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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Konjidum Mangai

From Azhagar Malai Kalvan · 1959

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
B. Gopalam
Details
Azhagar Malai Kalvan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Konjidum mangai kumariyaanaalWhen a playful girl grows into a maiden,
Gunangal uyarnthidum pennaavaalShe becomes a woman of noble character.
Kundraatha penmai seer peruvaalShe attains the full glory of undiminished womanhood.
Kundraatha penmai seer peruvaalShe attains the full glory of undiminished womanhood.
Female
Aasai ennanngal mevum kannangalWith eyes reflecting her desirable thoughts,
Naana punnagai kaattuvaalShe displays a shy and bashful smile.
Aasai ennanngal mevum kannangalWith eyes reflecting her desirable thoughts,
Naana punnagai kaattuvaalShe displays a shy and bashful smile.
Vaasa men malar kann pesuvaalHer eyes speak like fragrant, soft flowers,
Kulir vasantham polavae min veesuvaalShe shines bright like a refreshing spring season.
Female
Konjidum mangai kumariyaanaalWhen a playful girl grows into a maiden,
Gunangal uyarnthidum pennaavaalShe becomes a woman of noble character.
Kundraatha penmai seer peruvaalShe attains the full glory of undiminished womanhood.
Female
Manjal kunguma maatharkal pottridumPraised by married women who wear turmeric and kumkum,
Mangarkarasi polavaeShe stands like an auspicious queen among women.
Aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…Aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…
Female
Manjal kunguma maatharkal pottridumPraised by married women who wear turmeric and kumkum,
Mangarkarasi polavaeShe stands like an auspicious queen among women.
Nangai vaazhnthida nool padippaalThe young woman reads books to lead a meaningful life,
Kattru nadanthae panpudan per eduppaalShe learns, lives by those values, and gains renown through cultured behavior.
Nadanthe panpudan per eduppaalLiving with grace, she earns a distinguished name.
Female
Thaayum thanthaiyumthaan kanda deivamaaiRegarding her mother and father as visible gods,
Vaazhvil enniyae pottruvaalShe honors and cherishes them throughout her life.
Kovil polavae kondaaduvaalShe reveres her home and elders like a temple.
Pettra kudumbam vaazhnthida panpaaduvaalShe acts with propriety so that her birth family flourishes.
Female
Konjidum mangai kumariyaanaalWhen a playful girl grows into a maiden,
Gunangal uyarnthidum pennaavaalShe becomes a woman of noble character.
Kundraatha penmai seer peruvaalShe attains the full glory of undiminished womanhood.
Kundraatha penmai seer peruvaalShe attains the full glory of undiminished womanhood.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Azhagar Malai Kalvan' celebrates the coming-of-age and virtue of a young woman. It describes the physical and behavioral transformation of a young girl into a cultured maiden, emphasizing the traditional feminine virtues of modesty, respect for parents, pursuit of wisdom through reading, and upholding family honor. The lyrics portray a ideal woman whose presence brings joy and brightness like the spring season, earning respect from society and her family through her noble conduct.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kulir vasantham polavae min veesuvaal

Compares the maiden's aura to the cool spring season ('Kulir vasantham polavae') and her reverence for parents to worshipping in a temple ('Kovil polavae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaasa men malar kann pesuvaal

Her expressive eyes are metaphorically compared to soft, fragrant flowers speaking feelings.

Emonies / Alliteration (Monai)

Konjidum mangai kumariyaanaal

Initial letter consonantal matching across words in a line, such as 'Konjidum' and 'Kumariyaanaal', or 'Thaayum' and 'Thanthaiyum'.

Refrain / Repetition

Konjidum mangai kumariyaanaal

The opening lines are repeated after stanzas as a refrain to reinforce the central theme of virtuous womanhood.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by B. Gopalam for the 1959 Tamil film 'Azhagar Malai Kalvan'. Sung by the legendary singer P. Susheela with lyrics by Puratchi Dasan, it remains a classic example of early Tamil film songs emphasizing traditional values and maternal/filial devotion.

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