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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Risivanamthane

From Shaakuntalam · 2023

Lyricist
Kabilan
Singers
Naresh Iyer, Chinmayi
Music director
Mani Sharma
Details
Shaakuntalam2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Rishivanam thanaeIs this sage's forest itself
SorgalogamThe heavenly world?
Panivanathil thoorumDrizzling in the dewy forest,
Agni theerthamIs the holy fire water.
Male
Arugil kandenaeI saw up close
Azhagin vanmam thanThe intense power of beauty itself.
Idharkku yaar satchiWho is the witness to this?
Vanathin kangal thanOnly the eyes of the forest.
Female
Suyavaramae illaWithout any formal choice of groom,
Nam mukoorthamIs our auspicious wedding time.
Mudhal mudhalaai meetumStrummed for the very first time,
Moga keerthamIs the melody of passion.
Female
Arumbu nenjaagaWith a heart like a budding flower,
Ilaitha penmaiFemininity has blossomed softly.
Karumbu villalaeWith a bow made of sugarcane,
Thulaitha mannan neeYou are the king who pierced my heart.
Male
Rishivanam thanaeIs this sage's forest itself
SorgalogamThe heavenly world?
Panivanathil thoorumDrizzling in the dewy forest,
Agni theerthamIs the holy fire water.
Female
Vanamellaam pookalAll over the forest, flowers
Poothu koodidum sadhaGather together in full bloom constantly.
Adhanin vaasathilWithin their fragrance,
Unnai paarkkirenI behold you.
Male
Vanathilae naanumI too walk through the forest,
Vettaikaaranaai ulaaStrolling like a hunter.
Kaaman velaalae naanumYet by the spear of Kamadeva, I too
VeezhgirenFall completely smitten.
Female
PattampoochiThe butterfly,
Sinungudhae etharkaeWhy does it act so coy?
Male
Sundhari unnaal thanadiOh beautiful one, it is all because of you!
Female
Ennai paarthuLooking at me,
Thaeniyaavum thaakaEven the honeybee attacks,
Male
Unnai thaenaai ninaithae thaanMistaking you yourself for honey!
Vanna pennae maalai kondean naanaeOh colorful woman, I held the wedding garland,
Vetri theril naan parandhean…I flew high upon a chariot of victory...
Female
NeeyaeYou are everything...
Male :Naanaavean….Male: I shall become yours...
Female
Suyavaramae illaWithout any formal choice of groom,
Nam mukoorthamIs our auspicious wedding time.
Mudhal mudhalaai meetumStrummed for the very first time,
Moga keerthamIs the melody of passion.
Female
Kanavu nadhi odiThe river of dreams runs fast,
Adhu thaavi varumaeIt comes leaping along,
Vidhiyin kadalil serthidumaeAnd merges into the ocean of destiny.
Male :Malini oramMale: On the banks of River Malini,
Nee vasitha kaalamaeThe time you dwelt there,
Podhum poove vaaIs cherished enough; come, my flower,
TheendavaFor me to touch you!
Male
Ellai illaa ivvaanam boomiThis boundless sky and earth
Female :Namakaai kaathu kidakkaFemale: Lie in wait for us.
Male :Kallam illaMale: Pure and innocent,
Putham pudhu boomiThis brand new earth
Female :Dhinamum vaazhthu sollumaeFemale: Will shower blessings on us daily!
Male
Vidiyal illaOh moon without a dawn,
Vennila vaa vaaCome, please come!
Raajanai aalumThe queen who rules over the king,
Raniyae nee vaaCome, my queen!
Female
NeeyaeYou are everything...
Male :Naanaavean….Male: I shall become yours...
Male
Rishivanam thanaeIs this sage's forest itself
SorgalogamThe heavenly world?
Panivanathil thoorumDrizzling in the dewy forest,
Agni theerthamIs the holy fire water.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Shaakuntalam' captures the celestial love and Gandharva marriage between King Dushyanta and Shakuntala amidst the serene forest ashram of Sage Kanva along the Malini river. Shakuntala and Dushyanta express how nature itself acts as their witness, priest, and sanctifying force in place of traditional human rituals, turning the quiet forest into a paradise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron

Panivanathil thoorum Agni theertham

Juxtaposes cold dew ('Panivanam') with sacred fire water ('Agni theertham') to symbolize how cool nature yields sacred warmth.

Metaphor

Karumbu villalae Thulaitha mannan nee

Refers to Kamadeva's bow made of sugarcane ('Karumbu vil') piercing the heart with love.

Extended Metaphor

Kanavu nadhi odi... Vidhiyin kadalil serthidumae

Compares human longings to a river ('Kanavu nadhi') flowing relentlessly toward the vast sea of destiny ('Vidhiyin kadal').

Personification

Vanathin kangal than

Attributes human vision and witness to the forest ('Vanathin kangal').

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is part of Gunasekhar's pan-Indian magnum opus 'Shaakuntalam', based on Kalidasa's classic Sanskrit play 'Abhijñānaśākuntalam'. Mani Sharma composed the score, re-teaming with director Gunasekhar after classic Telugu musical hits like 'Okkadu' and 'Varudu'.

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