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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nandha Gopaalanodu

From Vaazhkkai · 1949

Lyricist
K. P. Kamatchisundaram
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Vaazhkkai1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Gopalanodu naan aaduvenaeI will dance with Gopalan
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Endrendrum gopalanGopalan forever
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenaeI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Nandhagopalan haa…(3)Nandhagopalan haa...
Nadamaadum thoghai mayil pola aaduvenaeI will dance like a strutting feathered peacock
Idai kodi pol thuvala nadamaaduvenaeI will dance swaying like a slender vine
Idai kodi pol thuvala nadamaaduvenaeI will dance swaying like a slender vine
Gopalanodu naan aaduvenI will dance with Gopalan
Female
Saelvizhi ezhudhi sobidhamaagaAdorning my fish-like eyes elegantly
Saelvizhi ezhudhi sobidhamaagaAdorning my fish-like eyes elegantly
Sengaiyil ..sengaiyil menvalai poottiWearing soft bangles on my fair red hands
Sigai thanil maamalar soottiAdorning my hair with fine blossoms
Sendhooram nettriyil theettiApplying vermilion on my forehead
Angu sendraal naan peruvenIf I go there, I will attain my joy
Hoo sendraal naan peruvenHoo, if I go there, I will attain my joy
Endhan manam polae ..haaAccording to my heart's desire... haa
Endhan manam polaeAccording to my heart's desire
Endhan manam polaeAccording to my heart's desire
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenaeI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Female
Koovum kuyil oosaiyellamAs the sounds of calling cuckoos
Nin kuzhaloosai polinikkaAre sweetened by the sweet melody of your flute
Maevu thandai silambolikkaWith anklets tinkling melodiously
Megha vanna kanna nee vaaOh cloud-complexioned Krishna, come!
KannaalaeWith your eyes
Kannaalae ullam kollai kondaOh Krishna who stole my heart with your eyes, come!
Kanna nee vaaOh Krishna, come!
KannaalaeWith your eyes
Kannaalae ullam kollai kondaOh Krishna who stole my heart with your eyes, come!
Kanna nee vaaOh Krishna, come!
Female
Naeraaga kannaninghu vaaradhu ponaalIf Krishna does not come directly here
Hoo oHoo o
Naeraaga kannaninghu vaaradhu ponaalIf Krishna does not come directly here
Yaarum kaanamalae satham seiyaamalaeWithout anyone seeing, without making a sound
Naan mella mella poonai polaI, softly and slowly like a cat
Mella mella poonai pola ooduvenSoftly and slowly like a cat, I will run
Kannan oodhu kuzhalodu saerndhu paaduvenI will sing along with Krishna's playing flute
Naan aaduvenI will dance
Female
Madhivadhana kannanai naan maruvidaTo embrace the moon-faced Krishna
Karudhi sendraalAs I stepped forward thinking
Edhirae oru saevagan yaeno nindraan malai polaeWhy did a guard stand in front like a mountain?
Edhirae oru saevagan yaeno nindraan malai polWhy did a guard stand in front like a mountain?
Aaval poruppaenoo aa..aasai marappaenoCan I bear this longing? Will I forget my desire?
Aaval poruppaenoo haa..aasai marappaenoCan I bear this longing? Will I forget my desire?
Nandhagopalan gopalan gopalan gopalanNandhagopalan Gopalan Gopalan Gopalan
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenaeI will dance with Nandhagopalan
Nandhagopalanodu naan aaduvenI will dance with Nandhagopalan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the joyful devotion and playful longing of a maiden for Lord Gopalan (Krishna). She sings about adorning herself with fine cosmetics, flowers, and ornaments, eager to dance gracefully like a peacock and sway like a vine beside her beloved Krishna, whose flute music outshines even the sweet songs of cuckoos.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nadamaadum thoghai mayil pola aaduvenae

Comparing the dance movement to a peacock ('mayil pola') and a delicate vine ('kodi pol').

Metaphor (Saelvizhi)

Saelvizhi ezhudhi sobidhamaaga

'Saelvizhi' metaphorically describes eyes as beautiful and shaped like 'sael' fish.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Sengaiyil ..sengaiyil menvalai pootti

Matching starting consonant sounds and rhythm across adjacent lines ('Saelvizhi', 'Sengaiyil', 'Sigai', 'Sendhooram').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track was composed by R. Sudharsanam for the milestone 1949 movie 'Vaazhkkai', starring Vyjayanthimala in her film debut. Sung by classical legend M. L. Vasanthakumari, it highlighted Vyjayanthimala's exquisite Bharatanatyam dance skills.

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