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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Penn Ninaithal Kaaman

From Meenatchi Kungumam · 1978

Lyricist
Karaikudi Narayanan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Meenatchi Kungumam
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
16 Oct 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai
Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai
Antharangam en madiyil
Senthoora kolam vizhigalil
Antharangam en madiyil
Munnae pinnae paaththu nada
Koottu paravai paadiya paadal
Kettathai maranthathammaa
Poo naagam koottukkul pugunthathammaa
Kaattu paathaiyil vedanai kandu
Kadhal kondathammaa
Anbodu kaavalil nindrathathammaa
Kanavo kadhaiyo yaar saatchi solvathu
Kanavo kadhaiyo yaar saatchi solvathu
Oo….ooo….oo……oo……
Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai
Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai
Ottai kappal onbathu naalumae
Payanam puriyavillai
Megaththin idiyum kuraiyavillai
Engo poguthu engo modhuthu
Edhuvum theriyavillai
Ammammaa idhuthaan enathu nilai
Vidiyum vaanam adhu endru varumo
Vidiyum vaanam adhu endru varumo
Aa….aah….haa….aa….
Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai
Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai
Azhukku koodaiyil archanai poovaai
Aandavan padaththaanae
En vaazhvai thoondilil vaiththaanae
Pennil vanthavan pennai kedukkum
Bedhamai seithaanae
Kanneerai panneer endraanae
Padaiththavan thavaru naan enna seivathu
Padaiththavan thavaru naan enna seivathu
Oo….ooo….oo……oo……
Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai
Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai
Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai
Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai
Antharangam en madiyil
Senthoora kolam vizhigalil
Antharangam en madiyil
Senthoora kolam vizhigalil
If a woman wishes, she is the goddess of love.
If a woman embraces, she is a garland of melodies.
Intimacy rests in my lap,
Bright red patterns glow in my eyes...
Intimacy rests in my lap,
Bright red patterns glow in my eyes...
The song sung by the bird in the nest,
Has forgotten all it ever heard.
A flower serpent entered its nest.
Seeing a hunter on the forest path,
It fell in love with him,
And lovingly stood guard over him.
Is it a dream or a story? Who can bear witness?
Is it a dream or a story? Who can bear witness?
Oh..... Oho..... Oh..... Oh.......
If a woman wishes, she is the goddess of love.
If a woman embraces, she is a garland of melodies.
A leaking boat for all nine days,
Has made no progress on its journey.
The thunder from the clouds has not stopped.
It drifts somewhere, it crashes somewhere,
Nothing is clear anymore.
Alas, this is my plight.
When will the dawn finally arrive?
When will the dawn finally arrive?
Ah.... Aah..... Haa.... Ah......
If a woman wishes, she is the goddess of love.
If a woman embraces, she is a garland of melodies.
Like a sacred flower in a dirty basket,
God created me,
And placed my life on a hook.
Born of a woman, he harms a woman,
And commits such senseless cruelty.
Calling my tears sweet rosewater.
It is the Creator's mistake, what can I do?
It is the Creator's mistake, what can I do?
Oh..... Oho..... Oh..... Oh.......
If a woman wishes, she is the goddess of love.
If a woman embraces, she is a garland of melodies.
If a woman wishes, she is the goddess of love.
If a woman embraces, she is a garland of melodies.
Intimacy rests in my lap,
Bright red patterns glow in my eyes...
Intimacy rests in my lap,
Bright red patterns glow in my eyes...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Pen Ninaiththaal Kaaman Devathai from Meenatchi Kungumam (1978) expresses the contrast between the sublime, divine potential of a woman's love and the tragic reality of her suffering. The refrain celebrates womanhood as the goddess of love and a sweet musical garland, while the verses reveal deep sorrow and existential despair through vivid allegories of caged birds, leaky ships, and sacred flowers trapped in dirt baskets. Ultimately, the song laments the cruelty of fate and the hypocrisy of men who mistreat women, questioning why destiny subjects a pure soul to endless tears and tribulation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai”

Compares a woman's affectionate embrace to a garland of musical ragas (Raagamaaligai).

Allegory & Metaphor

“Ottai kappal onbathu naalumae payanam puriyavillai”

Uses the metaphor of a leaky ship ('Ottai kappal') unable to navigate a stormy sea to symbolise a life in turmoil and distress.

Simile / Contrast

“Azhukku koodaiyil archanai poovaai aandavan padaththaanae”

Compares a noble life trapped in miserable circumstances to a divine worship flower ('Archanai poo') kept inside a filthy basket ('Azhukku koodai').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Pen ninaiththaal kaaman devathai / Pen anaiththaal raagamaaligai”

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Pen' across opening lines to create rhythmic symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered with emotional depth by S. Janaki, the song highlights lyricist Karaikudi Narayanan's talent for weaving deep philosophical grief into accessible cinematic poetry.

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