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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Namadhu Kaadhal

From Justice Gopinath · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Justice Gopinath1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Andha kambanum ver endha kombanumNeither the legendary poet Kamban nor any other literary giant
Idhu varai paadathathuHas ever sung about this till now
Endha kavinjanum kalainjanumNo poet nor any artist
Avan avan padaippinil kooaradhadhuHas described it in their respective creations
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Yaarum paadathathu yettil kooraadhadhuSung by no one, described in no sacred texts
Female
Varuvaan varuvaan endruHoping that he will come, he will come
Thoduvaan thoduvaan endruHoping that he will touch, he will touch
Valaiyaadum kai konduWith hands adorned with jangling bangles
Vilaiyaadum kandruLike a playful little calf
Varuvaan varuvaan endruHoping that he will come, he will come
Thoduvaan thoduvaan endruHoping that he will touch, he will touch
Valaiyaadum kai konduWith hands adorned with jangling bangles
Vilaiyaadum kandruLike a playful little calf
Female
Ulagam ariyaa vannamIn a manner unknown to the rest of the world
Udhavum sendhaen kinnamOffering a bowl of pure red honey
Sindhaamal sidharaamalWithout spilling or scattering a drop
Koduppaalae annamShe, the swan, offers sweet sustenance
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Yaarum paadathathu yettil kooraadhadhuSung by no one, described in no sacred texts
Male
Indha devi irukkum thirukovilukkuFor the holy temple where this goddess resides
En kann kaana ennaalil kumbhabhishegamOn which blessed day will the consecration ceremony take place before my eyes?
Indha devi irukkum thirukovilukkuFor the holy temple where this goddess resides
En kann kaana ennaalil kumbhabhishegamOn which blessed day will the consecration ceremony take place before my eyes?
Female
Yuvaraani irukka indha raajanukkuWith the princess present, for this king
Oor kondaada eppodhu pattaabhishegamWhen will the grand coronation celebrated by the town happen?
Male
Andha mandhira melamum mandhiraAre those sacred drums and auspicious
Koshamum ketkkindrathoChants being heard?
Female :Adhai kangalum nenjamumFemale: Today, my eyes and heart
Karppanai seidhindru paarkkindrathooAre imagining and envisioning it!
Male
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Female :Yaarum paadathathuFemale: Sung by no one
Both :Yettil kooraadhadhuBoth: Described in no sacred texts
Female
Siru naanam irukkum thiru maeniyilaeOn her sacred form filled with subtle bashfulness
Viral pattaalum thottaalum sendhoora kolamEven a mere touch of a finger leaves a bright vermilion pattern
Siru naanam irukkum thiru maeniyilaeOn her sacred form filled with subtle bashfulness
Viral pattaalum thottaalum sendhoora kolamEven a mere touch of a finger leaves a bright vermilion pattern
Male
Idhazh moodiiyirukkum kodi thaamaraiayeOh lotus vine with softly closed lips
Naan muthaada muthaada nooru jaalamAs I kiss you repeatedly, a hundred magical wonders unfold
Female
Mani muthirai ittavan sittridaiThe naughty one who stamped his signet seal and touched her slender waist
Thottavan polladhavanIs a mischievous man
Male :Ivan innamum unnidamMale: This man has not yet taught you
Panjanai saasthiram sollaadhavanThe sacred arts of the bedchamber
Both :Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuBoth: Our love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Andha kambanum ver endha kombanumNeither the legendary poet Kamban nor any other literary giant
Idhu varai paadathathuHas ever sung about this till now
Endha kavinjanum kalainjanumNo poet nor any artist
Avan avan padaippinil kooaradhadhuHas described it in their respective creations
Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhuOur love is something unseen anywhere, anytime
Yaarum paadathathu yettil kooraadhadhu…Sung by no one, described in no sacred texts...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet 'Namadhu kaadhal engum endrum kaanaadhadhu' from 'Justice Gopinath' celebrates the unparalleled and divine nature of the lovers' affection. The lyrics convey that their romance is so rare and extraordinary that even master poets like Kamban or famous scholars never managed to capture its depth in classical literature or fine arts. Through poetic imagery, the song transitions between sweet anticipation and romantic banter. The lovers metaphorically liken their eventual union to grand auspicious ceremonies like a temple consecration (kumbhabhishegam) and a royal coronation (pattaabhishegam), emphasizing the sanctity, beauty, and romantic playfulness of their devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbolic Comparison (Athi-sayokthi / Uravaga Uyarthuthal)

Andha kambanum ver endha kombanum Idhu varai paadathathu

The lyrics exaggerate the uniqueness of their love by asserting that even epic poets like Kamban could not express it.

Repetition and Rhythm (Anaphora / Emonai)

Varuvaan varuvaan endru Thoduvaan thoduvaan endru

Repetition of words like 'varuvaan' and 'thoduvaan' builds musical rhythm and expresses keen anticipation.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhazh moodiiyirukkum kodi thaamaraiaye

Comparing the heroine's delicate lips to a lotus vine with closed lips ('kodi thaamaraiaye') and sweet affection to a cup of honey ('sendhaen kinnam').

Cultural Allusion (Samooga/Samaya Kurippu)

En kann kaana ennaalil kumbhabhishegam

Uses classical terms like 'kumbhabhishegam' (temple consecration) and 'pattaabhishegam' (coronation) to elevate romantic marriage to a sacred rite.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Justice Gopinath' (1978) features music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and lyrics penned by Vaali. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth. This romantic track sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jayaram is renowned for its classic MSV orchestration and rich lyrical Tamil phrasing.

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