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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unai Kandu Mayangadha

From Ashok Kumar · 1941

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
Alandur Sivasubramaniyam
Details
Ashok Kumar1941

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Male
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigarilYou who are peerless in physical beauty and noble character,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigarilYou who are peerless in physical beauty and noble character,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Male
Andarilae… andarilae nila mandalamelIn the sky... in the sky, above the realm of the moon,
Andarilae nila mandalamel paraIn the sky, above the realm of the moon, across the grand cosmos,
Endisai aadavar pendiril dhaevaaAmong men and women across all eight directions, Oh Lord,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Male
Dheerathilae dheerathilaeIn valor, in valor,
Uyar gambeerathilaeIn lofty grandeur,
Dheerathilae uyar gambeerathilaeIn valor, in lofty grandeur,
Kodai udhaarathilae nadai oiyaarathilaeIn generous charity, in stylish posture,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Male
Dhaanathilae dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilaeIn philanthropy, in philanthropy, in thoughtful speech,
Dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilaeIn philanthropy, in thoughtful speech,
Kalai gnjaanathilae sarasa gaanathil dhaevaaIn artistic wisdom, in charming musical melody, Oh Lord,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigarilYou who are peerless in physical beauty and noble character,
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundoAre there any people who do not swoon upon seeing you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song is a profound expression of devotion and admiration addressed to a lordly or divine figure. The singer asks a rhetorical question throughout the song: 'Is there anyone in this world or the heavens who would not be captivated upon seeing you?' The lyrics systematically praise the subject's divine attributes, including physical beauty, matchless virtue, bravery, grandeur, generosity, graceful walk, prudence in speech, artistic wisdom, and melodious song. The praise spans both earthly realms across all eight cardinal directions and celestial spheres above the moon, emphasizing that the subject's splendor captivates all men and women everywhere.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo

The line 'Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo' is repeated systematically across stanzas to anchor the central theme of irresistible charm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Dheerathilae uyar gambeerathilae / Kodai udhaarathilae nadai oiyaarathilae

The suffix '-athilae' is used repetitively to construct a musical end rhyme across several descriptive lines.

Emona / Rhyme Scheme (Tamil Edugai)

Dhaanathilae dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilae

Matching second consonants across words ('Dhaanathilae' / 'nidhaanathilae') creates internal melodic harmony.

Hyperbole (Atisayokti)

Andarilae nila mandalamel para

Extending the hero's magnetic beauty up to the realm above the moon ('nila mandalamel') highlights his cosmic significance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song was rendered by the legendary Tamil cinema superstar and Carnatic singer M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) in the landmark 1941 film 'Ashok Kumar'. Composed in a classical Carnatic style based on Raga Behag, it remains one of the earliest iconic solos in Tamil cinema history, penned by the famed poet Udumalai Narayanakavi.

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