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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
Details
Gomathiyin Kaadhalan1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enniThinking that all that glitters is gold
Kannirunthum kurudaanaenDespite having eyes, I became blind
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaenI, despite having eyes, became blind
Female
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enniThinking that all that glitters is gold
Kannirunthum kurudaanaenDespite having eyes, I became blind
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaenI, despite having eyes, became blind
Male
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthumDespite possessing wealth and living with prosperity
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaenI earned the blame of being called a thief
En kaadhalilum tholvi kandaenI also suffered failure in my love
Male
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthumDespite possessing wealth and living with prosperity
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaenI earned the blame of being called a thief
En kaadhalilum tholvi kandaenI also suffered failure in my love
Female
Ennaththilae idi veezhnththae…aa…aa…Lightning struck upon my thoughts... ah... ah...
Ennaththilae idi veezhnththae…Lightning struck upon my thoughts...
Idhayaththilae irul soozhnthathae aahaahaaDarkness surrounded my heart, aha ha
Kanniyamillaa kalvanin nesamThe affection of a thief lacking dignity
Penmaikkae izhivaanathaeBecame a disgrace to womanhood itself
Female
Minnuvathellaam ponnendru enniThinking that all that glitters is gold
Kannirunthum kurudaanaenDespite having eyes, I became blind
Naan kannirunthum kurudaanaenI, despite having eyes, became blind
Male
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen…aa…aa….I placed a curtain over the truth... ah... ah...
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen…I placed a curtain over the truth...
Urumaari uravaadinaen…aahaa…aahaaDisguising myself, I engaged in affection... aha... aha
Male
Unmaikkae thirai moodinaen..I placed a curtain over the truth...
Urumaari uravaadinaenDisguising myself, I engaged in affection
Nampikkai konda nangaiyin ullamThe heart of the woman who trusted me
Vembavae vinai thaedinaen….I sought karmic sorrow that made her suffer...
Male
Selvam irunthum seerodu vaazhnthumDespite possessing wealth and living with prosperity
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaenI earned the blame of being called a thief
Kalvanenennum pazhi kondaenI earned the blame of being called a thief

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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