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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Ethilae

From Parakkum Paavai · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Parakkum Paavai1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………..
Female
Sugam edhilae idhayathilaaWhere is pleasure found? Is it in the heart,
Ponnaana kannamaaO golden Kannama?
Suvai edhilae madhurasamaaWhere is sweetness found? Is it in sweet nectar,
Kannaadi kinnamaaOr in a glass goblet?
Female
Angae irandu kangalThere, two eyes
Sollum orae mozhiSpeak the same language.
Male
Ingae mayangum nenjamHere, the enchanted heart
Sellum orae vazhiGoes down a single path.
Chorus
……………………..
Male
Aasai undaaga kaaranam yaaroWho is the reason for desire to arise?
Azhagaana pengaloIs it beautiful women?
Female
Azhagaana pennai aribavar yaaroWho is it that understands a beautiful woman?
Theriyaadha aangalaaIs it unknown men?
Male
Pennae un paarvai pesum podhuO maiden, when your glance speaks,
Sollaadha poi illaiyaeIs there any lie left unsaid?
Female
Poiyodu vandha poovaiyin kangalThe eyes of the maiden who came with deceit,
Sellaadha nenjillaiyaeAre there any hearts they cannot penetrate?
Male
Kannil vizhundha kangalThe eyes that fell into other eyes
Sollum orae mozhiSpeak the same language.
Male
Nenjil vizhundha nenjamThe heart that fell into another heart
Sellum orae vazhiGoes down a single path.
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaalSeeing women strolling in front,
Munivarum maaruvaarEven sages would transform.
Female
Pinnae ulaavum aangalai pengalWomen will even change the true colors
Niram kooda maattruvaarOf the men who follow behind them.
Male
Pattaadai maattrum paavaiyin maeniThe maiden's body changing silk attire,
Ennenna vannangaloOh, what myriad colors it holds!
Female
Adhu illaadha podhu yengum podhuWhen it is absent, when longing sets in,
Ennenna thunbangaloOh, what infinite sorrows arise!
Nenjam mayangum inbamThe joy that swoons the heart
Sollum orae mozhiSpeaks the same language.
Chorus
…………………………………

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sugam Edhilae' is a playful romantic duet from the 1966 Tamil film 'Parakkum Paavai', penned by Kannadasan. The song explores the philosophical yet romantic nature of love, attraction, and human desire through a back-and-forth dialogue. It questions where true joy and sweetness lie—whether in physical beauty, alluring glances, or the deep emotional unison of two souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaal / Munivarum maaruvaar

Repetition of the initial 'Mu' sound in 'Munnae' and 'Munivarum' creates melodic rhythm.

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa)

Aasai undaaga kaaranam yaaro / Azhagaana pengalo

The lyricist uses playful questions to build a charming banter between the lovers.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaal / Munivarum maaruvaar

Exaggeration that even pious sages (munivar) would lose their composure upon seeing beautiful women.

Did you know?

Trivia

Parakkum Paavai (1966) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and J. Jayalalithaa. The film is set against a circus backdrop. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), and this song was performed by T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, and L. R. Eswari.

Keep listening

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