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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilamengum Neerodi

From Sontham (1973) · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Sontham (1973)
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
18 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nilamengum neerodi
Nel vilaiyum paavanaiyil
Thozhi nalam kaakka
Thogai manam thuninthaal
Thozhi nalam kaakka
Thogai manam thuninthaal
Maalaiyitta kanavanukku
Maalaiyittu manam mudithaal
Manamengum anpoori
Mananthavarukku pani purinthaal
Thangaththil vairamena
Thannai inaiththirunthaal
Singaththin sinam thanikkum
Saevaiyilae vaazhnthirunthaal
Mangaiyitta manjal
Mattroruththi vaazhvatharkkae
Kungumam thozhiyaval
Kudumbam valarvatharkkae
Like water flowing across the land
To make the paddy crops flourish,
To protect her dear friend's well-being,
The graceful woman steeled her heart.
To protect her dear friend's well-being,
The graceful woman steeled her heart.
To her friend's wedded husband,
She offered a garland and married him.
With love welling up in her heart,
She devotedly served the man she wed.
Like a diamond set in gold,
She joined her life with his.
Calming the anger of a lion,
She lived in selfless devotion.
The bridal turmeric she wore
Was only for another woman's happiness,
And the kumkum (auspicious red mark of marriage) on her brow
Was for her friend's family to flourish.
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track from the film Sontham (1973) depicts the immense sacrifice and selflessness of a woman who accepts marriage not for her own personal desires, but for the welfare and prosperity of her beloved friend. Comparing her nurturing presence to water that makes fields bloom, the lyrics extol her virtue, loyalty, and gentle nature capable of calming even a fierce temperament.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

“Thangaththil vairamena”

Compares the harmonious union of husband and wife to a diamond set beautifully within gold ('vairamena').

Metaphor

“Nilamengum neerodi Nel vilaiyum paavanaiyil”

Compares her selfless actions and sacrifices to water flowing over land to yield rich crops.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Thozhi nalam kaakka / Thogai manam thuninthaal”

The 'Th' sound repeats at the beginning of the initial words in both lines.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kungumam thozhiyaval / Kudumbam valarvatharkkae”

The 'Ku' sound repeats at the start of 'Kungumam' and 'Kudumbam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and rendered by M. S. Viswanathan with evocative verses by Kannadasan, this song highlights the quintessential 1970s Tamil cinema theme of noble self-sacrifice. MSV's distinct voice adds a deeply emotional dimension to Kannadasan's literary framing of female virtue and friendship.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Ponne Boomiyadi1978
Manidharil Ithanai NirangalaDevotionAcceptance
Tazhaya Poomudichu1959
Bhaaga PirivinaiDomestic LifeMarriage
Ullangal Palavitham1971
ThirumagalFriendshipAcceptance
Naarpadhu Vayadhil1973
Bharatha VilasDomestic LifeAcceptance
Purushan Manaivi Uravuthan1989
Adutha VeeduDomestic LifeMarriage
Vaanam Boomi Vaazhthum1988
KalicharanDevotionAcceptance

From the same album

More songs from Sontham (1973)

View album
Vaazhnthal Ungalai1973
Sontham (1973)Affectionate
Nallathan Yosi1973
Sontham (1973)Tender
Kannupada Pogudhu1973
Sontham (1973)Playful

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