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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Minnuvathellam Ponnendru

From Gomathiyin Kaadhalan · 1955

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Jikki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Gomathiyin Kaadhalan
Movie release year
1955
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enni
Kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enni
Kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthum
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaen
En kaadhalilum tholvi kandaen
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthum
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaen
En kaadhalilum tholvi kandaen
Ennaththilae idi veezhnththae…aa…aa…
Ennaththilae idi veezhnththae…
Idhayaththilae irul soozhnthathae aahaahaa
Kanniyamillaa kalvanin nesam
Penmaikkae izhivaanathae
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enni
Kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaen
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen…aa…aa….
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen…
Urumaari uravaadinaen…aahaa…aahaa
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen..
Urumaari uravaadinaen
Nampikkai konda nangaiyin ullam
Vembavae vinai thaedinaen….
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthum
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaen
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaen
Believing that all that glitters is gold,
Though having eyes, I became blind.
Even with eyes, I became blind.
Believing that all that glitters is gold,
Though having eyes, I became blind.
Even with eyes, I became blind.
Despite having wealth and living with honor,
I was disgraced with the blame of being a thief.
I faced defeat in my love as well.
Despite having wealth and living with honor,
I was disgraced with the blame of being a thief.
I faced defeat in my love as well.
A thunderbolt struck my very thoughts, ah... ah...
A thunderbolt struck my very thoughts,
Darkness engulfed my heart, ahaha...
The love of a dishonorable thief
Is a disgrace to womanhood itself.
Believing that all that glitters is gold,
Though having eyes, I became blind.
Even with eyes, I became blind.
I drew a veil over the truth, ah... ah...
I drew a veil over the truth,
In disguise, I built a bond of love, ahaha...
I drew a veil over the truth,
In disguise, I built a bond of love.
Leaving the trusting woman's heart
To burn in sorrow, I invited my own ruin...
Despite having wealth and living with honor,
I was disgraced with the blame of being a thief.
I was disgraced with the blame of being a thief.
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classical Tamil song expresses deep remorse, guilt, and sorrow over deceptive actions and lost love. The protagonist reflects on the timeless adage 'all that glitters is not gold,' acknowledging how he was metaphorically blinded by appearances despite having eyes. Even with material riches and status, his deceitful disguises and dishonorable behavior branded him a thief, brought agony to a trusting woman, and resulted in total heartbreak and personal ruin.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb Adaptation / Metaphor

“Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enni”

Adapts the traditional proverb 'All that glitters is not gold' to convey how superficial allure blinded the speaker to moral truth.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enni / Kannirunthum kurudaanaen”

The second consonant sound ('nn' / 'nn') rhymes in Minnuvathellaam and Kannirunthum, establishing a rhythmic sound structure.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen / Urumaari uravaadinaen”

Repetition of the initial vowel 'U' in Unmaikkae and Urumaari creates musicality across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gomathiyin Kaadhalan (1955), starring T. R. Ramachandran and Savitri, featured a musical score by G. Ramanathan. Seerkazhi Govindarajan's powerful rendering of this song highlights his masterly control over emotional and classical nuances in early Tamil cinema audio recordings.

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