Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ayyaiya Mella Thattu

From En Thambi · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
En Thambi1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Lallala lala lala lala lala laaLallala lala lala lala lala laa
Lallala lala lala lala lala laaLallala lala lala lala lala laa
Female
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Kannam vali edukkumMy cheeks will ache
Nenjam thudi thudikkumMy heart will beat fast
Aasai perugi vidumDesire will surge and overflow
Angam sivandhu vidumMy body will flush red
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Male
Vanna kandaangi kondadumCelebrating in a colorful Kandaangi saree
Kannaatti unnoduWith you, my beautiful girl
Male
Sandhosha sallaabamJoyful and playful love talk
Ullaasam kaanaamalWithout experiencing bliss
Theeraadhu ennaasaiMy longing will not end
Theeradhu singaariIt will not end, my stylish beauty
Male
Singaari chinna chittuStylish beauty, my little bird
Singaari chinna chittuStylish beauty, my little bird
Chella kili allavoAre you not my darling parrot?
Sevvandhi poovallavoAre you not a chrysanthemum flower?
Manjal niramallavoAre you not golden-yellow in color?
Vaira nagai allavoAre you not a precious diamond ornament?
Female
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Female
Nadakkum paadhai ondraanadhuThe path we walk has become one
Mayakkum bodhai undaanadhuAn intoxicating sensation has arisen
Sirikkum maeni chendaanadhuYour smiling body has become like a flower cluster
Aahaa mella thattu aahaa mella thattuAahaa tap gently, aahaa tap gently
Aahaa mella thattu mella thattuAahaa tap gently, tap gently
Mella thattu …..Tap gently…
Male
Enakkum yedho undaanadhuSomething has happened to me as well
Idharkum melae ennaavadhuWhat lies beyond this level?
Idharkum melae ennaavadhuWhat lies beyond this level?
Adi sithaadai paavaadaiHey girl with traditional dress and skirt
Melaadum mundhaanaiAnd the pallu floating above
Kothodu kothaagaGathered in abundant clusters
Kollaamal allaamalWithout taking my life or gathering me
Vittaalum theeradhuEven if left alone, it will not fade
Suttaalum maaradhadiEven if scorched, it will not change, my girl
Female
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Male
Singaari chinna chittuStylish beauty, my little bird
Female
Allippoo neerodai arugirukkaWhile the water lily stream is near
Mullaippoo thaer polae mugamirukkaWhile your face is like a chariot of jasmine flowers
Solla thaan koodaadha sugam kodukkaTo give an indescribable sweet bliss
Male
Adi kattaani muthae neeHey precious solid pearl, you
Kannodu kannaagaEye to eye
Senthaazham poovaagaLike a fragrant red screw-pine flower
Sevvaazhai thandaagaLike a tender red banana trunk
Sendhoora pottoduAdorned with a red vermilion bindi
Vandhaalum vandhaaiyadiYou have arrived indeed, my girl
Male
Singaari chinna chittuStylish beauty, my little bird
Singaari chinna chittuStylish beauty, my little bird
Chella kili allavoAre you not my darling parrot?
Sevvandhi poovallavoAre you not a chrysanthemum flower?
Manjal niramallavoAre you not golden-yellow in color?
Vaira nagai allavoAre you not a precious diamond ornament?
Female
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently
Kannam vali edukkumMy cheeks will ache
Nenjam thudi thudikkumMy heart will beat fast
Aasai perugi vidumDesire will surge and overflow
Angam sivandhu vidumMy body will flush red
Aiyaiyaa mella thattuOh my, tap gently

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from the film En Thambi (1968) expresses playful intimacy, affectionate banter, and deep romantic longing between two lovers. The heroine teasingly asks her lover to touch or tap her gently, warning that excessive passion will make her blush and heart race, while the hero shower her with romantic compliments, admiring her grace, traditional attire, and beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Mullaippoo thaer polae mugamirukka

Compares the heroine's face to a chariot made of jasmine flowers ('Mullaippoo thaer polae mugamirukka').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Chella kili allavo / Sevvandhi poovallavo

Metaphorically addresses the heroine as a golden parrot, chrysanthemum flower, and diamond ornament.

Edhugai (Rhyme on second letter)

Kannam vali edukkum / Nenjam thudi thudikkum

Use of the second consonant 'n' rhyming across adjacent lines (Kannam / Nenjam).

Refrain / Anaphora

Aiyaiyaa mella thattu

The repetitive phrase 'Aiyaiyaa mella thattu' creates a rhythmic, musical hook emphasizing playful romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

En Thambi (1968) stars Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by the legend Kannadasan.

Keep listening

More from En Thambi