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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sattena Nenaindhadhu Nenjam

From Kannathil Muthamittal · 2002

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Minmini
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kannathil Muthamittal2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sattena nanaindhadhu nenjamSuddenly, my heart became drenched
Sarkarai aanadhu kaneerMy tears turned sweet as sugar
Inbam inbam oru thunbamJoy, joy is a kind of sorrow
Thunbam eththanai perinbamAnd how great a supreme bliss this sorrow is!
Female
Sattena nanaindhadhu nenjamSuddenly, my heart became drenched
Sarkarai aanadhu kaneerMy tears turned sweet as sugar
Inbam inbam oru thunbamJoy, joy is a kind of sorrow
Thunbam eththanai perinbamAnd how great a supreme bliss this sorrow is!
Female
Udalukkul malligai thooralA drizzle of jasmine inside my body
En uyirukkul melliya keeralA soft scratch within my soul
Sugamaai sugammaai kollai iduPlunder me pleasantly and delightfully
En uyirai mattum vittu viduJust spare my life alone
Female
Endha vaasal vazhiThrough which doorway
Kaadhal nadandhuvarumLove would walk in
Endru kaathu kidandhenThus I lay waiting
Adhu vaanil parandhu vandhuThat it would fly through the sky
Koorai thirandhu varumAnd come breaking through the roof
Endru indru thelindhenToday I finally understood
Female
Thaavi vandhu enai anaitha podhuWhen it leaped and embraced me
Endhan salli vergal arundhenMy tiny taproots snapped
Saavin ellai varai sendru meenduGoing up to the boundary of death and returning
Indru rendu janmam adaidhenToday I have attained a second rebirth
Female
{Thudikkum udhadu konduWith quivering lips
Thudaiththidu vetkaththaiWipe away my shyness
Anaippin aadhikkathaalThrough the dominance of your embrace
Veliyetru achaththai} (2)Banish my fear
Female
Sugamaai sugamaai kollai iduPlunder me pleasantly and delightfully
En uyirai mattum vittu vidu…uuuJust spare my life alone
Female
Sattena nanaindhadhu nenjamSuddenly, my heart became drenched

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a profound emotional awakening and the overwhelming power of love and intimacy. The narrator describes love not as a gentle visitor entering through expected doors, but as an uncontrollable force crashing in from above, completely altering their existence. The intense emotions create a sensation of sweet surrender, where tears turn to sugar and pain merges seamlessly with bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Oxymoron / Paradox)

Inbam inbam oru thunbam / Thunbam eththanai perinbam

Pairs contrasting terms like 'Inbam' (joy) and 'Thunbam' (sorrow) to portray the sweet agony of intense love.

Uruvaagam (Metaphor)

Sarkarai aanadhu kaneer / Udalukkul malligai thooral

Compares emotional relief to tears turning into sugar and internal sensations to a rain of jasmine flowers.

Uyarnavirtchi Ani (Hyperbole)

Saavin ellai varai sendru meendu / Indru rendu janmam adaidhen

Exaggerates the depth of emotional experience as traveling to the edge of death and gaining a rebirth.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the critically acclaimed film 'Kannathil Muthamittal' (2002), directed by Mani Ratnam with music composed by A. R. Rahman and lyricist Vairamuthu.

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