to how the speaker, once a homeless orphan fleeing fear and hardship, met her and gained her trust. Joined by love, they shared a simple yet heavenly existence together. However, the emotional tone turns tragic towards the end. Despite her wisdom, moral guidance, and tears, the protagonist impulsively drove her away during a lapse of judgment. Realizing his tragic mistake, he grieves deeply for losing the 'rare gold' of his life and his chaste wife, lamenting the painful separation from his beloved treasure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorhyme / Emonai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Maadhavalaal kandasugam / Maadhargalillaamalindha

Repetition of second letter consonantal harmony in lines like 'Kaelimiga' / 'Kaettadhellaan' and 'Maadhavalaal' / 'Maadhargalillaamalindha'.

Simile (Upamai)

Nagarathu veedhigalil gaganathu / Kannigai pol

Comparing the heroine's graceful dancing on city streets to a celestial nymph ('gaganathu kannigai pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aval kaana kidaikkaadha thangam

Describing the wife as 'kaana kidaikkaadha thangam' (rare gold) and 'pathini rathiname' (gem among chaste women).

Anaphora / Repetition (Ettudhal)

Indrunai pirindhaen

Emphasis through repetitive phrasing such as 'Indrunai pirindhaen' (Today I parted from you) to heighten grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rathna Kumar (1949) starred P. U. Chinnappa and M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The lyrics were penned by the legendary Carnatic composer and lyricist Papanasam Sivan, known for blending classical Tamil poetry with dramatic storytelling.

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