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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
Details
Alangari1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiWhy this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiAha, why this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Neethaan uyirallavo….Aren't you my very life force?
Male
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
Male
Mayilo thennanguyiloIs it a peacock or a southern cuckoo bird?
Thodavo enna thadaiyoWhat is stopping me from touching you?
Panamaraththu nongu polaeLike the tender fruit of the palmyra palm tree,
Inikkum un pechuSweet is your speech!
Maamaraththu chittu polaeLike the little bird on the mango tree,
Irukku un vaakkuSo charming is your word!
Male
Manjalaraichchu kulikkiraYou who bathe after applying ground turmeric,
Chinna pullaiyaeOh young, lovely girl!
Nenju thudippaa pesurae enakku pidikkalaYou speak with a pounding heart, which I do not like.
Kobam kollaathammaaDo not get angry, my lady,
Vegam kollaathammaaDo not get agitated, my lady.
Male
Hae china bommai kannazhagiyaeHey, little doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
Male
Aimpathu oru vayasaa alangaariIs Alangari fifty-one years old?
Kadhal seivom oru dhinusaaLet us make love in a unique, new style!
Thalaimudi naraichchaalennaWhat if the hair has turned gray?
Entha udal palam kuraiyalaiyaeMy bodily strength has not diminished at all!
Male
Kannaththai konjam killi viduPinch my cheek just a little bit,
Manasa konjam alli eduScoop up and take my heart a little,
En kannaana kannin maniThe precious pupil of my eye,
En ponnaana manonmaniMy golden Manonmani!
Vittu ponathai thottu paarkkavaeTo touch and cherish what was left behind,
Orae chance kodu alangaari…Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Orae chance kodu alangaari…Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Orae chance kodu alangaari…Give me just one chance, Alangari...
Male
Hae china bommai kannazhagiyaeHey, little doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiWhy this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiAha, why this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Neethaan uyirallavo….Aren't you my very life force?
Male
Aa….aaaa….aa….aa…aa…Ah....aaaa....ah....ah...ah...
Kadhal kavi paadalaam kaama rasam oottalaamWe can sing love poetry and pour the nectar of passion,
Kadhal kavi paadalaam kaama rasam oottalaamWe can sing love poetry and pour the nectar of passion,
Inbam theeraathathu anbu maaraathathuPleasure never ends, love never changes,
Vaaraai en kokilam vaaraai en kokilamCome, my cuckoo, come, my cuckoo,
Paaraai en poo mugam….aa….aa…aa…Look at my flower-like face....ah....ah...ah...
Male
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
China bommai kannazhagiyaeLittle doll with beautiful eyes,
En chiththira poovaiyadiMy picture-like artistic maiden!
Yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiWhy this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Haan yaenthaan vetkkamadi naanthaan pakkamadiAha, why this shyness, my dear, when I am right beside you?
Neethaan uyirallavo….Aren't you my very life force?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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