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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovilukku Poojai Seiya

From Nanda En Nila · 1977

Lyricist
Ra. Pazhanisami
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Nanda En Nila1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kovilukkul poojai seiyya ponavalShe went inside the temple to perform worship,
Gopurathin kalasam polae sendravalShe walked high like the pinnacle atop the temple tower.
Naadum anbilae pedham kalanthathaalBecause discrimination diluted the love she sought,
Nangai nilai kulainthu pogiraalThe maiden loses her stability and crumbles,
Nenjil puyal sumanthu pogiraalCarrying a storm within her heart.
Female
Aazhkadal mutheduthuGathering pearls from the deep ocean,
Azhagaaga korthu vaithaalShe strung them together beautifully,
Aanaalum vantha vidhiYet, fate arrived
Adhai parithu sendrathammaaAnd snatched it away from her.
Female
Nilavai paarthirunthaalWhile she was gazing at the moon,
Idithaan vizhunthathammaaLightning and thunder struck down upon her!
Nilavai paarthirunthaalWhile she was gazing at the moon,
Idithaan vizhunthathammaaLightning and thunder struck down upon her!
Ninaivil vaazhanthavanaiThe man who lived in her memories—
Izhanthaal paavaiyammaaThe maiden has lost him forever.
Female
Kovilukkul poojai seiyya ponavalShe went inside the temple to perform worship,
Gopurathin kalasam polae sendravalShe walked high like the pinnacle atop the temple tower.
Naadum anbilae pedham kalanthathaalBecause discrimination diluted the love she sought,
Nangai nilai kulainthu pogiraalThe maiden loses her stability and crumbles,
Nenjil puyal sumanthu pogiraalCarrying a storm within her heart.
Female
Devanin maaligaikkuTo the palace of her lord,
Deviyum vanthu nindraalThe goddess came and stood,
Kaaval kappavanoBut the guardian at the gate
Kadhavugalai moodi vittaanClosed the doors right on her face.
Female
Iniyoru vaazhkkaiyillaiThere is no future life left for her,
Idhyaththil inbamillaiThere is no joy remaining in her heart.
Iniyoru vaazhkkaiyillaiThere is no future life left for her,
Idhyaththil inbamillaiThere is no joy remaining in her heart.
Thani vazhi sellugindraalShe walks along a lonely path,
Thunaiyae illaiyammaaWith no companion by her side.
Female
Kovilukkul poojai seiyya ponavalShe went inside the temple to perform worship,
Gopurathin kalasam polae sendravalShe walked high like the pinnacle atop the temple tower.
Naadum anbilae pedham kalanthathaalBecause discrimination diluted the love she sought,
Nangai nilai kulainthu pogiraalThe maiden loses her stability and crumbles,
Nenjil puyal sumanthu pogiraalCarrying a storm within her heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Nanda En Nila' expresses deep anguish over societal prejudice ruining a woman's pure love and life. The lyrics describe a virtuous maiden who approached her love with total devotion, much like a worshipper entering a temple, only to have her dreams crushed by social barriers and harsh fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Gopurathin kalasam polae sendraval

Compares the maiden's dignity and pure stature to the exalted pinnacle atop a temple tower.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjil puyal sumanthu pogiraal

Equates her profound emotional agony and turbulence to carrying an actual storm inside her heart.

Irony and Contrast

Nilavai paarthirunthaal / Idithaan vizhunthathammaa

Contrasts the peaceful act of looking at the gentle moon with the sudden violence of a lightning strike.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Naadum anbilae pedham kalanthathaal

Use of matching initial consonants across consecutive lines for poetic rhythm (Naadum / Nangai / Nenjil).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film features music by the revered Malayalam maestro V. Dakshinamurthy, who infrequently composed for Tamil films, making his soundtrack for 'Nanda En Nila' a notable artistic collaboration alongside P. Susheela's emotive rendition.

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