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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yengengo Sila Manigal

From Sonnathai Seiven · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Sonnathai Seiven
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
1 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Engengo sila manigal
Ingaeyum oru manithan
Engengo sila manigal
Ingaeyum oru manithan
Ulagil idhu thanipaathai
Unmai idam mariyaathai
Ulagil idhu thanipaathai
Unmai idam mariyaathai
Uyarntha idaththil pirantha ullangal
Engengo sila manigal
Ingaeyum oru manithan
Kallukku maalaiyitta nenjam
Kanneerai thudaikkindrathu
Kallukku maalaiyitta nenjam
Kanneerai thudaikkindrathu
Kagitha odamum vaazhgindrathu
Kagitha odamum vaazhgindrathu
Karunaiyil uruvaana megam idhu
Engengo sila manigal
Ingaeyum oru manithan
Kadavulukku malar maalai
Kalvanukku mana maalai
Kadavulukku malar maalai
Kalvanukku mana maalai
Irandu niraththil nanaintha ullangal
Engengo sila manigal
Azhagodu vilaiyaadum karunaagangal
Ingu adhanodum vilaiyaadum sila raagangal
Azhagodu vilaiyaadum karunaagangal
Ingu adhanodum vilaiyaadum sila raagangal
Azhagaana pen thedum avamaanangal
Azhagaana pen thedum avamaanangal
Thannaiyariyaamal aval kattum abaraathangal
Sattam idhai yaettraalum dharmam idhai yaezhaathu
Sattam idhai yaettraalum dharmam idhai yaezhaathu
Vazhakkai eduththu vilakkam sollungal
Engengo sila manigal
Ingaeyum oru manithan
Ulagam idhai ariyaathu kalagam ingu nadakkaathu
Ulagam idhai ariyaathu kalagam ingu nadakkaathu
Arinthu purinthu inaintha ullangal
Engengo sila manigal
Nizhal kooda sila neram karunaagamthaan
Silar vizhi modhi vilaiyaada suga raagamthaan
Nizhal kooda sila neram karunaagamthaan
Silar vizhi modhi vilaiyaada suga raagamthaan
Aval maanam silar kannil avamaanamthaan
Aval maanam silar kannil avamaanamthaan
Avathooru purivorkku abaraathamthaan
Dharmam idhai maruthaalum
Deivam idhai marukkaathu
Dharmam idhai maruthaalum
Deivam idhai marukkaathu
Arinthu purintha inaintha ullangal
Engengo sila manigal
Female :Ingaeyum oru manithan
Male :Ulagil idhu thanipaathai
Unmai idam mariyaathai
Ulagil idhu thanipaathai
Unmai idam mariyaathai
Female :Uyarntha idaththil pirantha ullangal
Engengo sila manigal…..
Rare gems shine in faraway places,
and here too stands a true human being.
Rare gems shine in faraway places,
and here too stands a true human being.
In this world, this is a unique path,
where truth earns genuine respect.
In this world, this is a unique path,
where truth earns genuine respect.
Noble hearts born into high standing.
Rare gems shine in faraway places,
and here too stands a true human being.
The heart that garlanded a stone
is wiping away the tears.
The heart that garlanded a stone
is wiping away the tears.
Even a paper boat survives and sails,
even a paper boat survives and sails.
This is a cloud made of pure compassion.
Rare gems shine in faraway places,
and here too stands a true human being.
A flower garland for God,
a wedding garland for a thief.
A flower garland for God,
a wedding garland for a thief.
Hearts drenched in two different colors.
Rare gems shine in faraway places.
Black cobras playing with beauty,
and here, some melodies play along with them.
Black cobras playing with beauty,
and here, some melodies play along with them.
The humiliations a beautiful woman invites,
the humiliations a beautiful woman invites,
and the penalties she unknowingly pays.
Even if the law accepts this, righteousness will not allow it,
even if the law accepts this, righteousness will not allow it.
Take up the case and explain the truth.
Rare gems shine in faraway places,
and here too stands a true human being.
The world will not know this, no trouble will arise here,
the world will not know this, no trouble will arise here.
Hearts united by knowing and understanding.
Rare gems shine in faraway places.
Even a shadow can sometimes be a black cobra,
yet when eyes meet and play, it is a sweet melody.
Even a shadow can sometimes be a black cobra,
yet when eyes meet and play, it is a sweet melody.
In some people's eyes, her honor is seen as shame,
in some people's eyes, her honor is seen as shame.
A penalty awaits those who slander.
Even if worldly morality denies this,
God will never reject it.
Even if worldly morality denies this,
God will never reject it.
Hearts united by knowing and understanding each other.
Rare gems shine in faraway places.
Female: And here too stands a true human being.
Male: In this world, this is a unique path,
where truth earns genuine respect.
In this world, this is a unique path,
where truth earns genuine respect.
Female: Noble hearts born into high standing.
Rare gems shine in faraway places...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Engengo Sila Manigal' from the 1977 movie 'Sonnathai Seiven' is a philosophical and emotionally poignant composition penned by Kannadasan. It reflects on moral dilemmas, noble human hearts, societal hypocrisies, and divine justice versus human laws. Through vivid metaphors like gems, black cobras, and paper boats, the lyrics explore how noble souls navigate slander, suffering, and moral gray areas with dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Engengo sila manigal

Noble human beings are metaphorically referred to as 'manigal' (gems).

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Kadavulukku malar maalai / Kalvanukku mana maalai

The initial letter 'Ka' repeats in 'Kadavulukku' and 'Kalvanukku'.

Contrast / Anthesis (Muran)

Kadavulukku malar maalai / Kalvanukku mana maalai

Contrasts a sacred flower garland for God with a wedding garland given to a thief.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

Dharmam idhai maruthaalum / Deivam idhai marukkaathu

The lines rhyme with similar clause endings highlighting contrasting societal and divine rules.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kavinar Kannadasan, this classic track features a multi-singer dynamic showcasing S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam, and P. Susheela, delivering a rich philosophical reflection quintessential to Kannadasan's 1970s songwriting style.

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