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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silai Edutthan Oru

From Server Sundaram (1964) · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Server Sundaram (1964)1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Chorus :Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaaChorus: Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa
Female
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Aadai koduthaan aval udalinilaeHe adorned garments upon her body
Aada vittaan indha kadalinilaeHe made her sway beside this sea
Female
Aadai koduthaan aval udalinilaeHe adorned garments upon her body
Aada vittaan indha kadalinilaeHe made her sway beside this sea
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Chorus
………………………..
Female
Kattazhagu vaalibar thottupaarkaHandsome young men touch and admire her
Kavingargal thamizhaal thattipaarkaPoets examine her through their Tamil poetry
Female
Kattazhagu vaalibar thottupaarkaHandsome young men touch and admire her
Kavingargal thamizhaal thattipaarkaPoets examine her through their Tamil poetry
Pottuvaitha poovaiyar pottipodaAdorned women wearing bindis compete with her beauty
Pollaadha paruvathai kallaakiyaeBy turning wild, youthful charm into eternal stone
Female
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Chorus
………………………..
Female
Padaikonda pallavan aakivaithaanThe powerful Pallava king with his mighty army crafted her
Paruvathin saarathai thekkivaithaanHe captured and preserved the essence of youth within her
Female
Kannipennai thaerinil thookivaithaanHe placed the young maiden atop a chariot of stone
Kaadhalai yen avan baakivaithaanWhy did he leave love alone as something remaining?
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Chorus
………………………..
Female
Annam ival vayadho padhinaaruShe is like a swan, her age forever sixteen
Aandugal poyina aarunooruSix hundred years have passed by since then
Innum ival mudhumai yeidhavillaiYet she has not attained old age at all
Ennadhaan ragasiyam theriyavillaiI do not know what secret lies behind this miracle
Female
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Aadai koduthaan aval udalinilaeHe adorned garments upon her body
Aada vittaan indha kadalinilaeHe made her sway beside this sea
Female
Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukkuHe carved a sculpture of a young girl
Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukkuHe gave artistic beauty to her colorful eyes
Lalala lalala lalala laalaalaaLalala lalala lalala laalaalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poetic tribute to the timeless stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) crafted during the Pallava dynasty. The narrator marvels at the craftsmanship of the ancient sculptor who transformed raw stone into the eternal beauty of a sixteen-year-old maiden standing by the shores of the ocean.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Silai eduthaan oru chinnapennukku / Kalai koduthaan aval vannakannukku

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Silai' and 'Kalai', or 'Aadai' and 'Aada'.

Monaai (Initial letter/sound rhyming)

Padaikonda pallavan aakivaithaan

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the same line, such as 'Padaikonda' and 'Paruvathin'.

Hyperbole (Uruvagaimai / Uyarthu Navirtchi)

Aandugal poyina aarunooru / Innum ival mudhumai yeidhavillai

Exaggerating the timeless beauty of the sculpture which remains sixteen years old even after six centuries.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela, this song from Server Sundaram (1964) beautifully describes the stone sculptures of Mahabalipuram, showcasing Kannadasan's deep appreciation for Tamil history and temple architecture.

Keep listening

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