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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Kudhikkum En Maname

From Vishwa Thulasi · 2004

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Tippu, Sushma Shrestha
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Details
Vishwa Thulasi2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
En manamae en manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
En manamaeOh my heart
Thulli kudhikkum en manamaeMy heart that leaps and bounds
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Malarin manathaiyaa thendral kaatrin sugathaiyaaIs it the fragrance of a flower, or the soothing comfort of a gentle breeze?
Kannan tholil aada thudithidum andha thulasiyaiyaaIs it that sacred basil yearning to sway on Krishna's shoulder?
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Female
Thulli kudhikkum en manamaeMy heart that leaps and bounds
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Male
Haa… haa…Haa… haa…
Female
Engo ketkum un gaanamYour song heard from somewhere distant
Ennai thaanae varuthiyadhuHas tormented and yearned me indeed
Thoongaa ninaivil thodarndhu vandhumEven as it continuously followed me in sleepless memories
Engo ennai thurathiyadhuIt chased me somewhere far away
Male
Ennil surakkum isai ellaamAll the music that welling up within me
Unnaal thaanae vandhadhammaaCame into existence only because of you, dear
Vellam pola soozhndhu vandhuSurrounding me like a rising flood
Unnai ennai nanaithadhammaaIt drenched both you and me
Female
Ilamai kanavu indru varaiThe dream of youth until this day
Thodarndhu vandhadhaeHas continued to endure
Ithanai naal pirindhadhellaamAll the long days of separation
Marandhu ponadhaeHave now been forgotten
Male
Oru vaarthai indriyaeWithout needing a single word
Naam pesi kollalaamWe can speak to each other
Oru paarvai podhumaeJust one glance is enough
Naam vaazhndhu malaralaamFor us to live and blossom
Male
Veenai meettum viralgal ellaamAll the fingers strumming the veena
Ennai thaanae meettiyadhuWere actually strumming me
Thaenai endhan narambugalilWhy did it pour honey into my veins,
Oottaamal yen oottiyadhuAs if pouring without even trying?
Female
Kadalin karaiyil manal veliyilOn the seashore, upon the sandy expanse
Vaanam ennai vaattiyadhuThe sky withered and tormented me
Kanavaai nanavaai kaalam ellaamAs a dream and as reality, through all of time
Kalandhae ennai meettiyadhuIt blended together and strummed me
Male
Ila vayadhin ninaivu ellaamAll the memories of young age
MarappadhillaiyaeAre never ever forgotten
Valarndha pinnae marandha vanamThe forest forgotten after growing up
Maramum illaiyaeNo longer has any trees either
Female
Oru kaalam indriyaeWithout the bound of time
Nam payanam thodaralaamOur journey can continue
Inba naadha veliyilaeIn the vast expanse of blissful music
Naam nadandhu pogalaamWe can walk together
Male
Thulli kudhikkum en manamaeMy heart that leaps and bounds
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Malarin manathaiyaa thendral kaatrin sugathaiyaaIs it the fragrance of a flower, or the soothing comfort of a gentle breeze?
Kannan tholil aada thudithidum andha thulasiyaiyaaIs it that sacred basil yearning to sway on Krishna's shoulder?
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?
Female
Thulli kudhikkum en manamaeMy heart that leaps and bounds
Nee yaarai thaedi odugiraaiWho are you running in search of?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

En Manamae from Vishwa Thulasi (2004) is a deeply soulful and poetic composition that reflects on the restless searching of the human heart. The narrator addresses their bounding heart, questioning whether it seeks the subtle sweetness of a breeze, the scent of a flower, or the profound devotion symbolized by the Thulasi leaf resting on Lord Krishna's shoulder. The song explores how distant music and childhood memories drench the lovers' inner spirits, rendering years of painful separation instantly forgotten through silent understanding and shared glances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Thulli kudhikkum en manamae, nee yaarai thaedi odugiraai

The heart is personified as an active, leaping entity running around in search of love.

Allusion

Kannan tholil aada thudithidum andha thulasiyaiyaa

Refers to the sacred Thulasi plant yearning for Lord Krishna's shoulder, symbolizing divine and pure longing.

Simile

Vellam pola soozhndhu vandhu

Compares the flood of musical emotions surrounding and drenching the lovers to an overflowing water flood.

Metaphor

Veenai meettum viralgal ellaam ennai thaanae meettiyadhu

Compares the emotional impact of love to fingers strumming the stringed instrument Veena upon the narrator's own body and soul.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vishwa Thulasi (2004), starring Mammootty and Nandita Das, featured a soundtrack composed jointly by M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. This marked a historic and rare collaboration between the two legendary music directors of Tamil cinema, with Ilaiyaraaja contributing lyrics as well.

Keep listening

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