- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- En Kadamai
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic romantic Tamil song expresses the euphoric feelings of a young woman who has fallen deeply in love. Addressing a confidante or her fish-eyed friend named Meenamma, the lyrics poetically describe how her lover entered her life, transformed her world, and captivated her senses completely. He becomes the harmony to her song, the language to her words, and her sole protector and companion. In the second stanza, the heroine uses vibrant nature imagery to depict the physical and emotional sensation of her love—how he makes her sway like a chariot, flow like water, bounce like a deer, and stay awake with romantic longing. Through lyrical metaphors, Kannadasan captures the innocent wonder, passion, and joyful surrender of a woman celebrating her beloved.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)
“En paattukku oruvan isaiyaanaan”
The lover is metaphorically described as the music to her song (paattukku isai), language to her speech (paechukku mozhi), and guard of her garden (thottathil kaaval).
Upamai / Simile (உவமை)
“Avan aadavaithaan ennai thaeraaga”
Similes comparing her movements and joy to a chariot (thaeraaga), water (neeraaga), flower (malraaga), and deer (maanaaga).
Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)
“Soodi vittaanae malraaga / Thulla vaithaanae maanaaga”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Soodi' and 'Thulla' across poetic lines creating rhythm.
Esubhu / Rhyme (இயைபு)
“Paechukku oruvan mozhiyaanaan / Penmaikku avanae thunaiyaanaan”
End rhymes using suffix '-aanaan' ('isaiyaanaan', 'silaiyaanaan', 'mozhiyaanaan', 'thunaiyaanaan') creating a melodic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
En Kadamai (1964) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. The film's music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with playback singing provided by P. Susheela and lyricist Kannadasan weaving subtle poetic metaphors characteristic of 1960s Tamil cinema.
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