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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Bramachari Bramachari

From Penne Nee Vazhga · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Penne Nee Vazhga1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalai varum neram kalaipaaraWhen evening arrives, to rest from fatigue,
Saelai thalaibaaram ilaipaaraTo ease the heavy burden of the saree,
Maalai varum neram kalaipaaraWhen evening arrives, to rest from fatigue,
Saelai thalaibaaram ilaipaaraTo ease the heavy burden of the saree,
Vendaama onnu vendaamaDon't you need someone, don't you?
Pakakthunai illadhu irukalaamaCan one really live without a companion by their side?
Female
Pennai padaichavanum ennaanaanWhat happened to the one who created woman?
Pennodu pennaaga onnaanaanHe merged as one with womanhood itself.
Pennai padaichavanum ennaanaanWhat happened to the one who created woman?
Pennodu pennaaga onnaanaanHe merged as one with womanhood itself.
Marandhaana pennai thurandhaanaDid he forget woman, did he renounce her?
Thannanthaniyaaga irundhaanaDid he stay all alone by himself?
AiyaaOh Sir!
Male
Melae pudavai nizhal padalamaShould the shadow of a saree fall upon me?
Kaadhil valaiyal oosai vizhalaamaShould the sound of bangles ring in my ears?
Melae pudavai nizhal padalamaShould the shadow of a saree fall upon me?
Kaadhil valaiyal oosai vizhalaamaShould the sound of bangles ring in my ears?
Varuvaeno buthi keduvaenoWill I come? Will I lose my senses?
Vanjiyarai valatta viduvaenoWill I allow women to trap and sway me?
Male
Bhrammachari bhrammachariOh bachelor, bachelor!
Vazhukki vizhuve noo noo nooYou will slip and fall, no no no!
Pombalainga kaathadichiWhen the breeze of women blows,
Thadukki vizhuve noo noo nooYou will trip and fall, no no no!
Male
Acham madam naanam marandhachaHave you forgotten fear, modesty, and bashfulness?
Kaathodu kaathaaga parandhachaHave they flown away into thin air with the wind?
Acham madam naanam marandhachaHave you forgotten fear, modesty, and bashfulness?
Kaathodu kaathaaga parandhachaHave they flown away into thin air with the wind?
Kaanalaiyae onnum kaanalaiyaeI haven't seen anything, nothing at all!
Pombalainga pola yaarum thonalaiyaeNo one seems as captivating as women!
Male
Katta bhrammachari bhrammachariO stubborn bachelor, bachelor!
Vazhukki vizhuve noo noo nooYou will slip and fall, no no no!
Pombalainga kaathadichiWhen the breeze of women blows,
Thadukki vizhuve noo noo nooYou will trip and fall, no no no!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and lighthearted debate between a woman teasing a bachelor and a man fiercely defending his vow of celibacy. The female protagonist argues that companionship is essential in life, pointing out that even Lord Shiva (the creator) embodied the feminine form as Ardhanarishvara rather than staying isolated. She playfully warns him that no matter how firm his stance is, he will inevitably succumb to love when a woman's charm touches his life. The male protagonist stubbornly insists he will not be swayed by feminine allure or sensory distractions like the rustle of sarees and jingling of bangles, though his defense is humorously portrayed as fragile.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maalai varum neram kalaipaara / Saelai thalaibaaram ilaipaara

Rhyming of the second character across adjacent lines for rhythmic harmony (Maalai / Saelai).

Monai (First letter alliteration)

Kaanalaiyae onnum kaanalaiyae

Alliteration of the initial letter in a line (Kaanalaiyae / Kaanalaiyae).

Mythological Allusion

Pennai padaichavanum ennaanaan / Pennodu pennaaga onnaanaan

Refers to the iconographic form of Ardhanarishvara where Lord Shiva incorporates Parvati as half of his divine body.

Repetition & Refrain

Vazhukki vizhuve noo noo noo

Playful vocal repetition of 'noo noo noo' used as a humorous chorus refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali cleverly references traditional Tamil virtues attributed to women ('Acham, Madam, Naanam' meaning fear, bashfulness, and modesty) in a teasing context, contrasting traditional values with comedic bachelor stubbornness set to K. V. Mahadevan's catchy folk-inspired melody.

Keep listening

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