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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thangam Pongum Meni

From Tenali Raman · 1956

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
R. Balasaraswathy
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Tenali Raman1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo o o o o hoo o oVocalizing melody
Female
Thangam pongum maeniThis body overflowing like pure gold,
Undhan sondham iniIs yours forever from now on.
Thaarani kaanadha thaenaaru kaanbomWe shall witness a river of honey unseen by the world.
ThangamMy golden one.
Female
Kaaviyakalai pesum maadhu varum bodhuWhen the woman who speaks of poetic arts arrives,
Varum bodhu varum bodhuWhen she arrives, when she arrives,
Inbaloga ennang koori ezhil migumExpressing heavenly thoughts, full of rich grace,
Singaara sangeetha suvai tharum valamighuYielding the rich taste of romantic musical harmony,
Kaaviyakalai pesum maadhu varum bodhuWhen the woman who speaks of poetic arts arrives,
Maruppavar kedaiyaadhuNo one can ever refuse her.
Female
Maamalar mullai malarndhadhu polaeLike the grand jasmine blooming in full glory,
Maamalar mullai malarndhadhu polaeLike the grand jasmine blooming in full glory,
Magizhndhu unnai naadum annamThe swan-like maiden joyfully seeks you out,
Koorum vannam kaelaaiListen to the melody she weaves!
Tharani kaanaadha thaenaaru kaanbomWe shall witness a river of honey unseen by the world.
Thaenaaru kaanbom..thaenaaru akanbooWe shall see the river of honey... river of honey.
ThangamMy golden one.
Female
Maandhalir manam veesum solaiIn the grove wafting the fragrance of tender mango leaves,
Haa…aa….aaa…haa…aa..Melodic vocalizing
Maandhalir manam veesum solaiIn the grove wafting the fragrance of tender mango leaves,
Andhi maalai…andhi maalaiDuring twilight evening... twilight evening,
Namakkoru sugavelai inithidum thirunaalaeIt is a sweet festive day giving us a time of bliss,
Namakkoru sugavelai inithidum thirunaalaeIt is a sweet festive day giving us a time of bliss,
Female
Aasaiyin ellai arindhavar illaiNo one has ever known the limits of desire,
Aasaiyin ellai arindhavar illaiNo one has ever known the limits of desire,
Arivom naanum neeyumTogether, you and I shall explore it,
Thaenum paalum saerum vannamJust like honey blends seamlessly with milk,
Tharani kaanaadha thaenaaru kaanbomWe shall witness a river of honey unseen by the world.
Thangam ..haaa…aaa..Golden one...
Thangam ..haaa…aaa..Golden one...
Thangam ..haaa…aaa..haa…aa….aa..Golden one...
Thangam pongum maeniThis body overflowing like pure gold,
Undhan sondham iniIs yours forever from now on.
Thaarani kaanadha thaenaaru kaanbomWe shall witness a river of honey unseen by the world.
Thangam…..Golden one...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is an intoxicating declaration of love and devotion. The heroine compares her golden complexion and beauty to overflowing pure gold, dedicating herself entirely to her beloved. She invites him to experience an unprecedented heavenly bliss, metaphorically described as a river of honey unseen by the world. Rich with classical literary imagery—blooming jasmines, swan-like grace, sweet mango groves at twilight, and the seamless blending of milk and honey—the song poetically portrays the boundless depth of romantic desire and absolute union of two souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama)

Maamalar mullai malarndhadhu polae

Compares the joyful emergence and blooming grace of the heroine to a jasmine flower opening its petals.

Metaphor (Roopaka)

Thaarani kaanadha thaenaaru kaanbom

Compares absolute romantic bliss to a river of honey that the world has never witnessed before.

Analogy (Upamana)

Thaenum paalum saerum vannam

Uses the seamless blending of milk and honey to represent the intimate physical and emotional union of lovers.

Emonai / Alliteration

Aasaiyin ellai arindhavar illai

Repetition of initial consonants or patterns across lyrical phrases (e.g., Aasaiyin / Arivom).

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1956 historical drama Tenali Raman (starring Sivaji Ganesan and N. T. Rama Rao), this classic composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy highlights Kannadasan's mastery of Sangam-style imagery. Vocalist R. Balasaraswathy Devi delivered a timeless performance infused with classical Carnatic nuances.

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