Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhal Kandavan

From Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nizhal kandavan naalumingaeThe one who glimpsed a shadow here every day,
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraanKeeps running, chasing after that shadow.
Mozhi kettavan mogam konduThe one who heard her voice fell deeply in love,
Mugaththai kaana thaedugindraanAnd searches around to catch a sight of her face.
Male
Nizhal kandavan naalumingaeThe one who glimpsed a shadow here every day,
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraanKeeps running, chasing after that shadow.
Male
Endrum thodarndhu povadhu dhaanTo pursue endlessly forever,
Iniya kaadhal vidhi aagumIs the sweet destiny of true love.
Endrum thodarndhu povadhu dhaanTo pursue endlessly forever,
Iniya kaadhal vidhi aagumIs the sweet destiny of true love.
Velga ilamai velgaVictory to youth! May youth prevail!
Vaazhga kaadhal vaazhgaLong live love! May love flourish!
Male
Nizhal kandavan naalumingaeThe one who glimpsed a shadow here every day,
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraanKeeps running, chasing after that shadow.
Mozhi kettavan mogam konduThe one who heard her voice fell deeply in love,
Mugaththai kaana thaedugindraanAnd searches around to catch a sight of her face.
Male
Nizhal kandavan naalumingaeThe one who glimpsed a shadow here every day,
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraanKeeps running, chasing after that shadow.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song vividly captures the restless yearning of romantic passion. It describes a lover who has only seen a glimpse (a shadow) or heard the sweet voice of his beloved, yet is compelled to continuously search for her face. The lyrics portray love as an eternal chase—a fate that every lover willingly embraces. Kannadasan poetically exalts the spirit of youth and love, celebrating the intoxicating joy found in the quest for one's beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Mozhi kettavan mogam kondu

Repetition of the initial letter 'Mo/M' across 'Mozhi' and 'mogam' creates melodic rhythm.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nizhal kandavan / Mozhi kettavan

The second consonant sound 'zh' (ழ) rhymes between 'Nizhal' and 'Mozhi'.

Metaphor

Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraan

'Chasing a shadow' serves as a poetic metaphor for pursuing an elusive, unrevealed lover.

Anaphora / Refrain

Velga ilamai velga / Vaazhga kaadhal vaazhga

Repetition of praise words ('Velga', 'Vaazhga') reinforces the jubilant celebration of youth and love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ninaithale Inikkum (1979) is a legendary Tamil-Telugu bilingual musical film directed by K. Balachander, starring Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Jayaprada. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, and the film was shot extensively in Singapore.

Keep listening

More from Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film