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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Samuthra Rajakumari

From Engal Vathiyar · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Engal Vathiyar1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Samuthra raja kumaari suga pushpa sugumaariPrincess of the ocean king, tender flower-like delicate maiden,
Nava naagareega naari namo namo namahaaModern sophisticated woman, I offer my salutations, salutations!
Namo namo namahaaSalutations, salutations!
Female
Samuthra raja kumaaraa suga raaja sugumaaraaPrince of the ocean king, joyful king, tender gentleman,
Nava naagareega naari namo namo namahaaModern sophisticated woman, I offer my salutations, salutations!
Namo namo namahaaSalutations, salutations!
Male
Alaigal pondra koondhaloduWith hair flowing like gentle waves,
Avalum vilaiyaadinaalShe played playfully.
Alaigal pondra koondhaloduWith hair flowing like gentle waves,
Avalum vilaiyaadinaalShe played playfully.
Female
Azhagu meen pol kangaloduWith eyes shaped like beautiful fish,
Avanum uravaadinaanHe built a loving relationship.
Azhagu meen pol kangaloduWith eyes shaped like beautiful fish,
Avanum uravaadinaanHe built a loving relationship.
Male
Vaanaththai neengi vanthaHaving descended from the heavenly skies,
Poo mugaththu deva mangai aadattumLet the celestial maiden with a flower-like face dance!
Female :Kaanaththai neekki vanthaFemale: Having removed the dense darkness,
Ponniraththu vanna idhazh paadattumLet her golden-hued lips sing!
Male :Aa…aa…aa….aa….Male: Aa…aa…aa….aa….
Female :Aa…aa…aa….aa….Female: Aa…aa…aa….aa….
Male :AadattumMale: Let her dance!
Female :PaadattumFemale: Let her sing!
Male
Samuthra raja kumaari suga pushpa sugumaariPrincess of the ocean king, tender flower-like delicate maiden,
Female :Nava naagareega naari namo namo namahaaFemale: Modern sophisticated woman, I offer my salutations, salutations!
Female
Ilaiya veenai pudhiya raagamA young veena playing a fresh musical melody,
Adhanai avan meettinaanHe strummed it gently.
Ilaiya veenai pudhiya raagamA young veena playing a fresh musical melody,
Adhanai avan meettinaanHe strummed it gently.
Male
Ilaiyil aadum kanigal thanthuOffering fruits that sway among the leaves,
Amuthai aval oottrinaalShe poured forth divine nectar.
Female
Aaramba vedham ondru meni thottuLike an introductory scripture touching the body,
Mella mella pesattumLet it speak softly and gently.
Male :Ooranga naadagaththai aayul mattumMale: In this sleepless nocturnal drama lasting a lifetime,
Naanamindri neenthattumLet them swim together without any shyness!
Female :Aa…aa…aa….aa….Female: Aa…aa…aa….aa….
Male :Aa…aa…aa….aa….Male: Aa…aa…aa….aa….
Female :AadattumFemale: Let her dance!
Male :PaadattumMale: Let her sing!
Female
Samuthra raja kumaaraa suga raaja sugumaaraaPrince of the ocean king, joyful king, tender gentleman,
Male :Nava naagareega naari namo namo namahaaMale: Modern sophisticated woman, I offer my salutations, salutations!
Female :Namo namo namahaaFemale: Salutations, salutations!
Male :Namo namo namahaaMale: Salutations, salutations!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet from Engal Vathiyar (1980) portrays romantic admiration and affectionate teasing between two lovers. They compare each other to divine and oceanic royalty, using vivid natural and musical metaphors to describe their romantic bond. The male protagonist compares her beauty to celestial maidens and ocean waves, while she reciprocates by expressing her affection through sweet imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Alaigal pondra koondhalodu

Compares her flowing hair directly to gentle ocean waves using the comparative marker 'pondra'.

Simile (Upamai)

Azhagu meen pol kangalodu

Compares her beautiful eyes to fish using the comparative marker 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ilaiya veenai pudhiya raagam

Metaphorically describes the beloved as a young veena producing a new melody strummed by her lover.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Namo namo namahaa

Repetition of reverent salutations ('Namo namo namahaa') to add rhythmic elegance and express adoration.

Did you know?

Trivia

Engal Vathiyar (1980) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song demonstrates lyricist Kannadasan's expertise in seamlessly blending Sanskritized poetic rhythmic epithets with classical Tamil metaphors, brought to life by singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam.

Keep listening

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