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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Shenbagame Shenbagame Duet

From Enga Ooru Pattukaran · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, Sunanda
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enga Ooru Pattukaran1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattu pattu poochi polaeLike a bright, colorful butterfly
Ethanaiyo vannam minnumShining with so many colors
Nattu vachu naan parikkaaA garden that I grew
Naan valartha nandhavanamFor me to plant and pick from
Female
Katti vaikum en manasaAnd the fragrant jasmine flower
Vaasam varum malligaiyumThat keeps my heart bound
Thottu thottu naan parikkaTo touch and pick again and again
Thudikkidhu andha shenbagamumThat Shenbagam flower is eager too
Female
Shenbagamae shenbagamaeOh Shenbagam, oh Shenbagam
Thenpodhigai sandhanamaeFragrant like the sandalwood of Thenpodhigai
Thedi varum en manamaeMy heart comes searching for you
Serndhirundhaa sammadhamaeIf we are united, it has my wholehearted consent
Female
Shenbagamae shenbagamaeOh Shenbagam, oh Shenbagam
Thenpodhigai sandhanamaeFragrant like the sandalwood of Thenpodhigai
Female
{Un paadham pogum paadhaiAlong the path where your feet tread
Naanum poga vandhenaeI too came along to walk
Un melae aasaipattuHaving fallen in love with you
Kaathu kaathu ninnenae} (2)I stood waiting patiently for a long time
Female
Un mugam parthuJust looking at your face
Nimmadhi aachuBrought peace to my soul
En manaam thaanaMy heart effortlessly
PaadidalaachuBegan to burst into song
Female
Ennoda pattu sathamThe sound of my song
Thedum unna pinnalaWill follow and seek you from behind
Eppodhum unna thottuAlways touching your heart gently
Paadaporen thannalaI will sing on my own accord
Female
Shenbagamae shenbagamaeOh Shenbagam, oh Shenbagam
Thenpodhigai sandhanamaeFragrant like the sandalwood of Thenpodhigai
Female
{Moonampiraiyai polaLike the third-day crescent moon
Kaanum neththi pottodaWith the beautiful bindi on your forehead
Naanum kalandhirukkaFor me to blend into one with you
Venum indha pattoda} (2)I need to be with this song
Female
Karuthadhu megamDid the darkened raincloud
ThalaimudithaanoBecome your soft, flowing hair?
Izhuthadhu ennaWhat pulled me toward you,
PoovizhithaanoWas it your flower-like eyes?
Female
Elluppoo rasi pathiTalking endlessly about
Pesi pesi theeradhuThe sweetness and essence of love
Male
Un pattukaaran pattuThe song of your musician lover
Unna vittu pogaadhuWill never fade away from you
Male
Shenbagamae shenbagamaeOh Shenbagam, oh Shenbagam
Thenpodhigai sandhanamaeFragrant like the sandalwood of Thenpodhigai
Thedi varum en manamaeMy heart comes searching for you
Serndhirundhaa sammadhamaeIf we are united, it has my wholehearted consent
Male
Shenbagamae shenbagamaeOh Shenbagam, oh Shenbagam
Thenpodhigai sandhanamaeFragrant like the sandalwood of Thenpodhigai

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Shenbagamae is a deeply expressive romantic folk-classical song from the 1987 film Enga Ooru Pattukaran. The protagonist serenades his beloved, Shenbagam, comparing her purity and beauty to fragrant blossoms, sandalwood from the southern Podhigai hills, and natural wonders. He describes how her very presence calms his spirit and inspires him to sing, portraying love as a natural, unforced flow of harmony between two souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Pattu pattu poochi polae / Moonampiraiyai pola

Compares the vibrant beauty and innocence of the beloved to a colorful butterfly and her forehead with bindi to a crescent moon.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thenpodhigai sandhanamae

Directly compares the heroine to fragrant sandalwood from Thenpodhigai and a cherished flower garden.

Anaphora / Repetition (Edukku Thodar)

Thottu thottu naan parikka

Uses repeated words like 'Pattu pattu', 'Thottu thottu', 'Kaathu kaathu', and 'Pesi pesi' to add rhythmic emphasis and emotional intensity.

Rhetorical Question (Vina)

Karuthadhu megam thalaimudithaano

Poetic questioning attributing dark rainclouds to her hair and flower-like eyes as the magnetic force drawing him in.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and rendered famously by singer Mano (as well as S. Janaki in a female version), this song became an enduring classic in Tamil cinema. Set in a sweet melody incorporating raga elements like Sunadhavinodhini, it remains one of Gangai Amaran's most cherished lyric compositions.

Keep listening

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