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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjamadi Nenjam

From Azhagan · 1991

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Maragathamani
Details
Azhagan1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Haa…aa….aa….aa…Haa…aa….aa….aa…
Chorus
Haa…aa….aa….aa…haa aa aaHaa…aa….aa….aa…haa aa aa
Haa…aa….aa….aa…Haa…aa….aa….aa…
Male
Nenjamadi nenjamOh dear, it is a heart
Adhu nenjamadi nenjamThat heart, oh dear, that heart
Andru naan koduthadhuWhich I gave to you that day
Idhudaanaa kanakkuIs this the final accounting for it?
Ninaivillai unakkuYou have no memory of it
Adhu yaen marandhadhuWhy did you forget it?
En nenjai indrae thiruppi koduReturn my heart to me today itself
Mudindhaal ennai marandhu viduIf you can, try to forget me
Male
Nenjamadi nenjamOh dear, it is a heart
Adhu nenjamadi nenjamThat heart, oh dear, that heart
Andru naan koduthadhuWhich I gave to you that day
Idhudaanaa kanakkuIs this the final accounting for it?
Ninaivillai unakkuYou have no memory of it
Adhu yaen marandhadhuWhy did you forget it?
Male
Marappadhakendrae manadhinil thondrumA memory that arises in the mind only to be forgotten
Ninaivae kaadhaladiThat very memory is love, my dear
Salanam sabalam mayakkam kuzhappamRestlessness, temptation, enchantment, confusion
Inaindhaal kaadhaladiWhen all these combine, that is love, my dear
Ezhuththae illaa kavidhai idhuThis is a poem without any written words
Padithaal engae purigiradhuEven if one reads it, where can it be understood?
Female
Nenjamalla nenjamIt is not a heart, not a heart at all
Verum panjam adhu vanjamIt is mere poverty and deception
Andru nee koduthadhuThat which you gave me that day
Iru nenjam unakkuYou possess two hearts
Adhil ondru enakkuAnd one of them was meant for me
Adhu dhaan kidaithadhuThat is what I received
Adhaiyum thiruppi anuppi vittenI have sent that back to you as well
En nenjai neeyum anuppi viduNow you too send my heart back to me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film Azhagan portrays a tender emotional confrontation between lovers dealing with the intricacies of love, heartbreaks, and devotion. One lover playfully yet painfully asks for their heart back after feeling forgotten, questioning the 'accounting' of feelings exchanged between them. In response, love is philosophically defined as a complex blend of restlessness, temptation, unwritten poetry, and sweet confusion that cannot be easily measured or understood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Idhudaanaa kanakku / Ninaivillai unakku

The second consonant 'na' matches in consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic Tamil rhyme scheme.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

En nenjai indrae thiruppi kodu / Mudindhaal ennai marandhu vidu

The lines end with rhyming imperative verbs 'kodu' and 'vidu'.

Paradox / Metaphor

Ezhuththae illaa kavidhai idhu / Padithaal engae purigiradhu

Describing love as an 'unwritten poem', highlighting how intangible and profound feelings are compared to written words.

Alliteration & Assonance

Salanam sabalam mayakkam kuzhappam

The repetitive use of 'sa' sounds creates a rhythmic flow listing various emotional states.

Did you know?

Trivia

Azhagan (1991), directed by K. Balachander, marked the iconic Tamil debut of renowned music director M. M. Keeravani (credited as Maragathamani in Tamil cinema). The film's soundtrack won him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director.

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