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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththi Marathula Muttai

From Neer Nilam Neruppu · 1980

Lyricist
Udhayanan
Singers
S. C. Krishnan, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Neer Nilam Neruppu1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aththi maraththula muttai ittuLaying eggs in the fig tree,
Aavaaram thoppukkullae kunju porichchuAnd hatching chicks inside the Aavaaram grove,
Kunjukku irai theda pona paambeO snake that went searching for food for its young,
Nee kudhichchu kudhichchu vanthu aadu paambeCome leaping and dancing, O snake!
Male
Podu…jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukkuPlay it... Jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukku!
Adi jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukkuHey jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukku!
Female :Jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukkuFemale: Jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukku!
Aaha jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukkuAaha jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukku!
Male
Veeraappu pesiya pasangalaiyellaamAll those guys who spoke arrogant words,
Velavelaththu nadunga vachcha nalla paambeGood snake, you made them tremble and shake in fear!
Aa….veeraappu pesiya pasangalaiyellaamAh... all those guys who spoke arrogant words,
Velavelaththu nadunga vachcha nalla paambeGood snake, you made them tremble and shake in fear!
Maraakku potta intha maamaayila enakkuFor me, with this peacock-like girl wearing her veil,
Mana mudichchu vaikka vantha chella paambeDear snake, you came to help tie the marital knot!
Male
Aahaa…..jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukkuAahaa... jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukku!
Adi jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukkuHey jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukku!
Female :Aahaa…..jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukkuFemale: Aahaa... jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukku!
Adi jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukkuHey jikkidi mukku jikkidi mukku!
Male
Maraatha manasaiyellaam maaravum vachcheYou made unyielding hearts change their mind,
Naan manasu vachcha ponnu enna seravum vachchaYou enabled the girl I set my heart on to unite with me!
Maraatha manasaiyellaam maaravum vachcheYou made unyielding hearts change their mind,
Naan manasu vachcha ponnu enna seravum vachchaYou enabled the girl I set my heart on to unite with me!
Seeraama seeri vantha nalla paambeGood snake that hissed rhythmically without losing composure,
Yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae yae…Yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae yaehae yae...
Seeraama seeri vantha nalla paambeGood snake that hissed rhythmically without losing composure,
Ivanga seththa paambu aakki vachcha chella paambeDear snake that rendered all these antagonists powerless like dead snakes!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Neer Nilam Neruppu' (1980) is a lively folk snake-charmer duet. The lyrics address a snake in playful reverence, combining traditional snake-dance riddles and rhymes with a narrative of triumph. The singers praise the snake for scaring off arrogant opponents and helping unite the male protagonist with the woman he loves, ultimately making their adversaries harmless like 'dead snakes'.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Aththi maraththula muttai ittu / Aavaaram thoppukkullae kunju porichchu

The second letters 'th/va' match in sound pattern across initial lines like 'Aththi' and 'Aavaaram', showcasing classic Tamil poetic structure.

Monaikal (Alliteration / First-letter Rhyming)

Maraakku potta intha maamaayila enakku / Mana mudichchu vaikka vantha chella paambe

Repetition of initial consonant 'M' in 'Maraakku' and 'Maamaayila', as well as 'Mana'.

Onomatopoeia (Anukaranai)

Podu…jikku mukku jikku mukku jikku mukku

Rhythmic folk sounds like 'Jikku mukku' and 'Jikkidi mukku' mimic the percussive snake-charmer beat.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvakam)

Ivanga seththa paambu aakki vachcha chella paambe

Refers to the antagonists being rendered harmless as 'seththa paambu' (dead snakes) by the clever intervention.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Neer Nilam Neruppu' (1980) featured music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and was known for incorporating energetic Tamil rural folk rhythms. S. C. Krishnan, a legendary singer known for his unique rustic voice in early Tamil cinema, rendered this upbeat snake-dance song alongside B. S. Sasireka.

Keep listening

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