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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Cheena Bommai

From Alangari · 1979

Lyricist
Soolur Kalaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. C. Krishnan, Covai Murali
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Alangari
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
7 Apr 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Neethaan uyirallavo….
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
Mayilo thennanguyilo
Thodavo enna thadaiyo
Panamaraththu nongu polae
Inikkum un pechu
Maamaraththu chittu polae
Irukku un vaakku
Manjalaraichchu kulikkira
Chinna pullaiyae
Nenju thudippaa pesurae enakku pidikkala
Kobam kollaathammaa
Vegam kollaathammaa
Hae china bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
Aimpathu oru vayasaa alangaari
Kadhal seivom oru dhinusaa
Thalaimudi naraichchaalenna
Entha udal palam kuraiyalaiyae
Kannaththai konjam killi vidu
Manasa konjam alli edu
En kannaana kannin mani
En ponnaana manonmani
Vittu ponathai thottu paarkkavae
Orae chance kodu alangaari…
Orae chance kodu alangaari…
Orae chance kodu alangaari…
Hae china bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Neethaan uyirallavo….
Aa….aaaa….aa….aa…aa…
Kadhal kavi paadalaam kaama rasam oottalaam
Kadhal kavi paadalaam kaama rasam oottalaam
Inbam theeraathathu anbu maaraathathu
Vaaraai en kokilam vaaraai en kokilam
Paaraai en poo mugam….aa….aa…aa…
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
China bommai kannazhagiyae
En chiththira poovaiyadi
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi
Neethaan uyirallavo….
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
Why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Ah, why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Aren't you my very life?
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
Are you a peacock, or a cuckoo from the coconut grove?
Can I touch you, or is there something in the way?
Like the tender fruit of a palm tree,
Sweet is the way you speak!
Like a little bird in a mango tree,
Lively is your word!
You who bathe in freshly ground turmeric,
O young girl!
You talk with such bold cheekiness, I don't like it!
Don't be angry, my dear!
Don't lose your temper, my dear!
Hey, my China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
Is fifty-one really an old age, Alangari?
Let us love each other in a special way!
What does it matter if my hair has gone grey?
My body hasn't lost any of its strength!
Pinch my cheek just a little,
Scoop up my heart and take it with you!
The precious apple of my eye,
My golden Manonmani!
Just to touch and relive what we left behind,
Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Hey, my China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
Why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Ah, why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Aren't you my very life?
Ah....aaaa....ah....ah...ah...
We can sing poems of love and feed the sweetness of romance,
We can sing poems of love and feed the sweetness of romance,
Our joy is endless, our love never fades!
Come to me, my sweet songbird, come to me, my sweet songbird!
Look upon my flower-like face... ah... ah... ah...
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
My China doll with beautiful eyes,
My picture-perfect, flower-like girl!
Why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Ah, why all this shyness when I am right beside you?
Aren't you my very life?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a playful and lighthearted romantic track from the 1979 film Alangari. The male protagonist endearingly praises his beloved (Alangari / Manonmani), comparing her beauty and speech to sweet palm fruit, singing birds, and a delicate doll. He playfully addresses the fact that age (51 years old) and gray hair cannot diminish their romance or passion, humorously asking for 'one chance' to rekindle their youthful love and affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Panamaraththu nongu polae

Compares her sweet speech to the soft taste of tender palmyra palm fruit.

Ethirukai (Second letter rhyming)

China bommai kannazhagiyae / En chiththira poovaiyadi

The second letters of 'China' and 'chiththira' rhyme ('na'/'th').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadi

Lines end with matching rhyming sounds 'vetkkamadi' and 'pakkamadi'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Vaaraai en kokilam... Paaraai en poo mugam

Metaphorically addresses the beloved as a flower-like face and a nightingale.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'China bommai kannazhagiyae' features a rare vocal combination of veteran playback singer S. C. Krishnan along with Malaysia Vasudevan and Kovai Murali under the composition of V. Kumar. The lyrics were penned by Soolur Kalaipithan, showcasing rustic Tamil humor and romantic banters.

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