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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Santhana Kattinil Malligai

From Anu · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anu1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathuJasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest
Mangala vaasangalAuspicious fragrances filled the air
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavilIn the evening light of the full moon
Sangathi pesungalSpeak of intimate love matters
Female
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathuJasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest
Mangala vaasangalAuspicious fragrances filled the air
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavilIn the evening light of the full moon
Sangathi pesungalSpeak of intimate love matters
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungalAh... ah... speak of intimate love matters
Male
Mayangum kangal Naalum saernthuWith entrancing eyes meeting every day
Kavithai ezhuthungalCompose poetry together
Mayangum kangal Naalum saernthuWith entrancing eyes meeting every day
Kavithai ezhuthungalCompose poetry together
Male
Maari kaala meganthannilAmidst the clouds of the monsoon season
Oorvalam sellungalGo on a romantic procession
Maari kaala meganthannilAmidst the clouds of the monsoon season
Oorvalam sellungalGo on a procession
Male
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathuJasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest
Mangala vaasangalAuspicious fragrances filled the air
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavilIn the evening light of the full moon
Sangathi pesungalSpeak of intimate love matters
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungalAh... ah... speak of intimate love matters
Male
: Aalilai meedhu koyilai kanduSeeing a divine temple upon a banyan leaf
Aadi koodungalDance and unite together
Aalilai meedhu koyilai kanduSeeing a divine temple upon a banyan leaf
Aadi koodungalDance and unite together
Aasai ennum neela kadalinIn the deep blue ocean named desire
Aazham paarungalExplore its true depth
Male
Paalil oorum kaniyai polaeJust like a fruit soaking in sweet milk
Anbinil oorungalImmerse yourself in love
Paalil oorum kaniyai polaeJust like a fruit soaking in sweet milk
Anbinil oorungalImmerse yourself in love
Paadhi kannil paarththu kondaeLooking gently through half-closed eyes
Vedham padiyungalRecite the sacred scripture of romance
Female
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathuJasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest
Mangala vaasangalAuspicious fragrances filled the air
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavilIn the evening light of the full moon
Sangathi pesungalSpeak of intimate love matters
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungalAh... ah... speak of intimate love matters
Female
Oradi munnum oradi pinnumOne step forward and one step back
Kaaladi podungalPlace your footsteps gently
Oradi munnum oradi pinnumOne step forward and one step back
Kaaladi podungalPlace your footsteps gently
Oonjal polae oruvar tholilLike a swing resting on each other's shoulders
Oruvar aadungalSway back and forth together
Male
Aaradi koondhalai panjanaiyaakkiTransforming six-foot long hair into a soft bed
Aanantham kollungalAttain ultimate bliss
Aaradi koondhalai panjanaiyaakkiTransforming six-foot long hair into a soft bed
Aanantham kollungalAttain ultimate bliss
Aadhi kaala manitharai polaeJust like the ancient primal humans
Paashai pesungalSpeak the wordless language of love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and romantic Tamil song penned by legendary lyricist Kannadasan uses vivid nature metaphors to express the intimate union of two lovers. Set against a backdrop of sandalwood forests, blooming jasmine, and full moon nights, the song encourages the couple to immerse themselves fully in love, compare their bond to sacred traditions, and connect deeply without reservations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Paalil oorum kaniyai polae

Compares soaking in love to a sweet fruit absorbing milk using the word 'polae' (like).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Aasai ennum neela kadalin

Directly compares desire to a vast blue sea ('Aasai ennum neela kadal').

Monai (Alliteration)

Oradi munnum oradi pinnum

Repetition of initial vowel/consonant sounds across consecutive lines ('Oradi', 'Oonjal', 'Aaradi', 'Aadhi').

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic track is from the rare 1982 Tamil movie 'Anu', featuring poetic lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan filled with classical imagery like banyan leaves (Aalilai) and Vedic metaphors adapted into romantic contexts.

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