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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arai Koduthal Theriyum

From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ilaya Thalaimurai1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arai koduththaal theriyumIf a slap is given, you will know
Oru arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamennaWhat his modesty is, what his conduct is
Mayakkamenna magimai ennaWhat his spell is, what his greatness is
Orr arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Male
Oru arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamennaWhat his modesty is, what his conduct is
Mayakkamenna magimai ennaWhat his spell is, what his greatness is
Orr arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Female
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irnthaalIf that room were a bedroom
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irunthaalIf that room were a bedroom
Intha arai kooda angu inbam tharumaeEven this slap would bring pleasure there
Naan enna sonnaal aadavarukku kobam varumoWhat can I say to make men angry?
Naan enna sonnaal aadavarukku kobam varumoWhat can I say to make men angry?
Adhai sonnean iniyaavathu mogam varumoI said that; will infatuation at least arise now?
Male
Ilamaiyil chandhiranLike the moon in youthfulness
Valimaiyil archunanLike Arjuna in strength
Vaalibam enbathu kelviyilYouth is something that through mere questions...
Maaththiram puriyaathammaa...cannot be understood, my dear lady!
Male
Oru arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamennaWhat his modesty is, what his conduct is
Mayakkamenna magimai ennaWhat his spell is, what his greatness is
Orr arai koduththaal theriyumIf one slap is given, you will know
Female
Naanam unduI possess modesty
Achcham undu paavai enakkuI, a maiden, possess fear
Naanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukkuWhat asks shamelessly is a madness called love
Nanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukkuWhat asks shamelessly is a madness called love
Naanam unduI possess modesty
Achcham undu paavai enakkuI, a maiden, possess fear
Naanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukkuWhat asks shamelessly is a madness called love
Nanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukkuWhat asks shamelessly is a madness called love
Male
Naan alli magal polirukkaa aasai kondaenI desired to be like Princess Alli
Adhanaalae archunanukku kobam koduththaenThat is why I provoked anger in Arjuna
Male
Idhuvarai pothumaa manavarai vendumaaIs this enough for now, or do you need the wedding dais?
Innoru arai unduThere is another room / slap
Ennathu enbathai naan sollavaaShall I tell what is mine?
Naan sollavaa naan sollavaa sollavaaShall I tell, shall I tell, shall I tell?
Male
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irunthaalIf that room were a bedroom
Vanthavarai inbamendru vaangi kollumaeIt will accept whoever comes as bliss
Orr udalundu kaaviyaththilThere is a body described in epic literature
Nee athai kondaaiYou possessed that
Idhu koodalukku vaasamendru naan adhai kandaenI perceived it as fragrance meant for romantic union
Orr udalundu kaaviyaththilThere is a body described in epic literature
Nee athai kondaaiYou possessed that
Idhu koodalukku vaasamendru naan adhai kandaenI perceived it as fragrance meant for romantic union
Female
Aa……aah….haa….aa….Melodic vocalizing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a clever verbal duel between lovers, anchored by lyricist Kannadasan's double- entendre on the word 'Arai', which in Tamil means both a 'slap' and a 'room'. The female lead playfully challenges her lover's true nature and composure, suggesting that either a gentle slap or step inside a private room will reveal his true virtues and romantic desire. The male lead responds by referencing classical mythologies, comparing himself to Arjuna and comparing her playfulness to Princess Alli Rani. As the song progresses, the teasing transforms into romantic acceptance, blending classical Tamil virtues (Naanam and Achcham) with passionate longing for marital union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sledai / Pun (Double Entendre)

Oru arai koduththaal theriyum

The word 'Arai' is brilliantly used throughout the song with two distinct meanings: 'Arai' as a slap/blow and 'Arai' as a chamber/room (such as 'Palliyarai' or bedroom).

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamenna / Mayakkamenna magimai enna

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'da' across consecutive lines (adakkamenna / mayakkamenna).

Mythological Allusion (Purana References)

Naan alli magal polirukkaa aasai kondaen / Adhanaalae archunanukku kobam koduththaen

Allusions to Mahabharata characters Arjuna ('Archunan') and the legendary South Indian queen 'Alli Magal' (Alli Rani) to frame their romantic rivalry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan's use of 'Arai' in this song is celebrated as one of the finest examples of 'Sledai' (pun/double entendre) in Tamil cinema lyricism, seamlessly shifting from playful physical teasing to intimate romantic metaphors without crossing into explicit vulgarity.

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