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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
Movie name
Ilaya Thalaimurai
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
19 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Arai koduththaal theriyum
Oru arai koduththaal theriyum
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamenna
Mayakkamenna magimai enna
Orr arai koduththaal theriyum
Oru arai koduththaal theriyum
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamenna
Mayakkamenna magimai enna
Orr arai koduththaal theriyum
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irnthaal
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irunthaal
Intha arai kooda angu inbam tharumae
Naan enna sonnaal aadavarukku kobam varumo
Naan enna sonnaal aadavarukku kobam varumo
Adhai sonnean iniyaavathu mogam varumo
Ilamaiyil chandhiran
Valimaiyil archunan
Vaalibam enbathu kelviyil
Maaththiram puriyaathammaa
Oru arai koduththaal theriyum
Ivan adakkamenna pazhakkamenna
Mayakkamenna magimai enna
Orr arai koduththaal theriyum
Naanam undu
Achcham undu paavai enakku
Naanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukku
Nanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukku
Naanam undu
Achcham undu paavai enakku
Naanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukku
Nanamindri ketpathoru kadhal kirukku
Naan alli magal polirukkaa aasai kondaen
Adhanaalae archunanukku kobam koduththaen
Idhuvarai pothumaa manavarai vendumaa
Innoru arai undu
Ennathu enbathai naan sollavaa
Naan sollavaa naan sollavaa sollavaa
Antha arai palliyaraiyaaga irunthaal
Vanthavarai inbamendru vaangi kollumae
Orr udalundu kaaviyaththil
Nee athai kondaai
Idhu koodalukku vaasamendru naan adhai kandaen
Orr udalundu kaaviyaththil
Nee athai kondaai
Idhu koodalukku vaasamendru naan adhai kandaen
Aa……aah….haa….aa….
If you give a slap, you will know.
If you give a slap, you will know!
What is his modesty, what are his ways,
what is his charm, and what is his pride?
If you give a slap, you will know!
If you give a slap, you will know!
What is his modesty, what are his ways,
what is his charm, and what is his pride?
If you give a slap, you will know!
If that room turns out to be a bedroom,
if that room turns out to be a bedroom,
even this slap will bring sweet pleasure there!
What words of mine would make a man angry?
What words of mine would make a man angry?
I said them; will passion stir at least now?
Like the moon in his youth,
like Arjuna in his strength,
yet youth is something that cannot be understood
by questions alone, my girl!
If you give a slap, you will know!
What is his modesty, what are his ways,
what is his charm, and what is his pride?
If you give a slap, you will know!
I have shyness,
and I have fear, as a young woman;
asking without any shame is just love's madness!
Asking without any shame is just love's madness!
I have shyness,
and I have fear, as a young woman;
asking without any shame is just love's madness!
Asking without any shame is just love's madness!
I wished to be like proud Princess Alli,
and that is why I provoked Arjuna's anger!
Is this much enough, or do you want a wedding chamber?
There is yet another room—
shall I tell you what it is?
Shall I tell you? Shall I tell you? Tell me!
If that room turns out to be a bedroom,
it will welcome the one who enters with pure delight!
There is a beauty praised in ancient poetry,
and you possess that very body;
I saw it as a sweet home for our love!
There is a beauty praised in ancient poetry,
and you possess that very body;
I saw it as a sweet home for our love!
Aa... aah... haa... aa...
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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