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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanna Tamizh

From Paavai Vilakku · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
C. S. Jayaraman, Sivaji Ganesan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paavai Vilakku1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Penn oruthi en edhiril vandhaalA woman came before me
Male :Penn oruthi en edhiril vandhaalMale: A woman came before me
Male :Tamil penn oruthi en edhiril vandhaalMale: A Tamil woman came before me
Male :Tamil penn oruthi en edhiril vandhaalMale: A Tamil woman came before me
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Male :Vanna tamil pennoruthiMale: A vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Male
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male :Kannasaivil kodi kodiMale: With a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male
{Vanna tamil pennoruthi{A vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaal} (2)Imaginative thoughts she gave me} (2)
Female
Haa…aa…aa…aaa..Haa...aa...aa...aaa..
Male
Azhagaiyellaam avalAll beauty itself, in her
Mugathil kanden…ye ye ye…Face I saw...ye ye ye...
Azhagaiyellaam avalAll beauty itself, in her
Mugathil kanden…Face I saw...
Vennilaavin azhagaiyellaamAll the beauty of the white moon
Aval mugathil kandenI saw in her face
Vizhi veechin minaalinaalBy the lightning spark of her gaze
Nilai thadumaari nindrenI stood shaken and spellbound
Vaelvizhi veechin minaalinaalBy the lightning spark of her spear-like glance
Nilai thadumaari nindrenI stood shaken and spellbound
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Male
Annam kooda avalidathilEven a swan comes to her
Vandhu nadai payilumTo learn how to walk gracefully
Female :Haa…aaa…aaaFemale: Haa...aaa...aaa
Male :Aadal kalai ilakanathaiMale: To learn the grammar of dance art
Ariya varum mayilumA peacock comes seeking knowledge
Female :Haa…aaa…aaaFemale: Haa...aaa...aaa
Male
Annam kooda avalidathilEven a swan comes to her
Vandhu nadai payilumTo learn how to walk gracefully
Aadal kalai ilakanathaiTo learn the grammar of dance art
Ariya varum mayilumA peacock comes seeking knowledge
Male
Innisaiyai paadam ketkaTo take lessons in sweet music
Enni varum kuyilumA cuckoo bird eagerly approaches
Female :Haa…aaa…aaaFemale: Haa...aaa...aaa
Male
Innisaiyai paadam ketkaTo take lessons in sweet music
Enni varum kuyilumA cuckoo bird eagerly approaches
Iyarkaiyellam aval kuralinAll of nature slumbers peacefully
Inimaiyilae thuyilumIn the sweetness of her melody
Iyarkaiyellam aval kuralinAll of nature slumbers peacefully
Inimaiyilae thuyilumIn the sweetness of her melody
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Male
Kannal mozhi…eeSpeaking sweet, honeyed words...
Pesi varum …mmmmShe comes speaking...mmmm
Kannal mozhi pesi varumSpeaking sweet, honeyed words
Kanniayrin thilagamThe crown jewel among maidens
Kannal mozhi pesi varumSpeaking sweet, honeyed words
Kanniayrin thilagamThe crown jewel among maidens
Kamalam en kamalam sengamalamLotus, my lotus, red lotus
Kamalam en kamalam sengamalamLotus, my lotus, red lotus
Female
Haaa…aa…aa…aa…Haaa...aa...aa...aa...
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me
Kannasaivil kodi kodiWith a glance of her eyes, millions of
Karpanai thandhaalImaginative thoughts she gave me
Male
Vanna tamil pennoruthiA vibrant Tamil woman
En edhiril vandhaalCame before me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Paavai Vilakku' (1960) celebrates the mesmerizing beauty and classical grace of a ideal Tamil woman. The protagonist expresses his complete fascination upon seeing her, declaring that her expressive eyes spark endless creative imagination and that all the serene brightness of the full moon resides in her countenance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Hyperbole)

Annam kooda avalidathil vandhu nadai payilum

Nature personified: swans learn grace from her walk, peacocks learn the rules of dance from her, and cuckoos seek music lessons from her voice.

Metaphor (Vaelvizhi)

Vaelvizhi veechin minaalinaal nilai thadumaari nindren

Comparing the sharpness and intensity of her eyes to a spear (Vael) that strikes like lightning.

Emona / Rhyme (Kannal mozhi)

Kannal mozhi pesi varum kanniayrin thilagam

Play on words comparing sweet speech to sugarcane / honey (Kannal).

Did you know?

Trivia

Paavai Vilakku is a 1960 Tamil film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki, directed by K. Somu, based on Akilan's popular novel of the same name. Music composed by K. V. Mahadevan remains iconic for its rich classical Tamil melodic flavor.

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