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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thuyilladha Penn Ondru

From Meenda Sorgam · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, A. M. Rajah
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Meenda Sorgam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps
Female :EngaeFemale: Where?
Male :IngaeMale: Here
Ennaalum thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps at any time
Female :EngaeFemale: Where?
Male :IngaeMale: Here
Ennaalum thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps at any time
Female
Azhagaana pazham polum kannamCheeks like a luscious fruit
Adhil thara vendum adaiyaala chinnamA mark of affection must be placed upon them
Male
Pon pondra udal meedhu modhumGazing upon that golden body
Indha kan thandha adaiyaalam podhumThis mark given by the eyes is enough
Indha kan thandha adaiyaalam podhumThis mark given by the eyes is enough
Thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps
Female :NaanaaFemale: Is it me?
Male :AamaamMale: Yes
Ennaalum thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps at any time
Female
Maalaikku noyaagi ponenI grew sick of the lonely dusk
Kaalai malarukku pagaiyaaga aanenI turned hostile towards the morning blossom
Male
Uravodu vilaiyaada ennumDesiring to play in sweet affection
Kangal urangaadhu urangaadhu kannaeThese eyes refuse to sleep, my dear
Kangal urangaadhu urangaadhu kannaeThese eyes refuse to sleep, my dear
Thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps
Female :YaaroFemale: Who could it be?
Male :Nee thaanMale: It is you
Ennaalum thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps at any time
Female
Manamaedai thanil maalai soodumAdorned with garlands on the marriage stage
Ungal mana maedai thanil aada vendumI wish to dance on the stage of your heart
Male
Nenjam pirar kaana mudiyaadha maedaiThe heart is a stage invisible to others
Adhil nadamaadi payanaedhum illaiThere is no purpose in dancing upon it
Adhil nadamaadi payanaedhum illaiThere is no purpose in dancing upon it
Thuyilaadha pennondru kandenI saw a woman who never sleeps
Female :OhoFemale: Oh!
Male :Ennaalum thuyilaadha pennondru kandenMale: I saw a woman who never sleeps at any time

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic duet where the male lover playfully teases his lady about a restless, sleepless woman, only to reveal that he is describing her. Through beautiful metaphors, he describes her beauty—her fruit-like cheeks and golden skin—and how longing keeps them both awake through night and day. The heroine responds by talking about love, marriage, and the hidden stage of the heart, resulting in a poetic exchange of deep romantic yearning and wit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Azhagaana pazham polum kannam

Compares cheeks to a beautiful fruit ('pazham polum kannam') and body to gold ('Pon pondra udal').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Nenjam pirar kaana mudiyaadha maedai

Compares the human heart/mind to a stage ('mana maedai' / 'Nenjam... maedai') where love plays out.

Contrast (Maranpattu)

Maalaikku noyaagi ponen / Kaalai malarukku pagaiyaaga aanen

Contrasts the evening (maalai) bringing sickness with the morning flower (kaalai malar) turning hostile, expressing the restless plight of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Meenda Sorgam (1960) featured music composed by T. Chalapathi Rao and starred Gemini Ganesan and Padmini. Kannadasan's lyrics in this film were celebrated for capturing subtle romantic banter with deep poetic flair.

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