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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Appadi Venuma Ippadi Venuma

From Seeman Petra Selvangal · 1962

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Seeman Petra Selvangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Eppadi venum annaachi annaachiHow do you want it, respected elder brother?
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Eppadi venum annaachi annaachiHow do you want it, respected elder brother?
Female
Manjal kulipavalaaIs she one who bathes in traditional turmeric?
Illai oru maavil kulipavalaaOr one who bathes in scented flour paste?
Manjal kulipavalaaIs she one who bathes in traditional turmeric?
Illai oru maavil kulipavalaaOr one who bathes in scented flour paste?
Anji nadappavalaaIs she one who walks with shy hesitation?
Kaiyai aatti nadappavalaaOr one who walks swinging her arms boldly?
Anji nadappavalaaIs she one who walks with shy hesitation?
Kaiyai aatti nadappavalaaOr one who walks swinging her arms boldly?
Female
Konji aruginil vandhu amarndhidumComing close with affection and sitting beside you,
Kola siru mayilaIs she a beautiful little peacock?
Illai aval veru oru kuyialaaOr is she a cuckoo bird of a different kind?
Female
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Eppadi venum annaachi annaachiHow do you want it, respected elder brother?
Female
Kungumam ittavalaaIs she one who wears sacred vermilion?
Tamil adhan kooda pirandhavalaaIs she someone born alongside the Tamil language?
Kungumam ittavalaaIs she one who wears sacred vermilion?
Tamil adhan kooda pirandhavalaaIs she someone born alongside the Tamil language?
Mangala poocharamaa illaiIs she an auspicious garland of fresh flowers,
Oru maavilai thoranamaOr a festive arch made of mango leaves?
Mangala poocharamaa illaiIs she an auspicious garland of fresh flowers,
Oru maavilai thoranamaOr a festive arch made of mango leaves?
Pongum kadal adhil thingal vizhundhidumLike the bright moon dipping into a surging sea,
Pon mayam aanavalaaIs she crafted entirely out of pure gold?
Illai oru pithalai pondravalaaOr is she merely like plain brass?
Female
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Eppadi venum annaachi annaachiHow do you want it, respected elder brother?
Appadi venuma ippadi venumaDo you want it like that, or like this?
Eppadi venum annaachi annaachiHow do you want it, respected elder brother?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and conversational Tamil song from 'Seeman Petra Selvangal' (1962) features a lively singer teasingly asking a man ('Annaachi') about his specific choices and expectations in a prospective bride. The lyrics present humorous and poetic dichotomies between different female archetypes—contrasting traditional virtues with modern flair, shy modesty with bold expression, and high elegance with humble simplicity. Through imaginative metaphors featuring turmeric baths, peacocks, flower garlands, pure gold, and simple brass, the song delightfully skewers the endless search for an ideal life partner with charming musical flair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Appadi venuma ippadi venuma / Eppadi venum annaachi annaachi / Manjal kulipavalaa / Illai oru maavil kulipavalaa / Anji nadappavalaa / Kaiyai aatti nadappavalaa / Konji aruginil vandhu amarndhidum / Kola siru mayila / Illai aval veru oru kuyialaa / Appadi venuma ippadi venuma / Eppadi venum annaachi annaachi / Kungumam ittavalaa / Tamil adhan kooda pirandhavalaa / Kungumam ittavalaa / Tamil adhan kooda pirandhavalaa / Mangala poocharamaa illai / Oru maavilai thoranama / Mangala poocharamaa illai / Oru maavilai thoranama / Pongum kadal adhil thingal vizhundhidum / Pon mayam aanavalaa / Illai oru pithalai pondravalaa / Appadi venuma ippadi venuma / Eppadi venum annaachi annaachi / Appadi venuma ippadi venuma / Eppadi venum annaachi annaachi

Antithesis (Muran)

Pon mayam aanavalaa / Illai oru pithalai pondravalaa

Simile and Imagery (Upamai)

Pongum kadal adhil thingal vizhundhidum

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Trivia

'Seeman Petra Selvangal' (1962) featured music by veteran composer T. R. Pappa and stars K. A. Thangavelu alongside S. S. Rajendran. Sung by P. Susheela, this song stands out as a rare, highly rhythmic folk-pop hybrid of its era that highlights her vocal versatility in delivering playful dialect and cadence.

Keep listening

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