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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manikka Veenaiyin

From Veedu Varai Uravu · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Veedu Varai Uravu1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanikka veenaiyin raagamThe melody of the ruby-studded veena
Kaanikkai thanthu mogamBestows desire as a sacred offering.
Maanikka veenaiyin raagamThe melody of the ruby-studded veena
Kaanikkai thanthu mogamBestows desire as a sacred offering.
Male
Isai oonjalilae asaainthaadattumLet it swing gently on the musical cradle,
Viral saerththu thanthiyai meettattumaaShall I join my fingers and strum the strings?
Female
Paalaattrangarai meedhuOn the banks of the Palar river,
Pazhanthottam paarkkindra kangalaeEyes that gaze upon a fruit orchard.
Paathaathi kesangal sugamaanaFrom head to toe, comforting
Raagangal pengalaeMelodies are women!
Female
Paalaattrangarai meedhuOn the banks of the Palar river,
Pazhanthottam paarkkindra kangalaeEyes that gaze upon a fruit orchard.
Paathaathi kesangal sugamaanaFrom head to toe, comforting
Raagangal pengalaeMelodies are women!
Male
Thaazhampoovin thegam polaeLike the soft body of a screwpine flower,
Thaazhampoovin thegam polaeLike the soft body of a screwpine flower,
Thazhuvum koondhalil piranthathu naadhamA divine musical sound was born in the embracing tresses of hair.
Thazhuvum koondhalil piranthathu naadhamA divine musical sound was born in the embracing tresses of hair.
Female
Maanikka veenaiyin raagamThe melody of the ruby-studded veena
Kaanikkai thanthu mogamBestows desire as a sacred offering.
Female
Karuneela kadal meethuOver the deep blue ocean,
Themmaangu tamil paadum sangamaeA conch shell singing folk Tamil melodies,
Kalyaana melangal angangaeWedding drums resounding everywhere,
Olikkindra angamae…On a body vibrating with rhythm...
Female
Karuneela kadal meethuOver the deep blue ocean,
Themmaangu tamil paadum sangamaeA conch shell singing folk Tamil melodies,
Kalyaana melangal angangaeWedding drums resounding everywhere,
Olikkindra angamae…On a body vibrating with rhythm...
Male
Paarkka paarkka ennenna paavamThe more I look, oh what expressive emotions!
Paarkka paarkka ennenna paavamThe more I look, oh what expressive emotions!
Paniyai paarththae theernthathu thaagamMy thirst was quenched merely by looking at the dew.
Male
Maanikka veenaiyin raagamThe melody of the ruby-studded veena
Kaanikkai thanthu mogamBestows desire as a sacred offering.
Female :Isai oonjalilae asaainthaadattumFemale: Let it swing gently on the musical cradle,
Viral saerththu thanthiyai meettattumaaShall I join my fingers and strum the strings?
Female
Senthoora thilagangalRed vermilion tilaks,
Azhakaaga ezhuthungal inthanaalWrite them beautifully on this special day.
Sinthaamal sugam kaanaTo experience joy without losing any,
Panjaangam vazhikkaattu anthanaalLet the traditional almanac guide us to that day.
Male
Paalum yaenthi pazhangalum yaendhiCarrying milk and carrying fruits,
Paalum yaenthi pazhangalum yaendhiCarrying milk and carrying fruits,
Panjanai vanthaal aval per shanthiWhen she steps onto the soft bed, her name is peace.
Panjanai vanthaal aval per shanthiWhen she steps onto the soft bed, her name is peace.
Shanthi…..shaanthi…..shanthi…..Peace... peace... peace...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic composition uses rich musical and natural imagery to compare feminine grace and love to divine music. The song equates a woman's body and beauty to a ruby-embedded veena, screwpine flowers, and rivers like the Palar, celebrating the sensory and emotional harmony that love brings into life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Maanikka veenaiyin raagam

Compares a woman's form and essence to a ruby-studded musical instrument ('Maanikka veenaiyin raagam').

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaazhampoovin thegam polae

Directly compares the texture and softness of the female body to the fragranced screwpine flower ('Thaazhampoovin thegam polae').

Initial Rhyme / Monai

Paalaattrangarai meedhu / Pazhanthottam paarkkindra kangalae

Repetition of the 'P' consonant at the start of consecutive lines creates a poetic rhythm.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Paniyai paarththae theernthathu thaagam

Exaggerates how seeing dew alone quenches deep thirst to illustrate how a glance from the beloved fulfills deep longing.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics by Kannadasan showcase classical Tamil poetic conventions where geography, nature, music, and marital romance blend seamlessly, utilizing traditional motifs like milk and fruit offerings on the wedding night.

Keep listening

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