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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neethana Ennai

From Mayabazar · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Ghantasala, Leela
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Mayabazar1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee thaana…aaa….aaa…aaa….Is it really you... ah... ah... ah...
Nee thaana ennai ninathathuWas it you who thought of me?
Nee thaana ennai azhaithathuWas it you who called out to me?
Nee thaana en idhayathilaeWas it you who, inside my heart,
Nilai thadumaarida ulaviyadhuWandered around causing my heart to lose balance?
Nee thaana….Was it you...
Female
Nee thaanae ennai ninathathuIndeed, it was you who thought of me!
Nee thaanae ennai azhaithathuIndeed, it was you who called out to me!
Nee thaanae en idhayathilaeIndeed, it was you who, inside my heart,
Nilai thadumaarida ulaviyadhuWandered around causing my heart to lose balance!
Nee thaanae….Indeed, it was you...
Male
Kanavinilae oru ninaivaagiBecoming a thought within a dream,
En ninaivinilae oru kanavagaiBecoming a dream within my thoughts,
Kanavinilae oru ninaivaagiBecoming a thought within a dream,
En ninaivinilae oru kanavagaiBecoming a dream within my thoughts,
Kanavo ninaivo kaanbathu maayaiyooIs what I see a dream or a reality, or is it an illusion?
Kalavara maevidum nilavaram aanenI have become a state filled with turmoil and confusion.
Male
Nee thaana ennai ninathathuWas it you who thought of me?
Nee thaana ennai azhaithathuWas it you who called out to me?
Nee thaana en idhayathilaeWas it you who, inside my heart,
Nilai thadumaarida ulaviyadhuWandered around causing my heart to lose balance?
Nee thaana….Was it you...
Female
Kangalil nilavum kaainthidavae iniSo that moonlight shines bright in my eyes from now on,
En manadhil manam kamizhthidavaeSo that sweet fragrance blooms inside my heart,
Kangalil nilavum kaainthidavae iniSo that moonlight shines bright in my eyes from now on,
En manadhil manam kamizhthidavaeSo that sweet fragrance blooms inside my heart,
Kannaiyum manadhaiyum kavarnthidavaeTo captivate both my eyes and my mind,
Mei kaadhalinaale magizhnthidavae…..To rejoice in the bliss of true love...
Female
Nee thaanae ennai ninathathuIndeed, it was you who thought of me!
Nee thaanae ennai azhaithathuIndeed, it was you who called out to me!
Nee thaanae en idhayathilaeIndeed, it was you who, inside my heart,
Nilai thadumaarida ulaviyadhuWandered around causing my heart to lose balance!
Nee thaanae….Indeed, it was you...
Male :Nee thaanae….Male: Indeed, it is you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track from the classic film Mayabazar captures the intoxicating wonder of mutual love. The lovers reflect on how the presence of the other has swept through their hearts, blurring the lines between waking thoughts and dreamlike visions. The lyrics play beautifully with concepts of reality, dreams, fragrance, and moonlight to convey how love enchants all senses and fills their lives with deep joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora

Nee thaana ennai ninathathu

Repetition of 'Nee thaana' (Is it you) at the start of consecutive lines to build emotional emphasis and romantic inquiry.

Antimetabole / Chiasmus

Kanavinilae oru ninaivaagi / En ninaivinilae oru kanavagai

Inversion of words 'Kanavu' (dream) and 'Ninaivu' (thought) to illustrate the sweet confusion between reality and illusions.

Polyptoton / Homonymic Wordplay

En manadhil manam kamizhthidavae

Using 'manadhil' (in mind/heart) alongside 'manam' (fragrance) to create auditory harmony and evocative imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mayabazar (1957) is a landmark Indian epic film released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu. The Tamil version features lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass with music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and Ghantasala.

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