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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhal Kandavan

From Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
14 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nizhal kandavan naalumingae
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraan
Mozhi kettavan mogam kondu
Mugaththai kaana thaedugindraan
Nizhal kandavan naalumingae
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraan
Endrum thodarndhu povadhu dhaan
Iniya kaadhal vidhi aagum
Endrum thodarndhu povadhu dhaan
Iniya kaadhal vidhi aagum
Velga ilamai velga
Vaazhga kaadhal vaazhga
Nizhal kandavan naalumingae
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraan
Mozhi kettavan mogam kondu
Mugaththai kaana thaedugindraan
Nizhal kandavan naalumingae
Nizhalai thodarndhu odugindraan
The one who saw a shadow here
Runs chasing after it day after day
The one who heard her voice and fell in love
Searches everywhere to see her face
The one who saw a shadow here
Runs chasing after it day after day
To keep following on and on
Is the sweet destiny of love
To keep following on and on
Is the sweet destiny of love
May youth triumph, may it win!
Long live love, long live love!
The one who saw a shadow here
Runs chasing after it day after day
The one who heard her voice and fell in love
Searches everywhere to see her face
The one who saw a shadow here
Runs chasing after it day after day
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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