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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Eechambazham

From Pavithra · 1994

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Shahul Hameed, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Pavithra1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Eechampazham navapazhamDate fruit, jamun fruit,
En mama undra karuppuMy uncle, you are so dark-skinned.
Endra ooru kaakaaingaThe crows in my village,
Ada ungala kaatilum chivapuOh, they are fairer than you!
Female
Kallipatti karuppattiPalm jaggery of Kallipatti,
Ada kannangkarupaanalumOh, even if he is pitch dark,
Endra vootu kannukuttyHe is the beloved calf of my household!
Male
Coimbatore maanukuttyLittle deer of Coimbatore,
Enna pesadha mattam thattiDo not talk down to me or belittle me.
Malgova mambalamaeO sweet Malgova mango!
Unna thingaporen vettiI am going to slice and devour you.
Male
Meesai illa madura veeranA Madurai Veeran without a mustache,
Ippo nandhan therinjukadiThat is who I am now, understand this dear!
Chellakutty vella kattiDarling little block of sugar!
Naan kathiyathan eduthaIf I draw out my knife,
Nikkamatten orangattiI will not stop, step aside!
Male
Coimbatore maanukuttyLittle deer of Coimbatore,
Enna pesadha mattam thattiDo not talk down to me or belittle me.
Female :Eechampazham navapazhamFemale: Date fruit, jamun fruit,
En mama undra karuppuMy uncle, you are so dark-skinned.
Male
{Konda mudiyum karuppu{The hair bun is black,
Un kannu maiyum karuppuThe kohl in your eyes is black,
Hey iduppu macham karuppuHey, the mole on your waist is black,
Adi en mela mattum en veruppu} (2)Hey, why do you direct your hatred towards me alone?} (2)
Male
Ae mannoduthan maranjirukkumHey, hidden inside the earth,
Karithan vaira kallagumEven coal turns into a diamond stone!
Female :Ada romba nee valiyiraFemale: Oh, you are flirting too much,
Bodhayila alaiyiraWandering around in intoxication,
Sikkadhu valaiyilaShe will not fall into your net,
Marudhamala pachakiliThe green parrot of Marudhamalai!
Female
Eechampazham navapazhamDate fruit, jamun fruit,
En mama undra karuppuMy uncle, you are so dark-skinned.
Endra ooru kaakaaingaThe crows in my village,
Ada ungala kaatilum chivapuOh, they are fairer than you!
Female
Vadipatti aadu vettiGoat-slaughterer of Vadipatti,
Thenam vega vacha kari chatti neeYou are like a pot of meat cooked daily!
Kallipatti karuppattiPalm jaggery of Kallipatti,
Ada kannangkarupaanalumOh, even if he is pitch dark,
Endra vootu kannukuttyHe is the beloved calf of my household!
Male
Coimbatore maanukuttyLittle deer of Coimbatore,
Enna pesadha mattam thattiDo not talk down to me or belittle me.
Malgova mambalamaeO sweet Malgova mango!
Unna thingaporen vettiI am going to slice and devour you.
Female
Mama neram than irumbuUncle, your body frame is strong like iron,
Undra manaso sakkara karumbuBut your heart is sweet sugarcane!
Hey neenga ooti vittaHey, if you feed me with your hands,
Ada inikkum veppam kolunthuEven bitter tender neem leaves will taste sweet!
Female
Nam anbodu than sernthu irundhaIf we stay together with true love,
Vambedhu thumbedhu mamaWhat trouble or misery can ever touch us, uncle?
Male : Adi siruvani thannikullaMale: Hey, in the Siruvani water,
Neendhi vandha chinna pullaYou little girl who came swimming,
Unna thotta kaiyinaalaWith the hand that touched you,
Thoda maten nan brandy buttyI will never touch a brandy bottle again!
Male
Coimbatore maanukuttyLittle deer of Coimbatore,
Enna pesadha mattam thattiDo not talk down to me or belittle me.
Malgova mambalamaeO sweet Malgova mango!
Unna thingaporen vettiI am going to slice and devour you.
Female
Vadipatti aadu vettiGoat-slaughterer of Vadipatti,
Thenam vega vacha kari chatti neeYou are like a pot of meat cooked daily!
Kallipatti karuppattiPalm jaggery of Kallipatti,
Ada kannangkarupaanalumOh, even if he is pitch dark,
Endra vootu kannukutty neeYou are the beloved calf of my household!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Eechampazham Navapazham' is a vibrant folk romantic track from the 1994 Tamil film Pavithra, featuring playful banter between two lovers. The female lead lightheartedly teases the male lead about his dark complexion using comparisons to dark fruits, charcoal, and local crows, while simultaneously celebrating his sweet nature and expressing her deep affection for him. Rich in regional references from western Tamil Nadu (such as Coimbatore, Siruvani, and Marudhamalai), the song highlights how true love transcends superficial appearances. In response to her playful taunts, the male lead asserts his manhood and devotion, promising to give up drinking alcohol after being touched by her love. The lyrics creatively weave together local imagery, native foods (like Malgova mangoes, palm jaggery, and cooked meat), and endearing romantic promises to deliver a lively dialogue of affection and rustic humor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Endra ooru kaakaainga / Ada ungala kaatilum chivapu

An exaggerated humorous statement comparing the dark complexion of the man to crows, claiming village crows are fairer than him.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Karithan vaira kallagum

Compares inner worth and transformation to coal turning into a valuable diamond under intense pressure within the earth.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kallipatti karuppatti / Ada kannangkarupaanalum

Rhythmic Tamil poetic meter created by matching the second consonant in consecutive lines (e.g., 'Kallipatti' and 'Kannangkarupaanalum').

Contrast (Muran)

Mama neram than irumbu / Undra manaso sakkara karumbu

Juxtaposition of tough exterior ('iron') with sweet inner nature ('sugarcane') to highlight the hero's personality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the song was composed by A.R. Rahman for the movie Pavithra (1994) starring Ajith Kumar and Radhika, it features vocals by Shahul Hameed and K.S. Chithra with lyrics penned by Pazhani Bharathi. The track heavily incorporates local Kongu Tamil flavor and geography, notably referencing the famous Siruvani water of Coimbatore.

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