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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nan Uyir Pizhaithen

From Kanavan · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanavan1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours
Male
Innoru piraviyendruConsidering this a second birth
Unnidam naan uravu konduI came to establish a relationship with you
VandhenaeI came
Nandri solvenaeI offer my gratitude
Innoru piraviyendruConsidering this a second birth
Unnidam naan uravu konduI came to establish a relationship with you
VandhenaeI came
Nandri solvenaeI offer my gratitude
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours
Male
Ezhil kulunga kulungaWith beauty overflowing gently
Konji rasikkattumaaMay I adore and relish it?
Kan malara malara kandu kulirattumaaAs eyes bloom, may my eyes feel the cool delight of seeing you?
Ezhil kulunga kulungaWith beauty overflowing gently
Konji rasikkattumaaMay I adore and relish it?
Kan malara malara kandu kulirattumaaAs eyes bloom, may my eyes feel the cool delight of seeing you?
Male
Indru vidiya vidiya kadhai alakkattumaaToday, until dawn arrives, shall I spin endless tales?
Vidiya vidiya kadhai alakkattumaaUntil dawn arrives, shall I spin endless tales?
Sugam mudiya mudiya adhai thodarattumaaAs bliss reaches its peak, shall I continue it further?
Sugam mudiya mudiya adhai thodarattumaaAs bliss reaches its peak, shall I continue it further?
Aa… thodarattumaaAh... shall I continue it?
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours
Male
Thanga kudathai eduthuTaking the golden pot
Paal parugattumaaShall I drink milk?
Thandha chilaiyil mayangi manamMesmerized by the ivory statue, shall my heart
UrugattumaaMelt away?
Putham pudhiya muraiyil unnaiIn a brand new manner
NerungattumaaShall I approach you?
Pudhiya muraiyil unnai nerungattumaaIn a new manner, shall I approach you?
Nitham ninaivil irukka alli vazhangattumaaTo linger daily in memory, shall I bestow it endlessly?
Nitham ninaivil irukka alli vazhangattumaaTo linger daily in memory, shall I bestow it endlessly?
Aa… vazhangattumaaAh... shall I bestow it?
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours
Male
Methai unakkum enakkum endruWith the bed spread out
VirithirukkaFor you and for me
Andha iniya ninaivil naam vizhithirukkaWhile we remain awake in those sweet memories
Thottu pazhaga pazhaga udal thuvandirukkaAs the body grows tender with familiar touches
Ullam thunindhu vandhen unnai thudikka vaikkaI came courageously to make your heart throb
Ullam thunindhu vandhen unnai thudikka vaikkaI came courageously to make your heart throb
Haa… thudikka vaikkaHaa... to make your heart throb
Male
Naan uyir pizhaithaenI survived
Un punniyathilBy your virtue and merit
Unnai purindhu kondaenI understood who you truly are
Oru punnagaiyilIn a single smile of yours

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a romantic duet expressing deep gratitude, emotional rebirth, and intimacy between lovers. The protagonist feels saved and given a second life through the virtue and kindness of their partner, understanding their pure nature from a simple smile. The lyricist captures the profound emotional salvation experienced in true love, portraying marriage and union as a fresh lease on life. As the song progresses, it shifts into playful, intimate romantic banter filled with poetic metaphors. The couple cherishes the quiet joy of togetherness through the night, comparing each other to golden pots and ivory statues, expressing a desire to make these cherished memories last forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thanga kudathai eduthu / Thandha chilaiyil mayangi

Comparing the beloved's elegant physique to 'Thandha chilai' (ivory statue) and 'Thanga kudam' (golden pot) to highlight grace and value.

Repetitive Refrain / Rhyme Scheme (Iyaibu)

Konji rasikkattumaa / kandu kulirattumaa / kadhai alakkattumaa

The repeated interrogative suffix '-attumaa' creates a rhythmic, persuasive musical cadence across the stanzas.

Anaphora / Refrain

Naan uyir pizhaithaen / Un punniyathil

The lines 'Naan uyir pizhaithaen / Un punniyathil' serve as a recurring emotional anchor throughout the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic duet features in the 1968 M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa starrer 'Kanavan', directed by P. Neelakantan. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with vocals rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, and lyrics written by Vaali.

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