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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Penn Bothai

From Itho Enthan Deivam · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Itho Enthan Deivam1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pen bothai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
En bothai adhaivida pudhithuMy intoxication is even newer and fresher than that.
Pen bodhai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
En bothai adhaivida pudhithuMy intoxication is even newer and fresher than that.
Female
Thiththikkum thenaaru muththangal munnooruA sweet river of honey, three hundred kisses,
Pennaasai illaatha ullangal ingaethuWhere are the hearts here that do not desire a woman?
Edhu edhu edhu……Which one? Which one? Which one?...
Female
Pen bothai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
Female
Thallaadi aadungal kondaattam podungalStagger and dance, celebrate and make merry,
En meethu kann vaiyungalFix your eyes upon me.
Sallaapa leelaikku undaana amsangalThe qualities designed for romantic pleasure,
Santhiththappin sollungalTell me after you have experienced them.
Female
Thallaadi aadungal kondaattam podungalStagger and dance, celebrate and make merry,
En meethu kann vaiyungalFix your eyes upon me.
Sallaapa leelaikku undaana amsangalThe qualities designed for romantic pleasure,
Santhiththappin sollungalTell me after you have experienced them.
Female
En kannangal pon vannangalMy cheeks shine with golden colors,
Neeyaadu ingundu pookkinnangalDance along, for here are cups filled with flowers.
Female
Pen bothai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
En bothai adhaivida pudhithuMy intoxication is even newer and fresher than that.
Female
Sorkkaththil rambaikku pakkaththil ninnaalumEven if you stand next to Rambha in heaven,
Naan sollum inbam illaiThe joy I speak of cannot be found there.
Thukkaththai thallungal sorkaththai thedungalCast away your sorrow and seek paradise,
Vetkaththil arththam illaiThere is no meaning in being shy.
Female
Naam vaazhvathu yaar ketpathuWho can question the way we live?
Naan ketta kelvikku naal paarpathuMust one consult auspicious days to answer my question?
Female
Pen bothai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
En bothai adhaivida pudhithuMy intoxication is even newer and fresher than that.
Female
Thiththikkum thenaaru muththangal munnooruA sweet river of honey, three hundred kisses,
Pennaasai illaatha ullangal ingaethuWhere are the hearts here that do not desire a woman?
Edhu edhu edhu……Which one? Which one? Which one?...
Female
Pen bothai madhuvininum inithuThe intoxication of a woman is sweeter than wine,
En bothai adhaivida pudhithuMy intoxication is even newer and fresher than that.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic club song from the 1972 movie 'Itho Enthan Deivam' celebrates sensuality, abandon, and the captivating nature of romance. Sung dynamic and temptingly by L. R. Eswari, the speaker entices the listener to cast aside worry, shyness, and societal inhibitions in favor of enjoying the immediate, heady pleasures of life, comparing womanhood to an intoxication sweeter than wine and superior even to heavenly temptations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pen bothai madhuvininum inithu / En bothai adhaivida pudhithu

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythm ('bothai' and 'bothai', 'Thiththikkum' and 'Pennaasai').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thiththikkum thenaaru muththangal munnooru

Comparing kisses directly to a flowing river of sweet honey ('thenaaru muththangal').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Sorkkaththil rambaikku pakkaththil ninnaalum / Naan sollum inbam illai

Exaggerating pleasure as superior to standing next to the celestial nymph Rambha in paradise.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track is a quintessential 1970s Tamil cabaret number rendered by L. R. Eswari, who was renowned in Indian cinema for her distinctive vocal timbre in westernized club numbers.

Keep listening

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