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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nambinen Maharajane

From Kattalai · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Shoba
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kattalai1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nambinen magaraajanaeI believed in you, my great king
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyaeMy trust was not in vain
Kannan pol koduthaayaeYou gave like Lord Krishna did
Vanna poonjsaelaiA colorful floral saree
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…Without which there would only be humiliation...
Female
Nambinen magaraajanaeI believed in you, my great king
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyaeMy trust was not in vain
Nandriyai vaayaravaeTo express my gratitude fully with my mouth
Sollavor mozhi illaiyaeThere are no words to say
Kannan pol koduthaayaeYou gave like Lord Krishna did
Vanna poonjsaelaiA colorful floral saree
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…Without which there would only be humiliation...
Dhraupathi thanai kaathaJust like the God who protected Draupadi
Dheivam pol neeyaeYou are that divine person
Kannanin avadhaaram thaanTruly an incarnation of Lord Krishna
Female
Nambinen magaraajanae…I believed in you, my great king...
Female
Manjal poosuvenI will apply turmeric
Undhan perai cholli naanaeChanting your name myself
Iravil madi mel thaalaattuvenAt night, I will lull you to sleep on my lap
Female
Netri kungumamThe vermilion on my forehead
Undhan nenjil serum vannamIn a way that it touches your chest
Ilamai nadhiyil neeraattuvenI will bathe you in the river of youth
Male
Acham enbadhondruSaying that a feeling called fear
Ingu micham illai endruHas no remainder left here anymore
Pachai vanna poovaeOh green-hued flower
Anbu paadal sollu indruSing a song of love today
Female
Annai thandhaiMother, father
Ellaam neeyaagaWith you becoming everything to me
Indha annam vandhaalThis swan has arrived
Undhan seiyaagaTo be your child/beloved
Female
Nambinen magaraajanaeI believed in you, my great king
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyaeMy trust was not in vain
Male
Thendral enbadhuWhen the gentle breeze
Endhan thottam vandha podhuCame into my garden
Adadaa adhu or pennaanadhoAha, did it transform into a woman?
Male
Semmeen enbadhuWhen the red fish
Endhan odai vandha podhuCame into my stream
Adhuvo mugathil kannaanadhoDid it become the eyes on the face?
Female
Kodai veyil vaattaWhen the summer heat withered, when this maiden came
Indha kodhai vandha velaiAt the time this maiden arrived
Vaadai kaatru konduBringing the cool northern wind
Neeyum vaattam theertha solaiYou became the grove that quenched my distress
Male
Unnai vittu engum sellaadhuWill never leave you to go anywhere else
Endhan kangal endrumMy eyes always stay
Kannae un meedhuMy darling, fixed upon you
Female
Nambinen magaraajanaeI believed in you, my great king
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyaeMy trust was not in vain
Nandriyai vaayaravaeTo express my gratitude fully with my mouth
Sollavor mozhi illaiyaeThere are no words to say
Kannan pol koduthaayaeYou gave like Lord Krishna did
Vanna poonjsaelaiA colorful floral saree
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…Without which there would only be humiliation...
Dhraupathi thanai kaathaJust like the God who protected Draupadi
Dheivam pol neeyaeYou are that divine person
Kannanin avadhaaram thaanTruly an incarnation of Lord Krishna
Kannanin avadhaaram thaanTruly an incarnation of Lord Krishna
Kannanin avadhaaram thaanTruly an incarnation of Lord Krishna

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant and devoted expression of gratitude and love from the heroine towards her savior and lover. Drawing a strong mythological parallel to Lord Krishna saving Draupadi's honor by bestowing her with an endless saree, she views her beloved as a divine incarnation who saved her from shame and suffering. She feels immense relief, expressing that all fear has vanished under his care. The lyrics elaborate on her commitment to serve, love, and cherish him as her everything—parent, lover, and lord. In turn, the poetic imagery portrays how his presence brings soothing comfort like a cool breeze or a lush grove in scorching summer heat, cementing a bond of eternal trust and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion & Simile

Dhraupathi thanai kaatha Dheivam pol neeyae Kannanin avadhaaram thaan

Compares the protagonist directly to Lord Krishna saving Draupadi in Mahabharata to highlight his chivalry and protective nature.

Metaphor

Ilamai nadhiyil neeraattuven

Uses vivid metaphors comparing youth to a river ('Ilamai nadhi') and comfort to a cool grove ('vaattam theertha solai').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Acham enbadhondru / Ingu micham illai endru

Tamil poetic rhyming where the second letter matches across lines, seen in 'Acham' and 'Micham'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the 1993 Tamil film 'Kattalai', starring Sathyaraj and Bhanupriya. Directed by Liaquat Ali Khan, the soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the iconic lyricist Vaali.

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