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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Nilavil

From Thirumanam · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. M. Rajah, Jikki
Music directors
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Thirumanam
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
19 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanga nilavil kendai irandu
Thulli thirivathundo
Thulli thirivathundo
Thanga nilavil kendai irandu
Thulli thirivathundo
Thulli thirivathundo
Thaen pongi thadhumbum
Kovai kanigal
Punnagai seivathundo
Punnagai seivathundo
Thanga nilavil kendai irandu
Thulli thirivathundo
Thulli thirivathundo
Kanni azhagil ennam kalanthaal
Karpanai veedaagum…mmm….mm…
Karpanai veedaagum…
Kani punnagai seiyum
Vanna nilavil
Kendai vilaiyaadum
Kendai vilaiyaadum
Thanga nilavil kendai irandu
Thulli thirivathundo
Thulli thirivathundo
Aa…..aaa….aa…..aaa….
Female : Oo…..oo…..ooo….
Kaaviya jeevan sirpa vadivil
Kalanthu kaanum Azhagey
En sinthai inikka
Sevigal kulira
Senthamizh paadum anbe
Senthamizh paadum anbe
Maalaiyindri oru melamindri
Thendral manam mudithathu poovai
Sontham yaarumillaatha pothilum
Ithu yevvana ulagin thevai
Ithu yevvana ulagin thevai
Vaana veliyil gyaana rathangal
Vaavendru azhaikkuthu paaraai
Vaavendru azhaikkuthu paaraai
Kalai gyaana ulagai boomiyil inge
Kandidalaam nee vaaraai
Kandidalaam nee vaaraai
Do two fish in a golden moon
leap and dart about?
leap and dart about?
Do two fish in a golden moon
leap and dart about?
leap and dart about?
Overflowing with honey,
do sweet red lips
gently smile?
gently smile?
Do two fish in a golden moon
leap and dart about?
leap and dart about?
When thoughts blend with a young woman's beauty,
imagination builds a home... mmm... mm...
imagination builds a home...
The sweet fruit will smile,
and across that glowing moon,
the fish will play!
the fish will play!
Do two fish in a golden moon
leap and dart about?
leap and dart about?
Ah..... aah.... ah..... aah....
Female: Oh..... oh..... ooh....
The soul of poetry sculpted into form,
what a blended beauty to behold!
Sweetening my thoughts,
delighting my ears,
my beloved sings in pure Tamil!
my beloved sings in pure Tamil!
Without wedding garlands, without the beat of drums,
the gentle breeze wedded the flower!
Even without any kin by our side,
this is what the world of youth desires!
this is what the world of youth desires!
In the open expanse of the sky, chariots of wisdom
are calling us to come, just look!
are calling us to come, just look!
That world of art and wisdom, right here on earth,
we can see together, please come!
we can see together, please come!
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic romantic duet from 'Thirumanam' (1958) uses vivid classical Tamil poetic imagery to praise the lover's beauty. The maiden's face is metaphorically depicted as a golden moon, her eyes as lively Kendai fish darting across it, and her lips as sweet, ripe Kovai fruits. The song beautifully transitions into a contemplation of youthful love, art, and nature's quiet marriage between the breeze and the flower. It elevates earthly romantic devotion into a transcendent realm of imagination and wisdom. Penned by Poet Kannadasan, the song showcases classic Sangam-inspired metaphors in modern film composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thanga nilavil kendai irandu thulli thirivathundo

Comparing the eyes to Kendai (carp) fish swimming in the face compared to a golden moon.

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thaen pongi thadhumbum Kovai kanigal punnagai seivathundo

Comparing the red lips to sweet overflowing Kovai fruits smiling.

Personification

Maalaiyindri oru melamindri Thendral manam mudithathu poovai

Attributing the human act of marriage to nature (breeze marrying the flower without garlands or drums).

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1958 film Thirumanam starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Kannadasan.

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