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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aiyira Meenu

From Mappillai Gounder · 1997

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singers
Swarnalatha, Mano
Music director
Deva
Details
Mappillai Gounder1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Oru aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaAn Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Oru aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaAn Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Kalyaanaththa sollipputtaan nerulaHe spoke about marriage in person
Avan kalyaanaththa sollipputtaan nerulaHe spoke about marriage in person
Ennai kaippidikkaTo hold my hand in marriage
Kondaaruvaan therula oorulaHe will take me around the town in a procession
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Oru aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaAn Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Aalamaram arasamaramThe banyan tree and the sacred fig tree
Aththanaiyum saatchiAll of them are witnesses
Nee aduththa maasam paakka poraNext month you are going to see
Kalyaana kaatchiThe wedding spectacle
Male
Purr rangu dakkuttu thakku thakkuRhythmic folk beats
Purr rangu dakkuttu Tharigida tharigidathaamRhythmic folk beats
Female
Sela kattaa kuruvigalaaOh sparrows wearing sarees
Neenga kooda vaangaYou all come along too
Oru seer senaththi enakkaagaFor my sake, bring some ceremonial gifts
Eduththu vanthu thaangaBring them and give them to me
Male
Pottaa sivakkum pudhu veththalaFresh betel leaf turns red when chewed
En pondaatttu thottu thanthaa paththalaIt's not enough if my wife hands it to me
Naalthorum malligappoo manakkanumJasmine flowers should smell fragrant every day
Nee naalaavathu jaamaththilum muzhikkanumYou must stay awake even in the fourth watch of the night
Female
Adhukku yaeththikkattu irukkikkattuFor that, tie up tightly
Ettu mozha vettiyaYour eight-cubit dhoti
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Intha aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaThis Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Oru aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaAn Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Male
Hoi hoi hoi…Hoi hoi hoi...
Kottai katti aalugiraThe king of Coimbatore who rules after building a fort
Coimbatore rasaThe Courtallam rose mesmerized me completely
Ennai koodikkoodi mayakkiputtaaA drizzle is falling, sir
Kuththaala rosaaClose the window
Female
Saaral vanthu thooruthaiyyaaWe can happily perform
Jannal nee saaththuThe play of married life
Oru jaaliyaaga nadaththikkalaamHey fresh cashew nut grown like a pearl
Samsaara kooththuBeautiful woman who stirs up my mood
Male
Oii muththu velanja pudhu munthiriI came to win you over, beauty
En mooda kelappivim sundariI am a beauty who catches fire without even rubbing
Female
Onna madakka vantha vaappattiFrom now on, there will only be gasping kisses
Naan urasama paththikkidum sundariAnd the sound of bed legs creaking
Male
Ini kaachchu moochchu muththamthaanI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Kattil kaalu saththamthaanThis Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Intha aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaThis Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaHe spoke about marriage in person
Intha aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththulaHe spoke about marriage in person
Kalyaanaththa sollipputtaan nerulaTo hold my hand in marriage
Avan kalyaanaththa sollipputtaan nerulaHe will take me around the town in a procession
Ennai kaippidikkaI went to the river to catch small Ayira fish
Kondaaruvaan therula oorulaThis Aara fish got caught in the mud instead
Female
Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththulaHaei...
Intha aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththula
Male :Haei….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ayira Meenu Pudikka Ponaen' is a playful and upbeat Tamil folk-style duet composed by Deva for the 1997 film 'Mappillai Gounder'. Sung energetically by Swarnalatha and Mano, the lyrics by Kalidasan center around a playful romantic exchange between lovers anticipating their upcoming marriage and domestic life together. The opening metaphor of going to catch small fish (Ayira) but accidentally landing a much bigger catch (Aara) humorously signifies unexpected good luck in love and finding a grand life partner.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Ayira meenu pudikka ponaen aaththula / Oru aaraa meenu maattikkichchu saeththula

Comparing the unexpected fortune in love to going to catch small 'Ayira' fish and accidentally netting a large 'Aara' fish in the mud.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aalamaram arasamaram / Aththanaiyum saatchi

The second letter 'la' rhymes across lines in 'Aalamaram' and 'Aththanaiyum', creating a pleasing rhythm characteristic of Tamil poetry.

Personification

Sela kattaa kuruvigalaa / Neenga kooda vaanga

Addressing sparrows as if they were saree-clad human maidens invited to bring wedding gifts.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ini kaachchu moochchu mutthamthaan / Kattil kaalu saththamthaan

End-rhyming with 'saththamthaan' and 'mutthamthaan' to emphasize the playful mood of intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mappillai Gounder' featured music by Deva, known for his infectious Gaana and folk melodies in the late 1990s. The song showcases Swarnalatha's signature expressive vocal style alongside Mano's energetic rendition.

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