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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Enge Sollava

From Anubavam Puthumai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anubavam Puthumai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Ilamangai kannukkullaeInside the eyes of a young maiden.
Male
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Female
Kavithai engae kaaviyam engaeWhere is poetry? Where is the grand epic?
Kavithai engae kaaviyam engaeWhere is poetry? Where is the grand epic?
Kadhalar munnae aayiram ingaeBefore lovers, there are thousands here.
Kadhalar munnae aayiram ingaeBefore lovers, there are thousands here.
Female
Kandavarellaam ullathu polaeNo one who has seen it has ever spoken of it
SonnavarillaiExactly as it truly is.
Female
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Paruvaththin kannukkullaeInside the eyes of youthfulness.
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Paruvaththin kannukkullaeInside the eyes of youthfulness.
Male
Kelvikku nerae pathil kidaiyaathuThere is no direct answer to the question.
Ketkkavum koodaathu kelviyil adangaathuOne shouldn't even ask, for it cannot be contained in a question.
Kelvikku nerae pathil kidaiyaathuThere is no direct answer to the question.
Ketkkavum koodaathu kelviyil adangaathuOne shouldn't even ask, for it cannot be contained in a question.
Female
Kinnaththai kettaalIf you ask the wine goblet,
Madhurasam tharumoWill it grant you sweet nectar?
Kannaththai kettaal kanirasam varumoIf you ask the cheek, will fruit sweet juice flow?
Male
Ketkkum munnaalae tharuvathu kadhalLove is that which gives before even being asked.
Ketkum munnaalae tharuvathu kadhalLove is that which gives before even being asked.
Kettavarellaam ullathuNo one who has seen it has found it
Polae kandavarillaiTo be just as they had heard.
Male
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Ilamangai kannukkullaeInside the eyes of a young maiden.
Female
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Paruvaththin kannukkullaeInside the eyes of youthfulness.
Female
Ezhuthiya kadhal ilakkiyamellaamAll the romantic literature ever written,
Nadaimuraiyaagaathu nadakkavum mudiyaathuCannot be put into practice, nor can it happen that way.
Male :Solvathu inimai anupavam pudhumaiMale: Speaking of it is sweet, but the experience is entirely new.
Sollukku melae tharuvathu thanimaiWhat solitude bestows is far beyond mere words.
Female
Vaazhvathai sollaTo describe living it,
Vaarththaigal illaiThere are no words available.
Vaazhvathai sollaTo describe living it,
Vaarththaigal illaiThere are no words available.
Sonnavarellaam sonnathuNo one who has seen it has found it
Polae kandavarillaiTo be just as everyone described.
Female
Sugam engae sollavaaShall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Paruvaththin kannukkullaeInside the eyes of youthfulness.
Male :Sugam engae sollavaaMale: Shall I tell you where pleasure resides?
Ilamangai kannukkullaeInside the eyes of a young maiden.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Anubavam Puthumai is a classic romantic duets where the lovers contemplate the nature of love, passion, and true pleasure. The song highlights that romantic joy cannot be captured by mere words, written literature, or traditional epic poetry. True love gives spontaneously before demands or questions arise, making the lived experience an ever-fresh, novel reality that far surpasses verbal descriptions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Anaphora / Rhyme scheme)

Kelvikku nerae pathil kidaiyaathu / Ketkkavum koodaathu

Matching sound at the beginning of words across consecutive lines, such as 'Kelvikku' and 'Ketkkavum'.

Edhugai (Second letter agreement)

Kinnaththai kettaal / Kannaththai kettaal

Consonance of the second letter across paired lines, such as 'Kinnaththai' and 'Kannaththai'.

Rhetorical Question & Metaphor

Kinnaththai kettaal Madhurasam tharumo / Kannaththai kettaal kanirasam varumo

Using questions regarding chalices and fruit nectar metaphorically to signify the spontaneous, unasked nature of romantic bliss.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this iconic duet features a playful conversational exchange rendered exquisitely by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. It remains famous for its memorable rhythm, seductive melody, and philosophical take on love transcending literature.

Keep listening

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