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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanna Malar Thannai Kandu

From Andhaman Kaidhi · 1952

Lyricist
Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthi
Singers
T. A. Mothi, P. Leela
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Andhaman Kaidhi1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ho…oo…Ho…oo…
Ho oo oo oo oo baalu…Ho oo oo oo oo Baalu…
Male
Ho…oo…Ho…oo…
Ho oo oo oo oo leelaa…Ho oo oo oo oo Leela…
Female
Vanna malar thannai kanduSeeing the colorful flower,
Innisai pan paadi konduSinging a sweet musical tune,
Thannai marandhae pon vanduForgetting itself, the golden beetle,
Enna solludhu…What is it saying?...
Vanna malar thannai kandu vanduThe beetle, seeing the colorful flower,
Male
Kanni undhan kannai kanduSeeing your eyes, maiden,
Than inam endrae marunduMistaking them for its own kind,
Than nilai marandhae vanduForgetting its own state, the beetle comes
Isai paadudhu..heyyAnd sings music.. hey!
Kanni undhan kannai kandu vanduThe beetle, seeing your eyes, maiden...
Female
Kaana vaedan polae vandhuComing like a forest hunter,
Kanni vaikka paarkkureerYou are trying to lay a trap.
Kaana vaedan polae vandhuComing like a forest hunter,
Kanni vaikkap paarkkureerYou are trying to lay a trap.
Male
Maanena marundodumRunning away in fear like a deer,
Pen maanaeOh female deer-like lady,
Maanena marundodumRunning away in fear like a deer,
Pen maanaeOh female deer-like lady,
Unnai naan vidaenaeI will not let you go!
Female
Maanidhuvum allavae poo maanaeThis is not a real deer, oh flower-like deer,
Mayangaadhae veenaeDo not be foolishly confused!
Maanidhuvum allavae poo maanaeThis is not a real deer, oh flower-like deer,
Male
Kovai idhazh thannai kanduSeeing those red ivy-gourd lips,
Aaval meeri vandhaeOverwhelmed with longing,
Kovai idhazh thannai kanduSeeing those red ivy-gourd lips,
Aaval meeri vandhaeOverwhelmed with longing,
Female
Kothi thinna pitthamDid a madness to peck and eat
Kondadhaeno kili polavaeTake hold of you like a parrot?
Kothi thinna pitthamDid a madness to peck and eat
Kondadhaeno kili polavaeTake hold of you like a parrot?
Male
Konji konji paesi endhanSpeaking sweet coaxing words, my
Nenjinai kavarndha inbaDelightful woman who stole my heart,
Vanjiyai mei kaadhal thandhaWho gave true love,
Vanna kiliyaeOh colorful parrot!
Konji konji paesum kiliyaeOh parrot speaking sweet coaxing words!
Female
Muzhu madhiyum mugilumLike the full moon and clouds,
Pol naam vilaiyaaduvomLet us play together,
Muzhu madhiyum mugilumLike the full moon and clouds,
Pol naam vilaiyaaduvomLet us play together,
Male
Vizhi maniyum imaiyum polaeLike the pupil of the eye and the eyelid,
UravaaduvomLet us bond and be intimate,
Vizhi maniyum imaiyum polaeLike the pupil of the eye and the eyelid,
UravaaduvomLet us bond and be intimate,
Female
Aaruyirae…ae…ae…Oh precious soul!...
Male
Aaramudhae…ae…ae…Oh rare nectar!...
Male
Aaramudhenavae kaadhalAs divine nectar, love's
Inbam kaanuvomPleasure we shall experience,
Aaramudhenavae kaadhalAs divine nectar, love's
Inbam kaanuvomPleasure we shall experience,
Female
Anbil inaindhondraaiUnited as one in love,
VaazhuvomWe shall live.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet uses rich nature metaphors to describe the playful romance between two lovers. The male and female characters tease each other using imagery of bees attracted to colorful flowers, a hunter setting traps for a gentle deer, and parrots seeking ripe fruit. As the song progresses, their playful back-and-forth deepens into a tender confession of love. They wish to remain inseparable like the full moon amidst clouds and as close as an eye and its protective eyelid, pledging to live forever united in pure love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Vizhi maniyum imaiyum polae

Compares the intimacy of the couple to the inseparable bond between the eye and eyelid ('Vizhi maniyum imaiyum polae') and the moon playing among clouds ('Muzhu madhiyum mugilum pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kovai idhazh thannai kandu

Metaphorically describes the heroine's red lips as the bright red ivy gourd fruit ('Kovai idhazh') and her character as a gentle deer ('Poo maanae').

Emonai (Second-letter Assonance)

Vanna malar thannai kandu

Rhyming pattern on the second letter across consecutive lines ('malar', 'nisai', 'nrai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Andhaman Kaidhi' (1952) was a notable early film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and P. S. Veerappa, adapted from a famous stage play written by P. Uthaman. The soundtrack was composed by G. Ramanathan and T. V. Raju, with lyricist Ku. Sa. Krishnamoorthi writing several evocative songs for the film.

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