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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Thamarai Ondru

From Anbukkor Anni · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Anbukkor Anni1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga thamarai ondruA golden lotus
Karu vandugal adhile irnduWith two black beetles upon it
Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhuDances on seeing you and sings affectionately
Kaadhal bodhaiyae konduUnder the intoxication of love
Female
Thanga thamarai ondruA golden lotus
Karu vandugal adhile irnduWith two black beetles upon it
Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhuDances on seeing you and sings affectionately
Kaadhal bodhaiyae konduUnder the intoxication of love
Female
Engum un mugam vandhu thondriyaeWhy does your face appear everywhere
Yenga seivadhum yenoAnd make me long for you?
Anbum aasaiyum adhigamagaveAs love and desire grow deeper
Aadum nadagam thaanoIs this a dramatic play being acted out?
Female
Engum un mugam vandhu thondriyaeWhy does your face appear everywhere
Yenga seivadhum yenoAnd make me long for you?
Anbum aasaiyum adhigamagaveAs love and desire grow deeper
Aadum nadagam thaanoIs this a dramatic play being acted out?
Female
Inbamae odivaa inbamae odivaaOh joy, run to me! Oh joy, run to me!
Ennai polavae aadivaaCome and dance just like me!
Mangai naanum un sondhamaana pinAfter I, a maiden, have become yours
Innum thamadham yenoWhy is there still a delay?
Female
Thanga thamarai ondruA golden lotus
Karu vandugal adhile irnduWith two black beetles upon it
Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhuDances on seeing you and sings affectionately
Kaadhal bodhaiyae konduUnder the intoxication of love
Female
Naadi vandha jodi thannaiyaeDoes anyone ever cause the partner who came seeking them
Vaada seivadhum undoTo wither and suffer?
Modiyaagumoo nenjil aasaiyaiIs this pride and hesitation? Is it right
Moodi veippadhum nandroTo keep desire hidden in one's heart?
Female
Naadi vandha jodi thannaiyaeDoes anyone ever cause the partner who came seeking them
Vaada seivadhum undoTo wither and suffer?
Modiyaagumoo nenjil aasaiyaiIs this pride and hesitation? Is it right
Moodi veippadhum nandroTo keep desire hidden in one's heart?
Female
Eedilla venpura eedilla venpuraIncomparable white dove, incomparable white dove,
Inba mootidum pen puraA female dove that sparks joy,
Ingu naanum un anbu kootilaeHere, in your nest of love,
Panghu kolvadhum endroWhen will I get to share a place?
Female
Thanga thamarai ondruA golden lotus
Karu vandugal adhile irnduWith two black beetles upon it
Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhuDances on seeing you and sings affectionately
Kaadhal bodhaiyae konduUnder the intoxication of love
Female
Thanga thamarai ondruA golden lotus
Karu vandugal adhile irnduWith two black beetles upon it
Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhuDances on seeing you and sings affectionately
Kaadhal bodhaiyae konduUnder the intoxication of love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track from the 1960 movie 'Anbukkor Anni' expresses the heartfelt longing and affectionate plea of a young woman to her beloved. Utilizing classical Tamil poetic imagery, her face is likened to a golden lotus and her eyes to black beetles that dance in delight at the sight of her lover. Overwhelmed by love's intoxication, she asks why he lingers away and hesitates to join her in embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thanga thamarai ondru / Karu vandugal adhile irndu

The lyrics compare the maiden's face to a 'Thanga thamarai' (golden lotus) and her eyes/pupils to 'Karu vandugal' (black beetles), a classic Tamil literary metaphor.

Personification

Unai kandu aadudhu konji paadudhu / Kaadhal bodhaiyae kondu

Attributing human emotions and actions like singing affectionately and dancing under intoxication to the lotus and beetles.

Alliteration (Monai)

Modiyaagumoo nenjil aasaiyai / Moodi veippadhum nandro

Repetition of initial consonants ('Mo') enhancing the rhythmic melody of the verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by popular singer-turned-music director A. M. Rajah with lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi, this song showcases P. Susheela's early career playback mastery. The classical metaphors of comparing eyes to beetles and face to lotus draw heavily from Sangam Tamil romantic poetry traditions.

Keep listening

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