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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanil Muzhu Madhiyai

From Sivagami · 1960

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sivagami1960

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai polaeJust like the full moon in the sky
Mangai aval vadhanam kandenI saw that maiden's face
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai polaeJust like the full moon in the sky
Mangai aval vadhanam kanden aennn….I saw that maiden's face... why...
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Male
Kovai pazham kodiyil kandenI saw an ivy gourd fruit on the vine
Kudisai munnae pennai kandenI saw a woman in front of the hut
Kovai pazham kodiyil kandenI saw an ivy gourd fruit on the vine
Kudisai munnae pennai kandenI saw a woman in front of the hut
Kovai pazha nirathai polaeJust like the red color of the ivy gourd fruit
Kumari aval udhattai kandenI saw that young maiden's lips
Male
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Male
Solaiyilae thennai kandenI saw a coconut tree in the grove
Thottathilae pennai kandenI saw a woman in the garden
Solaiyilae thennai kandenI saw a coconut tree in the grove
Thottathilae pennai kandenI saw a woman in the garden
Solai thennampaalai polaeLike the coconut blossom of the grove
Thogai aval sirikka kandenI saw that peacock-like maiden smile
Male
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Male
Malai melae thaenai kandenI saw honey atop the mountain
Malaiadiyil pennai kandenI saw a woman at the foot of the mountain
Malai melae thaenai kandenI saw honey atop the mountain
Malaiadiyil pennai kandenI saw a woman at the foot of the mountain
Malaithaenin inippai polaeLike the sweetness of mountain honey
Maadhu aval pesa kandenI heard that woman speak
Male
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Male
Thookkam kannai sutha kandenI felt sleep overwhelm my eyes
Thoongum bodhu kanavu kandenAs I slept, I saw a dream
Thookkam kannai sutha kandenI felt sleep overwhelm my eyes
Thoongum bodhu kanavu kandenAs I slept, I saw a dream
Kanavilaeyum andha pennaeEven in that dream, that very woman
Kannedhirae nirkka kandenI saw standing right before my eyes
Male
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kandenI saw the full moon in the sky
Vanathiloru pennai kandenI saw a woman in the forest
Vaanil muzhu madhiyai polaeJust like the full moon in the sky
Mangai aval vadhanam kanden..aennn…I saw that maiden's face... why...
Hoo oo oo…Hoo oo oo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic composition from 'Sivagami' (1960) features the protagonist expressing his deep enchantment with a beloved maiden by drawing comparisons to the elements of nature. He compares her beautiful face to the full moon in the night sky, her vibrant red lips to ripe ivy gourds (kovai pazham), her radiant smile to delicate coconut blossoms, and her charming voice to sweet mountain honey. The song concludes on a poetic note where the protagonist describes how even as sleep takes over his eyes, the maiden remains present right before him in his dreams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

“Vaanil muzhu madhiyai polae / Mangai aval vadhanam kanden”

Uses explicit comparative words like 'polae' (like/as) to compare aspects of the woman's beauty to natural objects (full moon for face, ivy gourd for lips, honey for speech).

Epiphora / Antistrophe (Iyaibu)

“Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kanden / Vanathiloru pennai kanden”

The repetitive ending of lines with the word 'kanden' ('I saw'), establishing a rhythmic refrain and poetic structure throughout the song.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Vaanil muzhu madhiyai kanden / Vanathiloru pennai kanden”

Repetition of the initial letter sounds across words in adjacent lines (e.g., 'Vaanil' / 'Vanathiloru' or 'Solaiyilae' / 'Solai').

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Trivia

Composed by 'Mellisai Mannar' K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Ka. Mu. Sheriff, this track exemplifies traditional Tamil film song poetry where classical sangam-style poetic imagery (comparing feminine features to flowers, fruits, and moon) is smoothly integrated into popular cinema music.

Keep listening

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