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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unthan Mugil

From Paattaliyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
O. P. Nayyar
Details
Paattaliyin Sabatham1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hooo oo ooHooo oo oo
Undhan mugil surul enum un koondhalYour hair that is like a curl of clouds
Undhan mugil surul enum un koondhalYour hair that is like a curl of clouds
Hoo ooHoo oo
Undhan mugil surul enum un koondhalYour hair that is like a curl of clouds
Ho mugil surul enum un koondhalHo, your hair that is like a curl of clouds
Kann paarkka nenjae aadum mayilaaiAs the eyes watch, my heart dances like a peacock
Kann paarkka nenjae aadum mayilaai endhan mohanaAs the eyes watch, my heart dances like a peacock, my handsome Mohana
Male
En manam thullum kendai meenaeMy heart leaps like a kendai fish
En manam thullum kendai meenaeMy heart leaps like a kendai fish
Un kannin kathi vettum oyilaaiWith the graceful flair of your eyes cutting like a sword
Un kannin kathi vettum oyilaai endhan moginiWith the graceful flair of your eyes cutting like a sword, my enchantress Mohini
Male
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Unnai chandhiran pol en kann paarkkumMy eyes look upon you as if you were the moon
Unnai chandhiran pol en kann paarkkumMy eyes look upon you as if you were the moon
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Unnai chandhiran pol en kann paarkkumMy eyes look upon you as if you were the moon
Unnai chandhiran pol en kann paarkkumMy eyes look upon you as if you were the moon
Nee sannal pakkam kaana odivaaRun to the window so I can see you
Nee sannal pakkam kaana odivaa endhan mohiniRun to the window so I can see you, my enchantress Mohini
Female
Paarthaal siruvar ellam kaeli seiguvaarIf seen, all the young boys will mock us
Ho paarthaal siruvar ellam kaeli seiguvaarHo, if seen, all the young boys will mock us
Nilaavai mugil mooda oodudhaeIt runs like clouds covering the moon
Nilaavai mugil mooda oodudhae endhan mohanaIt runs like clouds covering the moon, my handsome Mohana
Male
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Neeyae odathae naagam enavaeDo not run away like a serpent yourself
Neeyae odathae naagam enavaeDo not run away like a serpent yourself
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Neeyae odathae naagam enavaeDo not run away like a serpent yourself
Neeyae odathae naagam enavaeDo not run away like a serpent yourself
Naan jodhiyaagi kondae solvenBecoming a shining light, I shall tell you
Naan jodhiyaagi kondae solven endhan mohiniBecoming a shining light, I shall tell you, my enchantress Mohini
Female
Engae sellinum manam un vasanthanWherever I go, my heart belongs to your spring
Engae sellinum manam un vasanthanWherever I go, my heart belongs to your spring
Kettidu neeyae unmaiyae solvenListen closely, I shall tell you the truth
Kettidu neeyae unmaiyae solven endhan mohanaListen closely, I shall tell you the truth, my handsome Mohana

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet captures playful exchanges and deep admiration between two lovers who affectionately address each other as 'Mohana' and 'Mohini'. The song uses rich nature imagery—comparing hair to dark clouds, the heart to a dancing peacock or a leaping fish, and a sharp gaze to a cutting sword—to articulate their intense visual and emotional fascination. Despite playful fears of societal teasing or bashfulness, both reaffirm their unwavering devotion and truthful affection for one another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Undhan mugil surul enum un koondhal

Compares dark curly hair directly to dense curls of rain clouds ('mugil surul').

Simile (Upamai)

Unnai chandhiran pol en kann paarkkum

Compares the lover's radiant face or presence to the moon ('chandhiran pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Un kannin kathi vettum oyilaai

Metaphorically equates the quick, sharp glances of the eyes to the swift cut of a sword ('kathi vettum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Paattaliyin Sabatham (1958) is the Tamil dubbed version of the legendary Hindi film Naya Daur (1957). This song is the Tamil adaptation of O. P. Nayyar's timeless superhit track 'Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri', originally sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle, adapted here with vocals by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela.

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