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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paayatha Kanal

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paayatha kanal paaya kavanendhiHolding a sling to launch unyielding fiery stones
Vilaiyadum kalaiyiname..aeeOh artistic herd of deer playing gracefully!
Kaayatha kanal paaya kavanendhiHolding a sling to launch unquenchable fire
Vilaiyadum kalaiyiname..aeeOh artistic herd of deer playing gracefully!
Theiyaadha nilavu pol deiveeghaLike an unwaning moon, radiant with divine light
Oli veesum kalai selvamaeOh precious treasure of art shedding luminance!
Thaayadhi maamanai kandathu polAs if spotting her maternal uncle
Pun muruval seidhaalumEven when she flashes a gentle smile
Thalai saayadha maan nalla jaadhi maanShe is a high-bred deer that never bows her head
Thulli paayadha maan..aa..aa..aaA deer that does not leap wildly.. aa.. aa.. aa..
Saayadha maan..Female :OhooA steadfast deer.. Female: Oho!
Male :Nalla jaadhi maanMale: A deer of noble breed
Female :AppadiyaFemale: Is that so?
Male :Thulli paayadha maanMale: A deer that does not bound away
Thalai saayadha maan ..paayadha maanA deer that holds its head high.. an unyielding deer
Male
Kaanal vanamaai sezhithaalumEven if the mirage-filled forest flourishes
Thulli paayaadha maanA deer that does not bound around needlessly
Karpanai kettaadha oru arpudha pudhumaiyoduWith an amazing novelty beyond imagination
Kavanathil aayalotti kanni paruvam nirandhadhumDriving away birds with a sling while entering youthful maidenhood
Paayadha maan …thulli paayadha maanUnyielding deer... deer that does not bound away
Male
Kanaiyil padadha nilaiyilaeIn a state untouched by arrows
Mei kaadhal ulaavum valaiyilaeIn the net where true love wanders
Kanaiyil padadha nilaiyilaeIn a state untouched by arrows
Mei kaadhal ulaavum valaiyilaeIn the net where true love wanders
Ulam kaniyavae manam magizhavaeSo that the heart ripens and the mind rejoices
Than dhinathai maranthu vanathil vasithu varumForgetting her daily routine, living in the forest
Paayadha maan ..thulli paayadha maanUnyielding deer... deer that does not bound away
Male
Kaavana medhinil theeviramaagaOn the high platform built for guarding fields
Kaaval purindhidum sundhara maanThe beautiful deer that vigilantly guards
Kalavai sandhana kadhambavaadaiFragrant with mixed sandalwood and floral perfumes
Kamalum azhagiya yevvana maanA beautiful, youthful deer emitting sweet scents
Male
Kangana kanakanavendru muzhangaWith bangles ringing melodiously 'kana-kana'
Sadhangai kulungum suthanthira maanAn independent deer whose anklets shake freely
Kalangaadhu ….uuu aaaaa aa haaa aaUnwavering.... uuu aaaaa aa haaa aa
Kalangaadhu kanaiyai kandu mayangaadhuUnwavering, unmesmerized by the sighting of an arrow
Kalangaadhu kanaiyai kandu mayangaadhuUnwavering, unmesmerized by the sighting of an arrow
Manamum thayangaadhu maraindhu padhungaadhuHer heart hesitates not, nor does she hide in ambush
Madhiyum thavaradhu edhaiyum madhiyadhuHer intellect errs not, paying no mind to worldly fear
Anudhinamum thinai kaaval purindhaalumEven while guarding the millet field every day
Amudha kalai thavazhalum nilaiA state where nectar-like arts softly crawl upon her
Kumudha malar ezhil vadhanamA face as lovely as a night lotus flower
Vadadha maanA deer that never fades
Vandhadundo undhan paarvaiyilaeHas such a creature ever met your gaze?
Undhan paarvaiyilaeIn your very sight?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Srivalli (1961) features Lord Murugan admiring Goddess Valli under the allegorical guise of praising a majestic, unyielding deer ('maan'). Set in the lush millet fields guarded by Valli, the lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass crafts rich metaphors where Valli's proud demeanor, sling-shooting agility, and pure grace are celebrated as unique virtues.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Theiyaadha nilavu pol deiveegha

Comparing Valli to an unwaning moon emitting divine light and a proud, high-bred deer that never bows her head.

Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeic Doubling)

Kangana kanakanavendru muzhanga

'Kanakanavendru' imitates the melodious jingling sound of bangles and anklets.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kalangaadhu kanaiyai kandu mayangaadhu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('Kalangaadhu', 'Manamum', 'Madhiyum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by legendary music director G. Ramanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. It captures a iconic dialogue-lyric exchange reflecting traditional Tamil theater dynamics transferred onto the silver screen.

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