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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadagamellam Kanden

From Madurai Veeran · 1956

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jikki, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Madurai Veeran1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naadagamellaam kandenI saw all the dramas
Undhan aadum vizhiyilaeIn your dancing eyes
Naadagamellaam kandenI saw all the dramas
Undhan aadum vizhiyilaeIn your dancing eyes
Aadum vizhiyilaeIn those dancing eyes
Geedham paadum mozhiyilaeIn the language that sings melody
Aadum vizhiyilaeIn those dancing eyes
Geedham paadum mozhiyilaeIn the language that sings melody
Male
Naadagamellaam kandenI saw all the dramas
Undhan aadum vizhiyilaeIn your dancing eyes
Female
Thaediya inbam kandenI found the bliss I sought
Indru kannaaToday, my beloved Kannaa
Thaediya inbam kandenI found the bliss I sought
Indru kannaa vaazhvilaeToday, my beloved Kannaa, in life
Kannaa vaazhvilaeMy beloved Kannaa, in life
Ungal anbaal nerilaeIn person, through your love
Kannaa vaazhvilaeMy beloved Kannaa, in life
Ungal anbaal nerilaeIn person, through your love
Female
Thaediya inbam kandenI found the bliss I sought
Indru kannaa vaazhvilaeToday, my beloved Kannaa, in life
Female
Kanni paruvam yenumIn this stage of maidenhood
Kattazhaghu thaerinilaeIn the chariot of handsome beauty
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…aa aa.. aa.. aaAa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Haa….aaa….aaa…Haa… aaa… aaa…
Ennaiyae aatkollaTo rule over me completely
Isaindhu vandha manavaalaOh bridegroom who consented to come
Aaa.a…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….Aaa… aaa… aaa…
Male
Annam nadai payilaWalking with the grace of a swan
Asaindhu varum poongodiyaeOh flowering vine that sways gently
Aaa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa.. ahaa aa aaaAaa… aa… ahaa…
Annam nadai payilaWalking with the grace of a swan
Asaindhu varum poongodiyaeOh flowering vine that sways gently
Ae….ae….ae…ae…ae…ae….ae….Ae… ae… ae…
Un azhagai paarthirukkumBeholding your captivating beauty
Male
KannaeMy precious love
Female :Swaami (Dialogue)Female: My Lord (Dialogue)
Male
Un azhagai paarthirukkumBeholding your captivating beauty
En naalum thirunaalae…Every day is a grand festival day…
Female
Alai paayum thendralaalaeBy the wafting gentle breeze
Silai maeni konjudhaeHer statue-like body caresses fondly
Alai paayum thendralaalaeBy the wafting gentle breeze
Silai maeni konjudhaeHer statue-like body caresses fondly
Male
Kalai maadhai kandadhaalaeUpon seeing the lady of artistic grace
Nilai maari kenjudhaeChanging state, it pleads softly
Kalai maadhai kandadhaalaeUpon seeing the lady of artistic grace
Nilai maari kenjudhaeChanging state, it pleads softly
Female
Valar kaadhal anbinaalaeOut of growing romantic love
Varum vaarthai konjamaaAre the words that flow so few?
Valar kaadhal anbinaalaeOut of growing romantic love
Varum vaarthai konjamaaAre the words that flow so few?
Male
Malar pondra unnai kandaalWhen seeing you who are like a flower
Kavi paada panjamaaIs there any scarcity to write poetry?
Malar pondra unnai kandaalWhen seeing you who are like a flower
Kavi paada panjamaaIs there any scarcity to write poetry?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naadagamellaam Kanden' is an iconic romantic duet from the 1956 Tamil movie 'Madurai Veeran', penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The song portrays two lovers expressing their affection through poetic admiration. The heroine praises her lover's expressive eyes and sweet words, declaring that finding his affection brings the ultimate fulfillment to her life. The hero responds by admiring her graceful walk and flower-like beauty, comparing her presence to a continuous festival of joy. Using classical Tamil imagery—such as comparing the heroine's walk to a swan ('Annam') and her body to a flowering vine ('Poongodi')—the song highlights deep mutual devotion. The poetic banter culminates in the declaration that beholding such flower-like elegance leaves a poet with an endless reservoir of inspiration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Annam nadai payila Asaindhu varum poongodiyae

Compares the heroine's graceful gait and gentle posture directly to a swan and a flowering vine swaying in the breeze.

Simile (Upamai)

Malar pondra unnai kandaal Kavi paada panjamaa

Uses 'pondra' (like) to explicitly compare the heroine's delicate beauty to a flower ('Malar').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Edhugai & Monai)

Alai paayum thendralaalae Silai maeni konjudhae

Employs internal phonetic rhyming between 'Alai', 'Silai', and 'Kalai' to establish a rhythmic musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan alongside P. Leela, this song is considered one of the timeless romantic classics in Tamil cinema history, featuring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Bhanumathi.

Keep listening

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