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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Ponnu

From Ilam Jodigal · 1982

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Ilam Jodigal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chinna ponnu thanni kodamYoung girl carrying a pot of water
Kannil patta thaagam varumCatching a glimpse of it creates a thirst
Vaai neraiya naan kudikka koodaathooCan't I drink my fill to my heart's content?
Siruvaani neerae thiruvaaroor thaeraeYou are sweet as Siruvani water, grand as the Thiruvarur chariot
Siruvaani neerae thiruvaaroor thaeraeYou are sweet as Siruvani water, grand as the Thiruvarur chariot
Melum kelum inichirukum sengarumbaeSweet red sugarcane, sweet top to bottom
Melum kelum inichirukum sengarumbaeSweet red sugarcane, sweet top to bottom
Haai haai haai haaiHaai haai haai haai
Female
Chinna ponnu thanni kodamYoung girl carrying a pot of water
Kannil patta thaagam varumCatching a glimpse of it creates a thirst
Adhukku oru neram vandha theeraadhoWon't that thirst be quenched when the right time comes?
Unakkaaga thaane oori varum thaenaeIt is honey welling up just for you
Unakkaaga thaane oori varum thaenaeIt is honey welling up just for you
Oor ariya uravariya thaarenaeI shall give myself to you with the town and relatives knowing
Oor ariya uravariya thaarenaeI shall give myself to you with the town and relatives knowing
Haei haei haei haeiHaei haei haei haei
Male
Aadudhu muthu pallakku thaanA pearl palanquin sways gracefully
Oru poochelaiyil indha pon maalaiyilIn a floral saree on this golden evening
Munnadiyum pinnadiyum kannadiyae thaanFrom the front and the back, you shine like a mirror
Aadudhu muthu pallakku thaanA pearl palanquin sways gracefully
Oru poochelaiyil indha pon maalaiyilIn a floral saree on this golden evening
Munnadiyum pinnadiyum kannadiyae thaanFrom the front and the back, you shine like a mirror
Female
Piduthu nenjam kummalam thaanMy heart is filled with boundless joy and excitement
Nee paarattavoo thottu seerattavooShould I admire you or touch and pamper you?
Unnaalathaan undaanathu ullasamae thaanThis delight was created only because of you
Male
Thoda thoda thodaAs you touch, touch, touch
Female :Viral pada pada padaFemale: As fingers gently flutter
Male :Udal suda suda sudaMale: As the body turns hot and fiery
Female :Haei haei haei haeiFemale: Haei haei haei haei
Female
Chinna ponnu thanni kodamYoung girl carrying a pot of water
Kannil patta thaagam varumCatching a glimpse of it creates a thirst
Adhukku oru neram vandha theeraadhoWon't that thirst be quenched when the right time comes?
Male
Siruvaani neerae thiruvaaroor thaeraeYou are sweet as Siruvani water, grand as the Thiruvarur chariot
Siruvaani neerae thiruvaaroor thaeraeYou are sweet as Siruvani water, grand as the Thiruvarur chariot
Melum kelum inichirukum sengarumbaeSweet red sugarcane, sweet top to bottom
Melum kelum inichirukum sengarumbaeSweet red sugarcane, sweet top to bottom
Female
Raathiri namma raajangam thaanNight is our kingdom
Manamaalai vandha nalla velai vandhaaWhen the wedding garland comes, when the auspicious moment arrives
Illaadhadhum sollaadhadhum appodhu pesuSpeak then of things unimagined and unsaid
Haan raathiri namma raajangam thaanAh, night is our kingdom
Manamaalai vandha nalla velai vandhaaWhen the wedding garland comes, when the auspicious moment arrives
Illaadhadhum sollaadhadhum appodhu pesuSpeak then of things unimagined and unsaid
Male
Rajjiyam kattil saamrajjiyamOur kingdom is the realm of the bed
Vara naalaagumaa manam thaalaadhammaWill it take long to arrive? My heart cannot wait
Ennaasaiyai ennaannu nee kaathodu kaeluWhisper into my ear what your desires are
Female
Kisu kisu kisuWhisper, whisper, whisper
Male :Solla kilu kilu kiluMale: To tell it brings a delightful thrill
Female :Vidu vidu…Female: Leave me, leave me...
Male :Haai haai haai haaiMale: Haai haai haai haai
Male
Chinna ponnu thanni kodamYoung girl carrying a pot of water
Kannil patta thaagam varumCatching a glimpse of it creates a thirst
Vaai neraiya naan kudikka koodaathooCan't I drink my fill to my heart's content?
Female
Unakkaaga thaane oori varum thaenaeIt is honey welling up just for you
Unakkaaga thaane oori varum thaenaeIt is honey welling up just for you
Oor ariya uravariya thaarenaeI shall give myself to you with the town and relatives knowing
Oor ariya uravariya thaarenaeI shall give myself to you with the town and relatives knowing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Chinna Ponnu Thanni Kodam' from the movie Ilam Jodigal (1982) is a playful, romantic duet between two young lovers. The hero compares his lover carrying a water pot to sweet Siruvani water and a majestic red sugarcane, expressing his intense romantic desire and thirst to be with her. The heroine bashfully responds, promising that her affection is reserved solely for him and asking him to wait until they are legally wed in front of their village and family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Siruvaani neerae thiruvaaroor thaerae

The lover compares the heroine to 'Siruvaani neerae' (pure Siruvani river water) and 'Sengarumbae' (red sugarcane) to describe her sweetness and beauty.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Melum kelum inichirukum sengarumbae

Matching starting sound 'Melum' and 'Melum' in consecutive lines creating melodic cadence.

Onomatopoeia (Etai Kilaivi)

Viral pada pada pada

Use of rhythmic sounds like 'pada pada' (fluttering) and 'suda suda' (heating up) to evoke physical sensations of excitement.

Alliteration (Edhugai)

Rajjiyam kattil saamrajjiyam

Second letter harmony across words like 'Rajjiyam' and 'Saamrajjiyam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Sankar Ganesh, the song features a vibrant folk-pop arrangement popularized in early 80s Tamil cinema. Lyricist Pulamaipithan cleverly weaves cultural references such as Siruvani water (famous for being sweet) and the majestic Thiruvarur Temple Chariot into a romantic context.

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