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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
Details
Sonnathai Seiven1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Ingaeyum oru manithanHere too, there is a true human being
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Ingaeyum oru manithanHere too, there is a true human being
Ulagil idhu thanipaathaiThis is a unique path in this world
Unmai idam mariyaathaiWhere truth and honor reside
Ulagil idhu thanipaathaiThis is a unique path in this world
Unmai idam mariyaathaiWhere truth and honor reside
Uyarntha idaththil pirantha ullangalHearts born in noble places
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Ingaeyum oru manithanHere too, there is a true human being
Male
Kallukku maalaiyitta nenjamThe heart that placed a garland on stone
Kanneerai thudaikkindrathuIs wiping away tears
Kallukku maalaiyitta nenjamThe heart that placed a garland on stone
Kanneerai thudaikkindrathuIs wiping away tears
Kagitha odamum vaazhgindrathuEven a fragile paper boat manages to survive
Kagitha odamum vaazhgindrathuEven a fragile paper boat manages to survive
Karunaiyil uruvaana megam idhuThis is a cloud formed out of pure compassion
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Ingaeyum oru manithanHere too, there is a true human being
Female
Kadavulukku malar maalaiA flower garland offered to God
Kalvanukku mana maalaiA wedding garland meant for a thief
Kadavulukku malar maalaiA flower garland offered to God
Kalvanukku mana maalaiA wedding garland meant for a thief
Irandu niraththil nanaintha ullangalHearts drenched in two contrasting shades
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Female
Azhagodu vilaiyaadum karunaagangalBlack cobras playing with beauty
Ingu adhanodum vilaiyaadum sila raagangalHere, a few melodies play alongside them
Azhagodu vilaiyaadum karunaagangalBlack cobras playing with beauty
Ingu adhanodum vilaiyaadum sila raagangalHere, a few melodies play alongside them
Azhagaana pen thedum avamaanangalDisgrace sought after by a beautiful woman
Azhagaana pen thedum avamaanangalDisgrace sought after by a beautiful woman
Thannaiyariyaamal aval kattum abaraathangalThe penalties she incurs without her own knowledge
Female
Sattam idhai yaettraalum dharmam idhai yaezhaathuEven if human law permits this, social justice will not accept it
Sattam idhai yaettraalum dharmam idhai yaezhaathuEven if human law permits this, social justice will not accept it
Vazhakkai eduththu vilakkam sollungalTake up the case and explain the truth clearly
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Ingaeyum oru manithanHere too, there is a true human being
Ulagam idhai ariyaathu kalagam ingu nadakkaathuThe world does not know this, no chaos will happen here
Ulagam idhai ariyaathu kalagam ingu nadakkaathuThe world does not know this, no chaos will happen here
Arinthu purinthu inaintha ullangalHearts that joined with complete understanding
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Female
Nizhal kooda sila neram karunaagamthaanAt times, even a shadow can turn into a black cobra
Silar vizhi modhi vilaiyaada suga raagamthaanA sweet melody created when eyes meet and clash
Nizhal kooda sila neram karunaagamthaanAt times, even a shadow can turn into a black cobra
Silar vizhi modhi vilaiyaada suga raagamthaanA sweet melody created when eyes meet and clash
Aval maanam silar kannil avamaanamthaanHer dignity is seen merely as dishonor in some eyes
Aval maanam silar kannil avamaanamthaanHer dignity is seen merely as dishonor in some eyes
Avathooru purivorkku abaraathamthaanIt is indeed a crime for those who spread slander
Female
Dharmam idhai maruthaalumEven if societal morals refuse to accept this
Deivam idhai marukkaathuThe Divine will never deny it
Dharmam idhai maruthaalumEven if societal morals refuse to accept this
Deivam idhai marukkaathuThe Divine will never deny it
Arinthu purintha inaintha ullangalHearts that joined with complete understanding
Male
Engengo sila manigalSomewhere there are a few precious gems
Female :Ingaeyum oru manithanFemale: Here too, there is a true human being
Male :Ulagil idhu thanipaathaiMale: This is a unique path in this world
Unmai idam mariyaathaiWhere truth and honor reside
Ulagil idhu thanipaathaiThis is a unique path in this world
Unmai idam mariyaathaiWhere truth and honor reside
Female :Uyarntha idaththil pirantha ullangalFemale: Hearts born in noble places
Male
Engengo sila manigal…..Somewhere there are a few precious gems...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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