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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthukkalo Kangal

From Nenjirukkum Varai (1967 Film) · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nenjirukkum Varai (1967 Film)
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
6 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Muthukkalo kangal
Thitthippadho kannam
Sandhitha velaiyl sindhikkavae illai
Thandhu vitten ennai
Muthukkalo kangal
Thitthippadho kannam
Sandhitha velaiyl sindhikkavae illai
Thandhu vitten ennai
Paditha paadam enna
Un kangal paarkkum paarvai enna
Paalil ooriya jaadhi poovai
Sooda thudippadhenna
Muthukkalae pengal
Thitthippadhae kannam
Sandhitha velaiyl sindhikkavae illai
Thandhu vitten ennai
Kanni pennai mella mella
Thendral thaalaatta
Kadalil alaigal odi vandhu
Kaalai neeraatta
Ezhundha inbam enna
En ennam yengum yaekkam enna
Virundhu ketpadhenna
Adhaiyum viraindhu ketpadhaenna
Muthukkalo kangal
Thitthippadho kannam
Sandhitha velaiyl sindhikkavae illai
Thandhu vitten ennai
Aasai konjam naanam konjam
Pinni paarppadhenna
Arugil nadandhu madiyil vizhundhu
Aada ketpadhenna
Malarndha kaadhal enna
Un kaigal maalai aavadhenna
Vaazhai thorana melathodu
Poojai seivadhenna
Muthukkalae pengal
Thithippadhae kannam
Sandhitha velaiyl sindhikkavae illai
Thandhu vitten ennai
Aa… haa… oo… oo… aaa… aa… ha… haa…
Aa… haa… oo… oo… aaa… aa… ha… haa…
Are your eyes pearls?
Are your cheeks sweet?
When we met, I didn't think twice,
I gave myself to you.
Are your eyes pearls?
Are your cheeks sweet?
When we met, I didn't think twice,
I gave myself to you.
What lesson did you learn?
What is this look in your eyes?
Like a jasmine flower soaked in milk,
why this longing to wear it?
Women are truly pearls,
their cheeks are pure sweetness,
When we met, I didn't think twice,
I gave myself to you.
As the gentle breeze
softly rocks this young girl to sleep,
And the waves of the sea rush up
to wash her feet,
What is this joy that awakens?
What is this longing my thoughts ache for?
Why ask for a feast of love?
And why ask for it in such a rush?
Are your eyes pearls?
Are your cheeks sweet?
When we met, I didn't think twice,
I gave myself to you.
A touch of desire, a touch of shyness—
why do they weave together in your eyes?
Coming close and falling into my lap,
why ask to play and sway?
What is this love that has blossomed?
Why do your arms wrap around me like a garland?
With festive banana leaves and celebration drums,
why worship me with your love?
Are your eyes pearls?
Are your cheeks sweet?
When we met, I didn't think twice,
I gave myself to you.
Aa... ha... oh... oh... aa... aa... ha... ha...
Aa... ha... oh... oh... aa... aa... ha... ha...
Male
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Female
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Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
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Male
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Muthukkalo Kangal is a timeless romantic duet from the 1967 Tamil movie Nenjirukkum Varai. The song expresses a playful and affectionate dialogue between two lovers admiring each other's beauty and charm. The male lover marvels at her eye contact and tender features, comparing her eyes to pearls and her presence to sweet delights, while the female lover responds with equal warmth, exploring her emerging feelings of love, bashfulness, and longing for marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Muthukkalo kangal”

Compares eyes directly to pearls ('Muthukkalo kangal'), elevating the maiden's beauty through precious imagery.

Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)

“Paalil ooriya jaadhi poovai”

Describes the beloved as a jasmine flower soaked in milk ('Paalil ooriya jaadhi poovai'), evoking purity, softness, and sweetness.

Adukkuthodaru (Repetition)

“Kanni pennai mella mella”

The word 'mella' is repeated ('mella mella') to emphasize the slow, gentle movement of the breeze.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Muthukkalo kangal / Thitthippadho kannam”

The second consonant 'th' rhymes between 'Muthukkalo' and 'Thitthippadho' creating a pleasing melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this iconic duet was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Directed by C. V. Sridhar, the song features Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, and remains one of the most celebrated romantic melodies in Tamil cinema history.

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From the same album

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