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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sendhoor Murugan Kovilile

From Shanthi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Shanthi1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruIn the temple of Murugan at Tiruchendur, a
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenNews I heard, I heard.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard.
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruIn the temple of Murugan at Tiruchendur, a
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenNews I heard, I heard.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard.
Female
Kangal irandai vel ena eduthuTaking both eyes as a spear,
Kaiyodu kondaanadiHe took them along with him, my friend.
Kangal irandai vel ena eduthuTaking both eyes as a spear,
Kaiyodu kondaanadiHe took them along with him, my friend.
Kanniyin manadhil kaadhal kavidhaiIn a maiden's heart, a love poem,
Sollaamal sonnaanadiHe spoke without speaking, my friend.
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruIn the temple of Murugan at Tiruchendur, a
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenNews I heard, I heard.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard.
Female
Oorvalam ponavan oriru maadhamHe who went on a journey stayed away
Vaaraamal nindraanadiWithout coming for a month or two, my friend.
Oorvalam ponavan oriru maadhamHe who went on a journey stayed away
Vaaraamal nindraanadiWithout coming for a month or two, my friend.
Vaaraamal vandhavan paavai udalaiHe who didn't come, came, and then without joining this maiden's body,
Saeraamal sendraanadi saeraamal sendraanadiLeft without embracing, left without embracing, my friend.
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruIn the temple of Murugan at Tiruchendur, a
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenNews I heard, I heard.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard.
Male
Naalai varuvaan naayagan endraeSaying the hero will come tomorrow,
Nallorgal sonnaaradiGood elders told me, my friend.
Naalai varuvaan naayagan endraeSaying the hero will come tomorrow,
Nallorgal sonnaaradiGood elders told me, my friend.
Naayagan thaanum olai vadivilThe hero himself in the form of a palm-leaf letter,
Ennodu vandhaanadiCame to me, my friend.
Aadai thiruthi maalaigal thoduthuAdjusting my attire, weaving garlands,
Vaasalil varuvaenadiI will come to the doorway, my friend.
Aadai thiruthi maalaigal thoduthuAdjusting my attire, weaving garlands,
Vaasalil varuvaenadiI will come to the doorway, my friend.
Mannavan ennai maarbil thazhuviThe king embracing me to his chest,
Vaazhgena chonnaanadiSaid 'Live blissfully!', my friend.
Vaazhgena chonnaanadiSaid 'Live blissfully!', my friend.
Male
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruIn the temple of Murugan at Tiruchendur, a
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenNews I heard, I heard.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard,
Paadalai naan kaettenA song I heard.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sendhoor Murugan Kovililae' is a classic romantic and devotional song from the 1965 Tamil movie Shanthi, written by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan. Narrated by a heroine to her female confidante ('adi'), the song weaves together romantic longing and divine devotion using the coastal temple of Tiruchendur Murugan at dawn as its evocative backdrop. She describes how her lover captivated her heart through a single sharp gaze, left for a lengthy period, but maintained their sacred bond through written messages. Throughout the song, the heroine describes her changing emotions—from the pain of separation to the joyous anticipation of reunion. Upon receiving word of his arrival, she prepares herself with fine attire and floral garlands, eagerly awaiting the moment when her king will embrace her and bless their life together. The dawn setting, marked by the crowing rooster (a motif linked to Lord Murugan's flag), underlines the theme of hope and a bright new beginning.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kangal irandai vel ena eduthu

Compares the sharp, captivating gaze of the lover to a 'vel' (the divine spear of Lord Murugan).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Sendhoor murugan kovililae oru / Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaetten / Saeval koovum kaalai naeram

Repetition of the 'Sa' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines ('Sendhoor', 'Saedhiyai', 'Saeval').

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Naalai varuvaan naayagan endrae / Naayagan thaanum olai vadivil

Rhyming of the second letter 'y' ('yag') in 'Naayagan' across adjacent lines.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Sollaamal sonnaanadi

Expressing unspoken feelings using contrasting words ('sollaamal sonnaanadi' - told without speaking).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Shanthi (1965) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Devika. The iconic soundtrack was composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and this memorable song was sung by P. Susheela with lyrics penned by Kannadasan.

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