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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjinile Enna

From Kongu Nattu Thangam · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kongu Nattu Thangam1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nenjinilae enna veeram irundhumNo matter what courage lies in the heart,
Pengal ellaam pengalaeWomen are ultimately women after all.
Adhai kattudhu un kangalaeYour eyes clearly demonstrate that truth.
Nenjinilae enna veeram irundhumNo matter what courage lies in the heart,
Pengal ellaam pengalaeWomen are ultimately women after all.
Adhai kattudhu un kangalaeYour eyes clearly demonstrate that truth.
Male
Vanjiyae un nimirndha paarvaiO maiden, where has your proud, upright gaze...
Enghu ponadho...disappeared to?
Female :MmmmmmmFemale: Mmmmmmm
Male :Vanjiyae un nimirndha paarvaiMale: O maiden, where has your proud, upright gaze...
Enghu ponadho...disappeared to?
Vaalai veesum kaiyin valimaiThe strength of the arm that brandishes a sword...
Enna aanadhoo...what has become of it?
Female :Aa…aa…o oFemale: Aa...aa...o o
Male :Vaalai veesum kaiyin valimaiMale: The strength of the arm that brandishes a sword...
Enna aanadhoo...what has become of it?
Female
Haa…aaa…Haa...aaa...
Male :Nenjinilae enna veeram irundhumMale: No matter what courage lies in the heart,
Pengal ellaam pengalaeWomen are ultimately women after all.
Adhai kattudhu un kangalaeYour eyes clearly demonstrate that truth.
Male
Kalliyae un kannam irandumO clever maiden, your two cheeks...
Female :Haa…aaa….aaa…ho..o.o..oFemale: Haa...aaa....aaa...ho..o.o..o
Male :Haa…aaa…aa….Male: Haa...aaa...aa....
Kalliyae un kannam irandumO clever maiden, your two cheeks...
Sivandhu minnudhae...are blushing red and glowing bright.
Kalliyae un kannam irandumO clever maiden, your two cheeks...
Sivandhu minnudhae...are blushing red and glowing bright.
Mei kaadhal ondrae inbam endruBelieving that true love alone is supreme bliss,
Ullam ennudhaeThe heart meditates upon it.
Female
Aa…aa…aa..aa…Aa...aa...aa..aa...
Male :Kaadhal ondrae inbam endruMale: Believing that love alone is supreme bliss,
Ullam ennudhaeThe heart meditates upon it.
Solla solla vetkathaaleAs words are spoken, out of shyness,
Thalaiyum kuniyudhaeYour head gently bows down.
Female :Hmm mm hmm mmFemale: Hmm mm hmm mm
Mm mm mm mmMm mm mm mm
Male :Solla solla vetkathaaleMale: As words are spoken, out of shyness,
Thalaiyum kuniyudhaeYour head gently bows down.
Thottavudanae mullai sirippuThe moment you are touched, a jasmine-soft smile...
Idhazhil kaniyudhae...ripens like a sweet fruit upon your lips.
Female :Haa…aaa..aaa…ho o o oFemale: Haa...aaa..aaa...ho o o o
Male :Thottavudanae mullai sirippuMale: The moment you are touched, a jasmine-soft smile...
Idhazhil kaniyudhae...ripens like a sweet fruit upon your lips.
Male
Nenjinilae enna veeram irundhumNo matter what courage lies in the heart,
Pengal ellaam pengalaeWomen are ultimately women after all.
Adhai kattudhu un kangalaeYour eyes clearly demonstrate that truth.
Female :Ha…aa…Female: Ha...aa...
Male :Nenjinilae enna veeram irundhumMale: No matter what courage lies in the heart,
Pengal ellaam pengalaeWomen are ultimately women after all.
Adhai kattudhu un kangalaeYour eyes clearly demonstrate that truth.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic Tamil song from the 1961 film 'Kongu Nattu Thangam', composed by K. V. Mahadevan and penned by A. Maruthakasi, playfully explores the dual nature of a woman warrior who displays immense valor on the battlefield yet succumbs to tender feminine emotions of shyness and love in the presence of her beloved. The hero teases her by observing how her fierce gaze and sword-wielding strength give way to blushing cheeks, a lowered head, and a sweet jasmine smile when touched. The core theme highlights that no matter how courageous or powerful a woman may be, love gently brings forth her gentle, romantic, and vulnerable side.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second letter rhyming)

Nenjinilae / Pengal

Rhyming of the second character across consecutive lines, such as 'Nenjinilae' and 'Pengal' or 'Vaalai' and 'Kalliyae'.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Thottavudanae mullai sirippu

'Mullai sirippu' compares a tender smile to a blooming jasmine flower, evoking purity and delicacy.

Uruvagam (Metaphorical Transformation)

Idhazhil kaniyudhae

'Idhazhil kaniyudhae' metaphorically describes a smile ripening into a sweet fruit upon the lips.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Solla solla vetkathaale

'Solla solla' uses repeated words to emphasize the continuous process of talking leading to shy responses.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kongu Nattu Thangam' (1961) featured M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. Susheela, and Seerkazhi Govindarajan in its soundtrack. This song showcases the classic duet style of K. V. Mahadevan, blending folk sensibilities with classical melodies to accentuate dramatic storytelling in vintage Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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