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Isaimozhi
Manathil Urudhi Vendum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sangathamizh Kaviye

From Manathil Urudhi Vendum · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chitra, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Manathil Urudhi Vendum
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
19 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sanga thamizh kaviyae
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilae
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal
Thaagam adangidumo
Sanga thamizh kaviyae
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilae
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal
Thaagam adangidumo
Male : Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..
Ae….ae….ae….ae….
Maadhulam poovirukka adharkkul
Vaasanai thenirukka
Male :Paadhiyai naanedukka medhuvaai
Meedhiyai nee kodukka
Kadhalan kannuranga thalaivi
Koondhalil paai virikka
Male :Oru puram naan anaikka
Thazhuvi marupuram nee anaikka
Saaththiram meeriya keerththanam paada
Sugangalil layippaval naan
Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..
Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..
Poonguyil pedaithanai seraththaan
Aan kuyil paadiyatho
Female :Oodaththai pol naanum aadaththaan
Oodaiyum vaadiyatho
Kadhalan kaithodaththaan
Kadhalan kaithodaththaan
Intha kangalum thediyatho
Nee varum paadhaiyellaam angangae
Paarvaiyai oda vittaen
Nee varum paadhaiyellaam angangae
Paarvaiyai oda vittaen
Female :Thozhiyar yaavarum keligal pesa
Dhinam dhinam naan thaviththaen
Sanga thamizh kaviyae
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilae
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal
Thaagam adangidumo
Sanga thamizh kaviyae
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilae
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal
Thaagam adangidumo
Male :Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..
Ae….ae….ae….ae….
O classic Sangam Tamil poem,
O musical cuckoo singing in sweet rhythm,
If you ache in longing all alone,
Will this thirst ever be quenched?
O classic Sangam Tamil poem,
O musical cuckoo singing in sweet rhythm,
If you ache in longing all alone,
Will this thirst ever be quenched?
Male: O classic Sangam Tamil poem...
Hey... hey... hey... hey...
When there is a pomegranate flower, and inside it,
Fragrant sweet nectar waits,
Male: As I gently take one half,
And you softly give the rest,
For her lover to fall asleep, the woman
Spreads a bed of her long hair,
Male: As I embrace you from one side,
And you hold me close from the other,
Singing a song that breaks every rule,
I am the one who gets lost in this bliss.
O classic Sangam Tamil poem...
O classic Sangam Tamil poem...
Was it to unite with his mate
That the male cuckoo sang?
Female: Was it to rock me like a boat
That the stream yearned too?
Was it for her lover's touch,
Was it for her lover's touch,
That these eyes kept searching?
Along every path you would take,
I let my eyes wander and search for you.
Along every path you would take,
I let my eyes wander and search for you.
Female: As all my friends teased me,
Day after day, I ached with longing.
O classic Sangam Tamil poem,
O musical cuckoo singing in sweet rhythm,
If you ache in longing all alone,
Will this thirst ever be quenched?
O classic Sangam Tamil poem,
O musical cuckoo singing in sweet rhythm,
If you ache in longing all alone,
Will this thirst ever be quenched?
Male: O classic Sangam Tamil poem...
Hey... hey... hey... hey...
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic classical duet from the film Manathil Urudhi Vendum portrays deep romantic longing and intimate affection expressed through high literary Tamil and classical poetic metaphors. The lovers address each other as classic Sangam literature poems and musical nightingales, questioning whether the thirst of love can ever be quenched in loneliness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

“Sanga thamizh kaviyae”

Addressing the beloved as 'Sanga thamizh kavi' (Sangam Tamil epic) compares the lover's beauty and depth directly to ancient Tamil literature.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal”

Repetition of the initial 'Th' consonant sound in 'Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaal Thaagam'.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Oodaththai pol naanum aadaththaan”

Comparing her swaying movement to a boat floating on water using 'pol'.

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhugai)

“Oodaiyum vaadiyatho”

Matching second consonants across lines ('oodaththai' / 'oodaiyum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Manathil Urudhi Vendum was directed by K. Balachander. This track is renowned for its rich Carnatic-influenced melody composed by Ilaiyaraaja and features intricate vocal improvisations (swaras/aalap) rendered flawlessly by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra.

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