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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Kannil Vazhum

From Agal Vilakku · 1979

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Agal Vilakku1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nee kannil vaazhumYou are the king
Mannan dhaanaewho lives in my eyes.
Nee mannippaayaeWon't you forgive me,
Dheivam polaelike a god?
Undhan raagangal paadumThe heart here
Nenjam ingaesings your ragas.
Female
Nee kannil vaazhumYou are the king
Mannan dhaanaewho lives in my eyes.
Female
Naan thediya dhevanYou are the lord I searched for,
Geedhaiyin naadhanthe master of the Gita.
Kannai pol unnai thaan ninaithenI cherished you like my own eyes.
Female
Naan thediya dhevanYou are the lord I searched for,
Geedhaiyin naadhanthe master of the Gita.
Kannai pol unnai thaan ninaithenI cherished you like my own eyes.
Female
Maadhavan manam maarinumEven if Madhavan's heart changes,
Endha naalilumon any given day,
Naan avan raadhaiI remain his Radha,
Malar kodhai….a garland of flowers.
Female
Nee kannil vaazhumYou are the king
Mannan dhaanaewho lives in my eyes.
Female
Naan paadhiyil thoongiSleeping halfway,
Meedhiyil yengilonging through the rest,
Kannil neer vadithen thudithenI shed tears and trembled.
Female
Naan paadhiyil thoongiSleeping halfway,
Meedhiyil yengilonging through the rest,
Kannil neer vadithen thudithenI shed tears and trembled.
Female
Maavilai malar thooranamWith mango leaves and floral festoons,
Indha poomagal vaasalilat the threshold of this flower-like maiden,
Kaanum nalam venumI pray for all goodness to prevail.
Female
Nee kannil vaazhumYou are the king
Mannan dhaanaewho lives in my eyes.
Nee mannippaayaeWon't you forgive me,
Dheivam polaelike a god?
Undhan raagangal paadumThe heart here
Nenjam ingaesings your ragas.
Female
Nee kannil vaazhumYou are the king
Mannan dhaanaewho lives in my eyes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a woman's deep devotion, love, and plea for forgiveness towards her beloved, whom she places on a divine pedestal. Comparing her devotion to Radha's eternal love for Krishna (Madhavan), she declares that regardless of circumstance or emotional distance, her heart remains unconditionally bound to him. She recounts nights of sleepless longing, weeping in solitude, yet holds onto the hope of a blessed union symbolized by auspicious decorations at her doorstep.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Dheivam polae

Compares forgiving the protagonist's faults to the divine grace of God ('Dheivam polae') and loving the partner like one's own eyes ('Kannai pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor / Devotional Allusion)

Naan avan raadhai

Compares her divine devotion to Radha's eternal love for Lord Krishna ('Geedhaiyin naadhan' and 'Naan avan raadhai').

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Kannil neer vadithen thudithen

Rhyming structure using 'thoongi', 'yengi', 'vadithen', and 'thudithen' to accentuate emotional turmoil.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Agal Vilakku' (1979) was based on the famous Tamil novel of the same name written by M. Varadarajan (Mu. Va.). The lyrics by M.G. Vallaban feature rich classical imagery drawing from Hindu mythology and traditional Tamil bridal symbolism.

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