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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pournami Nilavil

From Kanni Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanni Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pournami nilavil pani vizhum iravilOn a full moon night, in the night where dew falls
Kadar karai manalil iruppomaaShall we sit on the beach sand?
Female
Maunathin mozhiyilIn the language of silence
Mayakkathin nilaiyilIn a state of enchantment
Kadhai kadhaiyaaga padippomaaShall we read story after story?
Male
Pournami nilavil pani vizhum iravilOn a full moon night, in the night where dew falls
Pournami nilavil pani vizhum iravilOn a full moon night, in the night where dew falls
Kadar karai manalil iruppomaaShall we sit on the beach sand?
Female
Maunathin mozhiyilIn the language of silence
Mayakkathin nilaiyilIn a state of enchantment
Maunathin mozhiyilIn the language of silence
Mayakkathin nilaiyilIn a state of enchantment
Kadhai kadhaiyaaga padippomaaShall we read story after story?
Male
Kamban thamizho paattinilaeIs it Kamban's Tamil in poetry?
Sanga thamizho madhuraiyilaeIs it Sangam Tamil in Madurai?
Kamban thamizho paattinilaeIs it Kamban's Tamil in poetry?
Sanga thamizho madhuraiyilaeIs it Sangam Tamil in Madurai?
Pillai thamizho mazhalaiylaeIs it Pillai Tamil in a child's babble?
Nee paesum thamizho vizhigalilaeIs the Tamil you speak located in your eyes?
Female
Nenjam muzhudhumAll over the heart
Kavidhai yezhudhuWrite poetry
Konjum isaiyai pazhagum pozhudhuWhen learning to practice affectionate music
Male
Thullum ilamai paruvam namadhuOur youthful age leaps with energy
Thottu thazhuvum sugamo pudhidhuThe bliss of touching and embracing is brand new
Female
Kan paarvaiyae un pudhu paadaloIs your glance a brand new song?
Male
Pon veenaiyae un poo maeniyoIs your flower-like body a golden Veena?
Male
Pournami nilavil pani vizhum iravilOn a full moon night, in the night where dew falls
Kadar karai manalil iruppomaaShall we sit on the beach sand?
Female
Maunathin mozhiyilIn the language of silence
Mayakkathin nilaiyilIn a state of enchantment
Kadhai kadhaiyaaga padippomaaShall we read story after story?
Female
Pillai paruvam thaai madiyilChildhood stage is on mother's lap
Pesum paruvam thamizh madiyilSpeaking stage is on Tamil's lap
Pillai paruvam thaai madiyilChildhood stage is on mother's lap
Pesum paruvam thamizh madiyilSpeaking stage is on Tamil's lap
Kanni paruvam en vadivilMaidenhood stage is in my form
Kaalam muzhudhum un madiyilAll through time, in your lap
Male
Panneer mazhai thaanLike a shower of rosewater
Vizhi mel pozhiyaRaining down upon the eyes
Thanneer alai pol kuzhal thaan neliyaAs hair waves like ocean waves
Female
Thannan thanimaiWhen lonely solitude
Thanal pol kodhikkaBoils like hot embers
Thanjam pugundhaal unnai thaan anaikkaShe sought refuge, embracing only you
Male
Pon oviyam en mana maedaiyilA golden painting on the stage of my heart
Female
Sol oviyam un oru jaadaiyilA portrait of words in your single gesture

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pournami Nilavil from Kanni Penn (1969) is a classic Tamil romantic duet set against the serene backdrop of a moonlit beach. The lovers express their deep affection and desire through poetically evocative imagery, using silence and glances as their primary language under the cool night dew.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kamban thamizho paattinilae / Sanga thamizho madhuraiyilae / Pillai thamizho mazhalaiylae

The lines end with matching phonetic suffixes (-ilae), creating a poetic rhythm throughout the verse.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Panneer mazhai thaan / Thanneer alai pol kuzhal thaan neliya

The second letter 'nn' (ண்ண) rhymes across consecutive lines, enhancing the song's musicality.

Simile (Upama / Uvamai)

Thanneer alai pol kuzhal thaan neliya

The wavy hair is directly compared to water waves using the comparative marker 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pon veenaiyae un poo maeniyo

The woman's soft body is metaphorically described as a golden veena.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanni Penn (1969) features Jaishankar and Vanisri in the lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this iconic duet was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela with lyricist Vaali using Tamil literary references like Kamban and Sangam Tamil.

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