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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovai Sevvithazh

From Rathna Manjari · 1961

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
Rajan Nagendra
Movie name
Rathna Manjari
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
17 May 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kovai sevvidhazh kanindhadhadi
Ilangombhu thaen malar thirandhadhadi
Chorus :Kovai sevvidhazh kanindhadhadi
Ilangombhu thaen malar thirandhadhadi
Female :Anbu vellathil neeradi
Than thunbathai neekka ennuthadi
Chorus :Anbu vellathil neeradi
Than thunbathai neekka ennuthadi
Aasai tharungadhai namadhaagum
Kan asaiyum kaadhalukkinaiyaagum
Aanandhamaandhu ondraagum
Adhu vaazhkaiyin suvaiyulla ilam paruvam
Uyirulla thunaiyulla poonjedigal
Ilangaadhalin yavvana kulakodigal
Inithidum kalaigalum menmai pera
Isai vanjiyar manadhilae oli thondra
The scarlet lips have ripened, my friend,
The honeyed flower on the tender branch has opened.
Chorus: The scarlet lips have ripened, my friend,
The honeyed flower on the tender branch has opened.
Female: Bathing in the flood of love,
It longs to wash away its sorrows.
Chorus: Bathing in the flood of love,
It longs to wash away its sorrows.
This story of desire belongs to us,
Equal to the love that stirs in glancing eyes.
There is one supreme joy,
It is this sweet, youthful season of life.
Flowering plants with living companions,
Youthful vines blooming with tender love,
As sweet arts grow softer and graceful,
A bright light dawns in the hearts of lovely women.
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song celebrates the joy, beauty, and bloom of youth and love. Through natural imagery such as blooming flowers, honeyed branches, and ripening fruit, the song depicts the awakening of romance and emotional fulfillment. It highlights how love immerses the mind in joy, washing away grief and inspiring poetic and musical expression among young maidens. The lyricist connects nature's flourishing state with the bloom of human youth, portraying love as a divine flood that enriches the arts and brings inner illumination to young women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Kovai sevvidhazh kanindhadhadi

Compares red lips to the ripe Kovai (ivy gourd) fruit ('Kovai sevvidhazh'), a classical Tamil poetic convention.

Rupakam (Metaphor)

Anbu vellathil neeradi

'Anbu vellam' metaphors love as an overflowing flood that immerses the soul.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aasai tharungadhai namadhaagum

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('namadhaagum', 'kinaiyaagum', 'ondraagum').

Personification

Uyirulla thunaiyulla poonjedigal

Flowering plants ('poonjedigal') and vines ('kulakodigal') are personified as youthful companions capable of feeling and reflecting love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rathna Manjari (1961) was originally made in Kannada and dubbed/remade in Tamil. The soundtrack marked one of the early Tamil assignments for the legendary Kannada music composer duo Rajan-Nagendra.

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