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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sabthaswaram Puunagaiyil

From Nadagame Ulagam · 1979

Lyricist
V. Kumar
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Nadagame Ulagam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaa…Aha…
Female :Lalalaa laaFemale: Lalalaa laa
Male
Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kandenI saw the seven musical notes in your smile
Sangeethathin thaalattai kettenI heard the lullaby of music
Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kandenI saw the seven musical notes in your smile
Sangeethathin thaalattai kettenI heard the lullaby of music
Nadamadum kalaikoodamA walking art gallery
Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Was it created by the magic of your eyes?
Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Was it created by the magic of your eyes?
Female
Maeniyil aanandha layangalBlissful rhythms upon the body
Mogana raagathin nayangalNuances of the enchanting Mohanam ragam
Angangal engengumEverywhere across the limbs
Thaalathin kolangalaePatterns of rhythm
Female
Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kandenI saw the seven musical notes in your smile
Sangeethathin thaalattai kettenI heard the lullaby of music
Nadamadum kalaikoodamA walking art gallery
Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Was it created by the magic of your eyes?
Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Was it created by the magic of your eyes?
Female
Ni dha pa am ga ri sariNi dha pa ma ga ri sa ri
Male
Moovagai thamizh pesum poovizhi erendennaWhat are these two flower-like eyes that speak the three forms of Tamil?
Moovagai thamizh pesum poovizhi erendennaWhat are these two flower-like eyes that speak the three forms of Tamil?
Naal vagai gunam kondu aadumooDo they dance carrying the four types of feminine virtues?
Female
Nayagam thodum bodhu naanam vilaiyumWhen the hero touches, bashfulness blossoms
Nayagam thodum bodhu naanam vilaiyumWhen the hero touches, bashfulness blossoms
Naanalin inam pola dhegam valaiyumThe body bends like a swaying reed
Male
Neram ponnaana neramTime, a golden time
Female
Nerunga solkindrathoDoes it urge us to come closer?
Male
Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kandenI saw the seven musical notes in your smile
Female :Sangeethathin thaalattai kettenFemale: I heard the lullaby of music
Female
Aadai kalaindhaadum aasaiyil varum thendralThe breeze that comes with a desire to ruffle clothing
Aadai kalaindhaadum aasaiyil varum thendralThe breeze that comes with a desire to ruffle clothing
Aadavan thunai kandu anjumoo..hmmWill it feel shy upon seeing the hero's presence?.. hmm
Male
Maadhulam kaniyaagum maalai poluthuIn the evening hour when the pomegranate ripens
Maadhulam kaniyaagum maalai poluthuIn the evening hour when the pomegranate ripens
Manjalin niram kaattum mangai azhaguThe beauty of the maiden showing the golden hue of turmeric
Female
Yaavum kanna un sondhamAll of this is yours, my beloved
Male :Edhuthu kondaadavaMale: Shall I embrace and celebrate it?
Female
Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kandenI saw the seven musical notes in your smile
Sangeethathin thaalattai kettenI heard the lullaby of music
Male :Nadamadum kalaikoodamMale: A walking art gallery
Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Was it created by the magic of your eyes?
Female :Vizhi jaalathil uruvaanadho…Female: Was it created by the magic of your eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sabthasvaram Punnagaiyil Kanden is a poetic duet from the 1979 Tamil film Nadagame Ulagam, celebrating love and romance through classical music and literary imagery. The lovers equate their physical grace and romantic feelings to musical notes, ragams, and classical arts, describing the maiden's smile as the seven musical notes (saptaswaras) and her form as a moving art gallery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Sabthasvaram punnagaiyil kanden

Compares a gentle smile to the seven notes of music (Sabthasvaram).

Simile (Uvamai)

Naanalin inam pola dhegam valaiyum

Compares the woman's body bending in love to a reed (Naanal).

Alliteration (Monaai)

Nayagam thodum bodhu naanam vilaiyum

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive words (Nayagam, naanam, Naanalin, Neram, Nerunga).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar, 'Sabthasvaram Punnagaiyil Kanden' showcases a rich blend of Carnatic musical concepts (such as swaras and Mohana raga references) with classical Tamil literary tropes like Muthamizh (the three forms of Tamil) and the four traditional womanly virtues (Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu).

Keep listening

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