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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalapol Velapol

From Ejamaan · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ejamaan1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu polLike the Banyan tree, like the Neem tree, like deep banyan roots,
Maman nenjil naan irupenaeWill I remain in my beloved uncle's heart?
Naalapol rendapol naazhum pozhuthu polLike four twigs tied as two, like every passing moment,
Nanum angu nindrirupenaeI will stand firm right there.
Female
Bathil kelu adi kannammaa … aa aa aaahAsk for his reply, my dear Kannamma...
Nalla naazhu konjam sollamma ennamma kannamma hoiTell me a good auspicious day, what is it my Kannamma!
Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu polLike the Banyan tree, like the Neem tree, like deep banyan roots,
Maman nenjil naan irupenaeWill I remain in my beloved uncle's heart?
Chorus
Thumthum thumthum thumthum thumthumThumthum thumthum thumthum thumthum
Thumthum thumthum thumthum thumthum thumthum thumThumthum thumthum thumthum thumthum thumthum thum
Female
Em manasu mamanuku bathiramaa kondu selluCarry my heart safely to my beloved uncle,
Innum enna venumunnu utharavu poda cholluAsk him to command whatever else he desires.
Chorus
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh ohOh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Male
Kothu manjal thaan arachi nithamum neeraada cholluTell her to grind fresh turmeric bunches and bathe daily,
Meenakshi kungumatha nethiyila sooda cholluTell her to wear the vermilion of Goddess Meenakshi on her forehead.
Female
Sonnatha naanum kekuren sornamae anga poi kooriduI will listen to whatever he says, my golden friend, go tell him there,
Male
Anjala maala poduren annathin kaathula othiduI place an unseen garland of love, whisper it in the ear of that swan.
Female
Maman nenaputhaan maasa kanakilaeThe thoughts of my uncle have been persisting for months,
Paadaa paduthudhennaiyae puthu poovaa vedicha pennaiyaeTormenting me, a young girl who has bloomed like a fresh flower.
Male
Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu pol aasai nenjil naan irupenaeLike the Banyan tree, like the Neem tree, like deep banyan roots, I will reside in his loving heart.
Female
Naalapol rendapol naazhum pozhuthu pol naanum angu nindrirupenaeLike four twigs tied as two, like every passing moment, I will stand firm right there.
Male
Velangkuchi naan valaichu villu vandi senjithaarenI will bend a babool twig to make a toy cart for you,
Vandiyila vanji vanthaa valachi katti konja vaarenIf my young maiden arrives in that cart, I will embrace and caress her.
Female
Aalangkuchi naan valaichu pallakonnu senju thaarenI will bend a banyan branch to make a palanquin,
Pallakula maman vanthaa pagal mudinju konja varenIf my uncle arrives in that palanquin, I will come to caress him after dusk.
Male
Vattamaai kaayum vennila kolludhae kolludhae raathiriThe round full moon shines brightly, torturing me through the night,
Female
Kattilil podum paayumthaan kuthudhae kuthoosi maathiriEven the mat laid on the bed pricks me like a needle.
Male
Oorum orangatum osai adangatumLet the village sleep, let all sounds quiet down,
Kaathaa paranthu varuven puthu paataa padichi tharuvenI will fly like the wind and sing a new song for you.
Female
Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu polLike the Banyan tree, like the Neem tree, like deep banyan roots,
Maman nenjil naan irupenaeWill I remain in my beloved uncle's heart?
Naalapol rendapol naazhum pozhuthu polLike four twigs tied as two, like every passing moment,
Nanum angu nindrirupenaeI will stand firm right there.
Male
Bathil kelu adi kannammaa aa aa aahAsk for his reply, my dear Kannamma...
Nalla naazhu konjam sollamma ennamma kannamma hoiTell me a good auspicious day, what is it my Kannamma!
Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu polLike the Banyan tree, like the Neem tree, like deep banyan roots,
Aasai nenjil naan irupenaeI will reside in his loving heart.
Female
Naalapol rendapol naazhum pozhuthu polLike four twigs tied as two, like every passing moment,
Nanum angu nindrirupenaeI will stand firm right there.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aalapol Velapol is a classic rural romantic duet from the movie Ejamaan (1993). The song expresses the deep-rooted love and playful longing between a woman and her maternal uncle (a traditional marriage dynamic in Tamil culture). Using rich metaphors drawn from village life, nature, and traditional customs—such as banyan roots, turmeric baths, and handcrafted toy carts—the couple conveys their commitment and eagerness to wed.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Aalapol velapol aazham vizhuthu pol

Compares the strength and longevity of love to the deep prop roots of a banyan tree and the resilience of a neem tree.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aalapol velapol... / Naalapol rendapol...

The second consonant 'l' rhymes across 'Aalapol' and 'Naalapol', creating a rhythmic flow characteristic of Tamil poetry.

Hyperbole & Simile

Kattilil podum paayumthaan kuthudhae kuthoosi maathiri

Exaggerates the feeling of romantic loneliness at night by comparing a soft straw mat to sharp needles pricking the skin.

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Trivia

The song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyricist Vaali and rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra. The film Ejamaan, starring Rajinikanth and Meena, was a massive box-office success, and this track remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic village-themed romantic melodies.

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