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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aaya Onnu

From Ninaivirukkum Varai · 1999

Lyricist
K. Subash
Singers
Krishnaraj, Prabhudeva, Vivek
Music director
Deva
Details
Ninaivirukkum Varai1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aayaa onnu adampidikkithuAn old grandmother is throwing a stubborn tantrum
Quarter paayaa onnu venum ketkkuthuShe demands a quarter-sized mat to lie down
Chorus
KetkkuthuShe is demanding
Male
Thaaththaa onnu thaalam poduthuAn old grandfather is tapping along to the rhythm
Chorus
ThariginathomThariginathom (rhythmic musical beat)
Male
Perusu thallaadaama thulli aaduthuThe old man jumps and dances without staggering
Chorus
AaduthuHe is dancing
Male
Akka onnu akka onnuAn elder sister, an elder sister
Akka onnu nekkaa paakkuthuAn elder sister looks slyly with charm
Color sokkaavoda sokkaa suththuthuShe roams around comfortably wearing a colorful dress
Chorus
SuththuthuShe is roaming
Male
Thangachchi onnu thanni kaattuthuA younger sister is giving everyone a tough time
Adhu spinni mill-a vilaikku pesuthuShe is negotiating to purchase a spinning mill
Chorus
PesuthuShe is negotiating
Male
Anni onnu aattam poduthuA sister-in-law is making grand dance moves
Aattam podumpothe nottam poduthuEven while dancing, she keeps a close watch on everything
Chorus
PoduthuShe is watching
Male
Paappaa onnu paappaa onnuA young girl, a young girl
Paappaa onnu palapallakkuthuA young girl is glowing and glittering bright
Paappaa powder pottu pouse-sa kaattuthuPutting on face powder, the girl shows off her stylish pose
Chorus
KaattuthuShe is showing off
Chorus
Ellaarumae saernthu paaduvomLet us all come together and sing
Saernthu thaalaththoda asainji aaduvom aaduvomLet us sway and dance together in unison with the beat
Aayaa onnu aah aah aayaa onnuOne grandmother, ah ah, one grandmother
Adadaa aayaa onnu pallillaatha aayaa onnuOh my, one grandmother, a toothless grandmother
Kasakasaakasaa……Kasakasaakasaa... (playful rhythmic sound)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This light-hearted and upbeat folk dance track playfully portrays the unique quirks and humorous antics of various family members. It humorously describes a stubborn grandmother, an energetic grandfather dancing despite his old age, a stylish elder sister, an ambitious younger sister, an observant sister-in-law, and a trendy young girl dressing up. The track culminates in a joyous invitation for the entire family and audience to unite, sing, and dance to the celebratory rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyebu (End Rhyme / Trailing Refrain)

Ketkkuthu

Short single-word refrain lines like 'Ketkkuthu', 'Aaduthu', 'Suththuthu', 'Pesuthu', 'Poduthu', and 'Kaattuthu' create a rhythmic echo effect at the end of each description.

Internal Rhyme (Edhukai)

Aattam podumpothe nottam poduthu

The words 'Aattam' and 'nottam' rhyme on the second letter/sound, giving the phrase a catchy, natural lyrical flow.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Paappaa powder pottu pouse-sa kaattuthu

Repetition of the 'Pa' sound across 'Paappaa', 'palapallakkuthu', 'powder', and 'pouse-sa'.

Colloquial Tamil Idiom

Thangachchi onnu thanni kaattuthu

The phrase 'thanni kaattuthu' literally translates to 'showing water' but idiomatically means tricking someone or giving them a hard time.

Did you know?

Trivia

This energetic song is from the 1999 Prabhu Deva starrer 'Ninaivirukkum Varai'. The lyrics were written by K. Subash, who was primarily a prominent Tamil film director (famous for directing the hit movie 'Sathriyan') but occasionally wrote popular, fast-paced folk and dance lyrics.

Keep listening

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