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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Bengalore Thakkaali

From Ennai Paar En Azhagai Paar · 1983

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, P. Susheela, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ennai Paar En Azhagai Paar1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thakkali …bengalore thakkaaliTomatoes... Bangalore tomatoes
Koiyapazham vaangalaiyoWon't you buy guavas?
Saathukudi saathukudi…..Sweet lime, sweet lime...
Female
Haaa….aaa…aa…aaa..aaa…aa..Haaa….aaa…aa…aaa..aaa…aa..
Bengalore thakkaaliBangalore tomatoes
Periya periya thakkaaliBig, big tomatoes
Bengalore thakkaaliBangalore tomatoes
Periya periya thakkaaliBig, big tomatoes
Mudhu mudhunnu irukkuIt looks smooth and plump
Mudhu mudhunnu irukkuIt looks smooth and plump
Pudhu charakku thaanIt is brand new stock
Female
Koiyaa pazham vaangungaBuy guava fruit
Kuminjirukku paarungaLook, it is piled up high
Koiyaap pazham vaangungaBuy guava fruit
Kuminjirukku paarungaLook, it is piled up high
Kadichu paaru rusiya vidavum maatteengaTake a bite and see, you won't leave its taste
Kadichu paaru rusiya vidavum maatteengaTake a bite and see, you won't leave its taste
Female
Thaanaa velanju ippoGrown naturally now
Sandhaikkulla ninnuStanding inside the market
Thandhanatthom pottukkittuDancing to a cheerful rhythm
Thaedudhadi kannuThe eye searches, my dear
Female
Putham pudhu kada charakkuBrand new shop item
Kai padaadha onnuUntouched by hands
Virpanaikku kaathirukku vaangikkaiyaa kannuWaiting for sale, buy it dear sir
Female
Idhu vaadaadhuThis won't wither
Veyil padak koodaadhuSunlight should not fall on it
Vela pesaamae kai pada koodaadhuWithout settling the price, hands shouldn't touch it
Idhu vaadaadhu veyil pada koodaadhuThis won't wither, sunlight should not fall on it
Vela pesaamae kai pada koodaadhuWithout settling the price, hands shouldn't touch it
Female
Kaiyila thottu paatheengannaaIf you touch and feel it with your hand
Kaninju pogum pazham thaanIt is a fruit that ripens fully
Female
Vaayila echi oorudhaiyaaMouth is watering, sir
Vayasu pona kezham thaanEven for an old man past his age
Female
Aasa pattu aalu ellaamDesiring it, everyone
Vaangum pazhamIs a fruit they buy
Female
Saathukkudi vaangungaBuy sweet lime
Sathu yaerum paarungaSee your strength and nutrition rise
Saathukkudi vaangungaBuy sweet lime
Sathu yaerum paarungaSee your strength and nutrition rise
Size la idhu perusu vaangungaiyaa salisuThis is large in size, buy it cheap, sir
Size la idhu perusu vaangungaiyaa salisuThis is large in size, buy it cheap, sir
Female
Melaakkaa paatheengannaaIf you look at it from above
Minuminuppa theriyumIt shines with a glossy look
Paaloda saetheengannaaIf you combine it with milk
Pazhatharuma puriyumYou will realize what the fruit yields
Female
Sombalukku juice eduthuTaking juice to cure tiredness
Kudicheengannaa theliyumIf you drink it, you will clear up
Tholoda puzhinjeengannaaIf you squeeze it along with the skin
Rombi rombi vazhiyumIt will overflow and spill endlessly
Female
Idhu themboottumThis gives energy
Dhega balam undaakkumIt builds body strength
Ilam thaenaattam thaedi varum kondaattamLike fresh honey, celebration comes seeking you
Idhu themboottum dhega balam undaakkumThis gives energy and builds body strength
Ilam thaenaattam thaedi varum kondaattamLike fresh honey, celebration comes seeking you
Female
Ponnunga vithaa modhal tharamIf women sell it, it is top quality
Mannukkum vela yaerumEven the value of the dirt rises
Female
Pombala kaiyi pudichadhunnaaIf a woman's hand holds it
Rusiyum kooda maarumEven the taste changes for the better
Female
Venum vara vaangikkanga theendhu vidumBuy as much as you want before it runs out
Female
Koiyaa pazham vaangunga kuminjirukku paarungaBuy guava fruit, look, it is piled up high
Koiyaa pazham vaangunga kuminjirukku paarungaBuy guava fruit, look, it is piled up high
Kadichu paaru rusiya vidavum maatteengaTake a bite and see, you won't leave its taste
Kadichu paaru rusiya vidavum maatteengaTake a bite and see, you won't leave its taste

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively market vendor song where fruits such as tomatoes, guavas, and sweet limes are hawked in a bustling marketplace. Through playful double entendres, rhythmic repetition, and vivid descriptions, the song uses fruit selling as a colorful metaphor for charm, youthful vitality, and attraction. The speaker entices buyers with promises of freshness, high quality, and revitalizing benefits, creating an energetic and cheeky folk rhythm typical of South Indian cinema dance numbers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Double Entendre / Metaphor (Sleshai)

Pudhu charakku thaan

The term 'pudhu charakku' literally refers to fresh market produce, but acts as a suggestive colloquial metaphor praising youth and allure.

Repetition / Reduplication (Anaphora)

Periya periya thakkaali

Repeating 'periya' emphasizes the size and quality of the produce, enhancing the rhythmic beat of a market hawker.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edugai)

Idhu vaadaadhu / Veyil padak koodaadhu

The second consonant 'da' matches across lines ('vaadaadhu' and 'pada'), creating a smooth lyrical rhyme.

Simile (Uwamai)

Ilam thaenaattam thaedi varum kondaattam

Compares the incoming celebration and joy to 'ilam thean' (sweet young honey).

Keep listening

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