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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malargal Nanaindhana

From Idhaya Kamalam · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Idhaya Kamalam1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight
Pozhudhum vidindhadhu kadhiraalae…The day dawned with the rays of the sun...
Pozhudhum vidindhadhu kadhiraalaeThe day dawned with the rays of the sun
Sugam pongi ezhundhadhu ninaivaalaePleasure overflowed at the surge of memories
Female
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight
Female
Kannan kovilil thuyil kondaanLord Krishna went to sleep in his temple
Iru kannam kuzhi vizha nagai seidhaanHe smiled, causing dimples on both cheeks
Kannan kovilil thuyil kondaanLord Krishna went to sleep in his temple
Iru kannam kuzhi vizha nagai seidhaanHe smiled, causing dimples on both cheeks
Ennai nilaavinil thuyar seidhaanHe brought a sweet sorrow to me under the moonlight
Ennai nilaavinil thuyar seidhaanHe brought a sweet sorrow to me under the moonlight
Adhil ethanai ethanai sugam vaithaanOh, how much bliss he embedded within that sorrow!
Female
Saerndhu magizhndhu poraadiUniting, rejoicing, and playfully lingering together
Thalai seevi mudithen neeraadiI took my bath and combed my hair
Saerndhu magizhndhu poraadiUniting, rejoicing, and playfully lingering together
Thalai seevi mudithaen neeraadiI took my bath and combed my hair
Kannathai paarthaen munnaadiI looked at my reflection's cheek ahead
Kannathai paarthaen munnaadiI looked at my reflection's cheek ahead
Patta kaayathai sonnadhu kannaadiThe mirror revealed the mark of love's gentle bruise
Female
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight
Female
Iraivan murugan thiru veettilIn the sacred abode of Lord Murugan
En idhayathinaal oru vilakkaetriI light a lamp made of my heart
Iraivan murugan thiru veettilIn the sacred abode of Lord Murugan
En idhayathinaal oru vilakkaetriI light a lamp made of my heart
Uyirenum kaadhal neiyootriPouring the ghee of love which is my soul
Uyirenum kaadhal neiyootriPouring the ghee of love which is my soul
Unnodiruppen malaradi potriI will remain with you, praising your flower-like feet
Female
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight
Pozhudhum vidindhadhu kadhiraalaeThe day dawned with the rays of the sun
Sugam pongi ezhundhadhu ninaivaalaePleasure overflowed at the surge of memories
Female
Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalaeThe flowers were drenched in the dew
En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalaeMy heart too was cooled by the moonlight

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic song depicts a woman's serene and joyful reflections on a night of intimacy with her lover. As dawn breaks, she compares nature's dew and sunlight to her own emotional awakening and joyful memories. She recalls the sweet playful moments of love that left subtle physical marks, framing her physical and emotional union not merely as pleasure, but as a sacred act. In the concluding stanzas, she elevates her romantic devotion to spiritual worship, offering her heart as a lamp and her soul's love as ghee at the temple of Lord Murugan. Through Kannadasan's tender lyrics, love is portrayed as a harmonious blend of natural beauty, intimate passion, and spiritual sanctity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyeibu (End Rhyme)

Malargal nanaindhana paniyaalae / En manadhum kulirndhadhu nilavaalae

Extensive use of the suffix '-aalae' at the end of consecutive lines (paniyaalae, nilavaalae, kadhiraalae, ninaivaalae) creates a gentle, rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Uyirenum kaadhal neiyootri

Comparing love and the soul to ghee ('Uyirenum kaadhal neiyootri') and the heart to a lamp ('En idhayathinaal oru vilakkaetri').

Oxymoron / Paradox

Ennai nilaavinil thuyar seidhaan ... Adhil ethanai ethanai sugam vaithaan

Combining sadness/sorrow ('thuyar') with delight ('sugam') to describe the sweet ache of passionate love.

Ethirai (Second-letter Assonance)

Kannathai paarthaen munnaadi / Patta kaayathai sonnadhu kannaadi

Matching second consonants across lines to create internal harmony, such as 'Kannathai' and 'Patta' / 'Saerndhu' and 'Thalai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung soulfully by P. Susheela for the 1965 movie 'Idhaya Kamalam', this song is widely celebrated for Kannadasan's subtle and elegant expression of romantic intimacy without vulgarity.

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