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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mothiram Pottathu Poloru

From Annaiyum Pithavum · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Annaiyum Pithavum1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
Female
Iru manamum serndhadharkkuFor two hearts joining together,
Idhu thaan adaiyaalamThis ring is the symbol.
Uravinargal ariyum munnaeBefore relatives even get to know,
Idhuthaan kalyanamThis itself is a marriage.
Female
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
Female
Oru pakkam paarthaal mugam mattum kattumIf seen from one side, it shows only the face,
Azhagu minnum kannamThe shining cheek of beauty.
Oru pakkam paarthaal mugam mattum kattumIf seen from one side, it shows only the face,
Azhagu minnum kannamThe shining cheek of beauty.
Iru pakkam paarthaal uruvathai kattumIf seen from both sides, it reveals the whole form,
Ilaiya mangai vannamThe youthful maiden's hue.
Iru pakkam paarthaal uruvathai kattumIf seen from both sides, it reveals the whole form,
Ilaiya mangai vannamThe youthful maiden's hue.
Kannukku kannae kanicholaiAn orchard of fruit for the eye,
Pennukku neeyae thamizh solaiA garden of Tamil literature for womanhood,
Haa haa haa haahaa aaa haaHaa haa haa haahaa aaa haa
Female
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
Female
Iravin kadhaiyai kaalaiyil solvadhuTelling the story of the night in the morning,
Idhazhil thondrum chinnamIs the mark appearing on the lips.
Iravin kadhaiyai kaalaiyil solvadhuTelling the story of the night in the morning,
Idhazhil thondrum chinnamIs the mark appearing on the lips.
Uravin mudivai oorukku solvadhuAnnouncing the culmination of intimacy to the town,
Udalil thondrum vannamIs the glow appearing on the body.
Uravin mudivai oorukku solvadhuAnnouncing the culmination of intimacy to the town,
Udalil thondrum vannamIs the glow appearing on the body.
Ponmani chinnam kai viralilA precious golden symbol on the finger,
Kanmani vannam un arugilThe colorful beloved by your side.
Haa haa haa haahaa aaa haaHaa haa haa haahaa aaa haa
Female
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
Female
Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagamA drama like wearing a ring,
Kaadhalil undallavooDoesn't it exist in love?
Kaadhali kaigalil kaadhalan anivadhilWhen a lover puts a ring on his beloved's hand,
Kaaranam undallavooIsn't there a secret reason?
lalalalalalalalalalallalalala……Lalalalalalalalalalallalalala...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romance song from the film 'Annaiyum Pithavum' explores the symbolic gesture of exchanging rings between lovers as an informal marriage of hearts before formal societal recognition. Through poetic expressions, lyricist Kannadasan highlights how intimate signs, physical closeness, and shared affection serve as real tokens of love, comparing the beloved's beauty to fruit orchards and rich Tamil literature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Modhiram pottadhu pol oru naadagam

Comparing the play of love and secret union to the symbolic act of putting on a ring ('Modhiram pottadhu pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kannukku kannae kanicholai / Pennukku neeyae thamizh solai

Describing the beloved as a fruit garden to the eyes and a sweet Tamil grove ('kanicholai' and 'thamizh solai').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai)

Kannukku kannae kanicholai

Repetition of initial consonantal sounds like 'Kannukku' and 'Pennukku' for melodic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song stands out for S. Janaki's sweet vocal rendition and expressive sangatis, capturing playful romantic intimacy.

Keep listening

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