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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oho Enthan Baby

From Then Nilavu · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. M. Rajah, Janki
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Then Nilavu1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Oho enthan{ Oh, my
Baby nee vaaraiBaby, won't you come?
Enthan baby kalaiMy baby, the artistic
Mevum varna jaalamMagic of vibrant colors
Konda kolam kaanalam } (2)In full display, let us behold } (2)
Oho enthan baby …Oh, my baby...
Female
{ Oho{ Oh
Enthan darling neeMy darling, you
Vaarai enthan darlingWon't you come, my darling?
Kalai mevum varna jaalamMagic of vibrant colors filled with art
Konda kolam kaanalam } (2)In full display, let us behold } (2)
Oho enthan darling …Oh, my darling...
Male
{ Poovil{ In a flower
Thondrum menmaiThe softness that blooms,
Unthan penmai allavaIsn't that your delicate womanhood?
Female
ThaavumLeaping
Thendral vegamSpeed of the southern breeze,
Ungal kangal allava } (2)Isn't that in your eyes? } (2)
Male
Innum sollavaShall I say more?
Female
Adhil mannan allavaAren't you a master at that?
Male
AndhaThat
Ennam podhumThought is enough,
Podhum enthanEnough my
Baby ingu vaaBaby, come here!
Male
Oho enthanOh, my
Baby nee vaaraiBaby, won't you come?
Enthan baby kalaiMy baby, the artistic
Mevum varna jaalamMagic of vibrant colors
Konda kolam kaanalamIn full display, let us behold
Oho enthan babyOh, my baby
Female
{ Engum{ Everywhere
Inba vellam kanduSeeing a flood of joy,
Pongum ullamaeMy heart overflows;
Male
OdumGliding along,
Indha odamThis boat
Kooda paadal paadumae } (2)Sings a song too } (2)
Female
Vegam podhumaIs this speed enough?
Male
Idhu kaadhal vegamaIs this the speed of love?
Female
EnnaiAt me
Kaanum podhumEven when looking,
Ungal kangalDo your eyes
Kaadhal thedumaSearch for love?
Female
OhoOh
Enthan darling neeMy darling, you
Vaarai enthan darlingWon't you come, my darling?
Kalai mevum varna jaalamMagic of vibrant colors filled with art
Konda kolam kaanalamIn full display, let us behold
Oho enthan darlingOh, my darling
Male
{ Kannae{ My dear,
Unnai kaanumTo see you,
Kangal pinnaal illaiyaeMy eyes are not behind me;
Female
KannaalTo be seen
Kaanum vannamClearly with your eyes,
Naanum munnaal illaiyae } (2)I am not standing in front either } (2)
Male
Anbae odi vaaMy love, run to me!
Female
En raja odi vaaMy king, run to me!
Male
Vegu thooramStanding at such a
Nirkum kaadhal podhumGreat distance in love is enough;
Baby odi vaaBaby, run and come!
Male
Oho enthanOh, my
Baby nee vaaraiBaby, won't you come?
Enthan baby kalaiMy baby, the artistic
Mevum varna jaalamMagic of vibrant colors
Konda kolam kaanalamIn full display, let us behold
Oho enthan babyOh, my baby

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet from the film 'Then Nilavu' (1961) depicts two lovers expressing their affection while enjoying a boat ride in scenic nature. The song seamlessly weaves contemporary terms of endearment like 'Baby' and 'Darling' into classical Tamil poetic imagery, capturing the lighthearted banter, eager yearning, and joyful banter between the young couple.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Inba vellam kandu

Comparing happiness to a overflowing flood ('Inba vellam').

Personification

Indha odam kooda paadal paadumae

Attributing the human capability of singing a song to a moving boat ('odam').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Thondrum menmai / Unthan penmai allava

Rhyming of words with similar endings ('menmai' and 'penmai') at line endings.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaavum / Thendral vegam

Repetition of the initial sound ('Th') across adjacent words.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Then Nilavu' (1961), directed by C. V. Sridhar, was one of the earliest Tamil feature films to be shot extensively on location in Kashmir. The iconic soundtrack was composed by A. M. Rajah, who also performed the male vocal track alongside legendary singer P. Susheela, set to Kannadasan's charming lyrics.

Keep listening

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