Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sangathamizh Kaviye

From Manathil Urudhi Vendum · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chitra, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manathil Urudhi Vendum1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sanga thamizh kaviyaeO epic poem of Sangam Tamil,
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilaeO musical nightingale reciting rhythmic tunes,
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaalIf one suffers in absolute solitude,
Thaagam adangidumoWill that thirst ever be quenched?
Female
Sanga thamizh kaviyaeO epic poem of Sangam Tamil,
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilaeO musical nightingale reciting rhythmic tunes,
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaalIf one suffers in absolute solitude,
Thaagam adangidumoWill that thirst ever be quenched?
Male : Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..Male: O epic poem of Sangam Tamil...
Ae….ae….ae….ae….Ae....ae....ae....ae....
Female
Maadhulam poovirukka adharkkulWhen the pomegranate blossom blooms, within it
Vaasanai thenirukkaLies fragrant sweet nectar,
Male :Paadhiyai naanedukka medhuvaaiMale: As I gently take one half,
Meedhiyai nee kodukkaAnd you offer the remaining half,
Female
Kadhalan kannuranga thalaiviFor the lover to sleep, the heroine
Koondhalil paai virikkaSpreads out a bed with her soft hair,
Male :Oru puram naan anaikkaMale: While I embrace on one side,
Thazhuvi marupuram nee anaikkaYou embrace and hold tight on the other side,
Female
Saaththiram meeriya keerththanam paadaSinging a sacred song that transcends traditions,
Sugangalil layippaval naanI am the one immersed in bliss.
Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..O epic poem of Sangam Tamil...
Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..O epic poem of Sangam Tamil...
Female
Poonguyil pedaithanai seraththaanDid the male cuckoo sing its song
Aan kuyil paadiyathoTo unite with the female cuckoo?
Female :Oodaththai pol naanum aadaththaanFemale: As I swayed like a boat,
Oodaiyum vaadiyathoDid even the stream wither away?
Female
Kadhalan kaithodaththaanJust to feel the touch of her lover's hand,
Kadhalan kaithodaththaanJust to feel the touch of her lover's hand,
Intha kangalum thediyathoWere these eyes searching for you?
Male
Nee varum paadhaiyellaam angangaeAll along the path where you arrive,
Paarvaiyai oda vittaenI let my gaze wander and search.
Nee varum paadhaiyellaam angangaeAll along the path where you arrive,
Paarvaiyai oda vittaenI let my gaze wander and search.
Female :Thozhiyar yaavarum keligal pesaFemale: As my friends teased and poked fun,
Dhinam dhinam naan thaviththaenI suffered in longing day after day.
Male
Sanga thamizh kaviyaeO epic poem of Sangam Tamil,
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilaeO musical nightingale reciting rhythmic tunes,
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaalIf one suffers in absolute solitude,
Thaagam adangidumoWill that thirst ever be quenched?
Female
Sanga thamizh kaviyaeO epic poem of Sangam Tamil,
Santhangal sollum isaikuyilaeO musical nightingale reciting rhythmic tunes,
Thannanthaniyaaga thavithaalIf one suffers in absolute solitude,
Thaagam adangidumoWill that thirst ever be quenched?
Male :Sanga thamizh kaviyae…..Male: O epic poem of Sangam Tamil...
Ae….ae….ae….ae….Ae....ae....ae....ae....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Manathil Urudhi Vendum