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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Naagu En Rasakili

From Karumbu Vil · 1980

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Maharajan, Krishnamoorthy
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karumbu Vil1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adi naagu…..adi naaguHey Naagu... hey Naagu!
En rasakkili pudhu roja chediMy precious parrot, my fresh rose plant,
Pakkam vanthu nilladiCome and stand near me, my girl!
Naan katterumbu katti vellam neeI am a biting ant, and you are a block of jaggery!
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Kaattil pugunthu puli pudichenI entered the forest and caught a tiger,
Karadi kugaiyil eli pudichenI caught a rat inside a bear's cave!
Aattai kadichcha peru nariyaiThe big fox that bit the sheep,
Amukki pidichchu naan kadichenI pinned it down and bit it myself!
Male
Kombaanaiyai….velaalaeThe tusked elephant... with a spear,
Naan kuththi konnaenadiI stabbed and killed it, my girl!
Veeran naanthaandiI am the true brave hero!
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Adi naagu…..Hey Naagu...
En rasakkili pudhu roja chediMy precious parrot, my fresh rose plant,
Pakkam vanthu nilladiCome and stand near me, my girl!
Naan katterumbu katti vellam neeI am a biting ant, and you are a block of jaggery!
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Murungai maraththa muttiyilaeWith my knee, against the drumstick tree,
Modhi saaichcha muniyappan naanI am the fierce Muniyappan who knocked it down!
Kottai yaeri kudhichchirukkaenI have climbed over fort walls and jumped in,
Poottai udaichchu puguththirukkaenI have broken locks open and entered inside!
Male
Oorukkullae….aa….aa….aa…aa…In this town... ah... ah...
Oorukkullae en kooda kushththikkuIn this town, to wrestle against me,
Aal yaedhadi enakku eedaethadiWhere is anyone who can match me, girl?
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Adi naagu…..Hey Naagu...
En rasakkili pudhu roja chediMy precious parrot, my fresh rose plant,
Pakkam vanthu nilladiCome and stand near me, my girl!
Naan katterumbu katti vellam neeI am a biting ant, and you are a block of jaggery!
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Thedi vantha pendugalaThe women who came searching for me,
Thirumbikooda paarththathillaiI did not even turn around to look at them!
Aththa magalum enakkaagaMy uncle's daughter has been waiting,
Aaru varusham kaaththirukkaaWaiting for me for six whole years!
Male
Un aasaiyaal…aa…aa…Because of my desire for you... ah... ah...
Un aasaiyaal thoongaama yaekkaththilBecause of my desire for you, sleepless and yearning,
Melinjenadi urugi ponaenadiI became thin, my girl, and melted away!
Mayilae kuyilae maalaiya tharavaaMy peacock, my cuckoo, shall I give you a garland?
Male
Adi naagu…..Hey Naagu...
En rasakkili pudhu roja chediMy precious parrot, my fresh rose plant,
Pakkam vanthu nilladiCome and stand near me, my girl!
Naan katterumbu katti vellam neeI am a biting ant, and you are a block of jaggery!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic rural song from Karumbu Vil (1980) features a hero boastfully singing to his beloved, Naagu. He praises her beauty using sweet metaphors like a rose plant, a block of jaggery, a peacock, and a cuckoo. To woo her, he humorously hyperbolizes his physical bravery, claiming he has caught tigers, killed tusked elephants with spears, knocked down trees with his knees, and conquered all opponents in wrestling.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Naan katterumbu katti vellam nee

Compares himself to a biting ant attracted to her sweetness, metaphorically expressed as a block of jaggery.

Metaphor & Imagery

En rasakkili pudhu roja chedi / Mayilae kuyilae

Praising the heroine's grace and beauty by comparing her to a parrot, rose plant, peacock, and cuckoo.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Karadi kugaiyil eli pudichen / Aattai kadichcha peru nariyai amukki pidichchu naan kadichen

Exaggerated claims of heroics, such as catching a rat in a bear's cave and biting a fox to prove bravado.

Did you know?

Trivia

Karumbu Vil (1980) is an obscure Tamil drama film featuring music composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Muthulingam. The song showcases a rare folk duet arrangement featuring vocals from P. Jayachandran alongside Maharajan and Krishnamoorthi.

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