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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Senkarumbu Chatrinile

From Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali · 1959

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, A. Nityakala
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sengarumbhu saatrinilae thaen kalandhuMixing honey into red sugarcane juice,
Iniya thellamudhin suvaiyodu kani pizhindhuSqueezing fruit with the taste of sweet divine nectar,
Sengarumbhu saatrinilae thaen kalandhuMixing honey into red sugarcane juice,
Iniya thellamudhin suvaiyodu kani pizhindhuSqueezing fruit with the taste of sweet divine nectar,
Thingalaiyum thangamodu kalavai thandhuGiving a blend of the moon and gold,
Aaa…aaa…..haaa…aaa…Aaa...aaa...haaa...aaa...
Thingalaiyum thangamodu kalavai thandhuGiving a blend of the moon and gold,
Varaindha sithiramae karpanaiyin arpudhamaeO painted portrait! O wonder of imagination!
En vizhiyodu vilaiyadum kanavallavaAre you not the dream playing with my eyes?
Vizhiyodu vilaiyadum kanavallavaAre you not the dream playing with eyes?
Nenjam maravaamal uravaadum ninaivallavaaAre you not the memory lingering and bonding without the heart forgetting?
Female
Thengathu moovendhar thol valimaiyumThe unwaning strength of shoulders of the three great kings,
Seran senguttuvan thambhiyai pol pulamaiyumAnd scholarship like the brother of Cheran Senguttuvan,
Thengathu moovendhar thol valimaiyumThe unwaning strength of shoulders of the three great kings,
Seran senguttuvan thambhiyai pol pulamaiyumAnd scholarship like the brother of Cheran Senguttuvan,
Manam ennum bodhae inikkum ezhil valamaiyumAnd the beautiful richness that tastes sweet even at the mere thought,
Manam ennum bodhae inikkum ezhil valamaiyumAnd the beautiful richness that tastes sweet even at the mere thought,
Niraindha ennuyirae mannavarae innamudhaeO my full life, my king, my sweet nectar!
Male
Vizhiyodu vilaiyadum kanavallavaAre you not the dream playing with eyes?
Endhan vizhiyodu vilaiyadum kanavallavaAre you not the dream playing with my eyes?
Female :Nenjam maravaamal uravaadum ninaivallavooFemale: Is it not a memory that bonds without the heart ever forgetting?
Female
Sindhu paadum thendral veesum inbamana iravaeO blissful night where the breeze blows singing a melody!
Sindhu paadum thendral veesum inbamana iravaeO blissful night where the breeze blows singing a melody!
Male :Endha naalum mangidatha adhamaana nilavaeMale: O sublime moon that never fades on any day!
Endha naalum mangidatha adhamaana nilavaeMale: O sublime moon that never fades on any day!
Female
Anbu maevum kangal pesum vindhai yedho ariyaenI do not know what wonder the loving eyes speak...
Anbu maevum kangal pesum vindhai yedho ariyaenI do not know what wonder the loving eyes speak...
Male :Pongum kaadhal sanganaadham konjudhae saelvizhiyaeMale: The conch-call of overflowing love coos, O fish-eyed one!
Pongum kaadhal sanganaadham konjudhae saelvizhiyaeThe conch-call of overflowing love coos, O fish-eyed one!
Male
Jaadhi madham illadha idamA place without caste or religion,
Kaasu panam kaanadha idamA place where money and wealth are unseen,
Jaadhi madham illadha idamA place without caste or religion,
Kaasu panam kaanadha idamA place where money and wealth are unseen,
Male
Aadhi manidhan vaazhndha idamThe place where primitive man lived,
Adhuvae kaadhal vaazhum idamThat indeed is the place where love lives!
Aadhi manidhan vaazhndha idamThe place where primitive man lived,
Adhuvae kaadhal vaazhum idamThat indeed is the place where love lives!
Male
Thaazhvum uyarvum kidaiyadhuThere is no high or low status,
Thaniyaar udaimai kidaiyadhuThere is no private property,
Thaazhvum uyarvum kidaiyadhuThere is no high or low status,
Thaniyaar udaimai kidaiyadhuThere is no private property,
Male
Vaazhum urimai ellorkkumThe right to live belongs to everyone,
Marukkum vazhakkam kidaiyadhuThere is no practice of denial,
Vaazhum urimai ellorkkumThe right to live belongs to everyone,
Marukkum vazhakkam kidaiyadhuThere is no practice of denial.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song blends romantic adoration with progressive social commentary. In the opening movement, the lovers exchange poetic praises using rich sensory metaphors of honey, sugarcane, divine nectar, and ancient Tamil glory—specifically referencing Ilango Adigal (the royal brother of Cheran Senguttuvan). As the song evolves, it transcends typical romantic discourse into an idealistic vision of human society. The lovers describe a utopian realm modeled on primitive human existence, free from the burdens of caste, religion, monetary division, social hierarchy, and private ownership, where the right to live belongs equally to all.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Sengarumbhu saatrinilae thaen kalandhu

Compares the sweet presence of the beloved to a mixture of red sugarcane juice, honey, and divine nectar.

Historical Allusion (Varalaatru Kurippu)

Seran senguttuvan thambhiyai pol pulamaiyum

Alludes to Prince Ilango Adigal, brother of King Cheran Senguttuvan and author of the epic Silappatikaram, to signify deep scholarly wisdom.

Visual Imagery (Katchi Uvamaani)

Varaindha sithiramae karpanaiyin arpudhamae

Addresses the beloved as a painted masterpiece and a marvel born of imagination.

Social Idealism / Utopia (Samudhaya Sindhanai)

Jaadhi madham illadha idam / Kaasu panam kaanadha idam

Employs antithetical structures to contrast modern social divides (caste, religion, money) with primitive egalitarian harmony.

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Trivia

The line 'Seran senguttuvan thambhiyai pol pulamaiyum' refers directly to Prince Ilango Adigal, who renounced his royal rights to write Silappatikaram, one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature. Additionally, the egalitarian themes in the latter half of the song ('Jaadhi madham illadha idam', 'Thaniyaar udaimai kidaiyadhu') reflect the strong influence of Dravidian socio-political reform ideology prevalent in 1950s Tamil cinema.

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