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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalaana Aalillaiyo

From Muthal Iravu · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Muthal Iravu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aalaana aalillayoIs there no mature person around?
Azhagaana mugamillaiyoIs there no handsome face?
Female
Arumbaana meesaikkullaeBeneath the budding mustache,
Aasa vecha dhuraiyillaiyoIs there no gentleman on whom desire was placed?
Female
Aasa vecha dhuraiyillaiyo…Is there no gentleman on whom desire was placed?
Male
Aasa vachaen um maela thaanI have set my desires upon you,
Aada vandhaen unnoda naanI have come to dance with you.
Aasa vachaen um maela thaanI have set my desires upon you,
Aada vandhaen unnoda naanI have come to dance with you.
Saalakkaari sarasakkaariOh clever woman, romantic woman,
Aala paathu paadum singamA lion that sings observing the crowd.
Saalakkaari sarasakkaariOh clever woman, romantic woman,
Aala paathu paadum singamA lion that sings observing the crowd.
Female
Aiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaaAiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaa (folk rhythmic chant)
Kannaala paathaakkaa ennaa aiyaaWhat if you look at me with your eyes, sir?
Aiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaaAiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaa (folk rhythmic chant)
Kannaala paathaakkaa ennaa aiyaaWhat if you look at me with your eyes, sir?
Male
Thanda pottaen valaiyal pottaenI put on armlets, I put on bangles,
Alandhu vachaen dee ravukka thachaen deeI measured and stitched a blouse for you, girl!
Female
Moonja paaruLook at that face!
Male
Konda pottu kulungum sirukkiThe young woman swaying with her hair bun tied,
Engae porae dee enna paaraen deeWhere are you going, girl? Look at me, girl!
Female
Paathadhellaam podhum aiyaaEverything you have seen so far is enough, sir,
Pacha kudicha aalu aiyaaHe is a man who drinks raw liquor, sir.
Dhoraiya paaraen enna jokkuLook at this gentleman, what a joke!
Thottu paathaa kettaen naanaeIf I touch and check, I will be ruined!
Male
Aasa vachaen um maela thaanI have set my desires upon you,
Aada vandhaen unnoda naanI have come to dance with you.
Female
Saalakkaaraa sarasakkaaraaOh clever man, romantic man,
Aala paathu paadum singamA lion that sings observing the crowd.
Male
Sanda pottaa laabam illaFighting yields no profit,
Ice vaiyadiyo nice pannadiyoFlatter her with ice, treat her nice!
Katti pudidaa thatti kodudaaEmbrace her tightly, pat her back gently,
Maala korathiyadaa manasa thiruthikkadaaShe is a garlanded gypsy girl, change your mind!
Hae hehehaeHae hehehae (playful chant)
Female
Nalla buthi solludaappaaGive him good advice, man,
Naalum ketta aaludaappaaHe is a completely ruined man!
Avara paathaa ivarukkennaLooking at him, why does this man care?
Ponnu nenachaa viduvaalaaIf a girl decides, will she leave it?
Male
Adiyae…aasa vachaen um maela thaanHey girl... I have set my desires upon you,
Aada vandhaen unnoda naanI have come to dance with you.
Female
Jaalakkaaraa sarasakkaaraaOh trickster man, romantic man,
Aala paathu paadum singamA lion that sings observing the crowd.
Female
Vaanga saami valandha saamiCome on sir, prosperous sir,
Ingae onakkaachu pangu enakkaachuHere your share is done, my share is done!
Male
Adraa sakkaBeat it with flair!
Female
Alli podu alandhu poduScoop it up, measure and pour,
Thotti neranjaachu satti eduthaachuThe trough is full, the pot has been taken!
Male
Gettikkaara pondaatti neeYou are a clever wife,
Yettu paera yaemaathuvaeYou will fool eight people!
Nadatthu kannu korathi ponnuKeep it going, my dear gypsy girl,
Naala ivaru namma kittaTomorrow he will come to us!
Female
Haa aasa vachaen um maela thaanHaa, I have set my desires upon you,
Aada vandhaen unnoda naanI have come to dance with you.
Male
Saalakkaari sarasakkaariOh clever woman, romantic woman,
Aalap paathu paadum singamA lion that sings observing the crowd.
Female
Aiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaaAiyaalo aayaalo deeyaala deeyaa (folk rhythmic chant)
Kannaala paathaakkaa ennaa aiyaaWhat if you look at me with your eyes, sir?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aasa Vachaen Um Maela Thaan from Muthal Iravu (1979) is a vibrant Tamil folk duet highlighting flirtatious banter and theatrical exchange between street performers or gypsies. The song combines playful teasing, lighthearted arguments, and romantic overtures, capturing the spirit of traditional folk dance and street entertainment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Aasa vachaen um maela thaan / Aada vandhaen unnoda naan

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in adjacent lines ('Aasa' and 'Aada').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Saalakkaari sarasakkaari

Rhyming second letters across words ('Saalakkaari' and 'Sarasakkaari').

Anaphora (Repetition)

Aasa vachaen um maela thaan

Repetition of chorus lines for rhythmic folk structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

This energetic song features traditional Tamil folk rhythm patterns (Korathi/Gipsy style music composition) penned by Kannadasan, showcasing rich colloquial phrasing.

Keep listening

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