- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- En Thambi
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 5 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Muthu Nagaiyae is a romantic track from the 1968 Tamil movie En Thambi, penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The song celebrates deep intimacy, eternal companionship, and mutual understanding between two lovers. The lover tenderly addresses his sweetheart with fond metaphors, calling her a pearl-like smile and a lively parrot, emphasizing that their connection is instinctual and profound.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Muthu nagaiyae ..ae…”
Compares a bright, radiant smile to glistening pearls.
Metaphor
“Thaththum kiliyae”
Compares the lively, graceful beloved to a fluttering/prancing parrot.
Rhetorical Question
“Nilavum vaanum nilamum neerum Ondrai vittu ondru sellumo”
Uses nature's inseparable elements (moon & sky, earth & water) to poetically ask if true lovers could ever be separated.
Anaphora / Monai
“Kannazhagu paarthaal... Kaiyazhagu paarthaal...”
Repetition of beauty prefixes (Kannazhagu, Kaiyazhagu, Kaalazhagu) across consecutive lines to build poetic rhythm.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Kaalazhagu paarthaal dheivatthukku Karunai endroru per edharkku”
Exaggerates the grace of her feet, claiming even God wouldn't need a separate title of 'merciful' after witnessing such grace.
Did you know?
Trivia
En Thambi (1968) stars Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV). The song highlights Kannadasan's classic style of infusing divine imagery—such as Madurai Meenakshi—into intimate romantic poetry.
Keep listening
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