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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Emma Anthi Mayakama

From Thendrale Ennai Thodu · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thendrale Ennai Thodu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yemmaa andhi mayakkamaaOh girl, is it twilight intoxication?
Indha mama vandha nerukkamaaOr closeness because this uncle (guy) arrived?
Male
Adi ennamma kannuHey, what is it, my dear?
Engkitta solluTell it to me.
Ada konjam naan konjaSo that I can coax you a little,
Kitta thaan nilluStand right close to me.
Male
Yemmaa andhi mayakkamaaOh girl, is it twilight intoxication?
Indha mama vandha nerukkamaaOr closeness because this uncle (guy) arrived?
Male
Adi ennamma kannuHey, what is it, my dear?
Engkitta solluTell it to me.
Ada konjam naan konjaSo that I can coax you a little,
Kitta thaan nillu…ehStand right close to me... eh!
Male
Moodu nalla mooduthaanThe mood is a good mood indeed,
Podu sakka poduthaanHit it with total perfection!
Aadu namma koodaththaanDance in our courtyard,
Aasai vellam odaththaanFor the flood of desires to float a boat.
Male
Valaiyanum neliyanum poongkodiThe flowering creeper should bend and sway,
Kulungkanum kuthikkanum maangkaniThe mango fruit should shake and jump!
Kaiyum kaalum onnaa pinnaAs hands and legs intertwine together,
Kannam rendum ponnaa minnaAs both cheeks shine like gold,
Mella thaan thullaththaanTo gently bounce around,
Enna naan sollaaththaanWhat else can I even say?
Male
Yemmaa andhi mayakkamaaOh girl, is it twilight intoxication?
Indha mama vandha nerukkamaaOr closeness because this uncle (guy) arrived?
Male
Adi ennamma kannuHey, what is it, my dear?
Engkitta solluTell it to me.
Ada konjam naan konjaSo that I can coax you a little,
Kitta thaan nillu…heiiStand right close to me... hey!
Male
Netru oru malathiYesterday it was Malathi,
Indru oru maithiliToday it is Maithili,
Naalai oru mohiniTomorrow a Mohini,
Naalum oru kaadhaliEvery single day a lover!
Male
Idhu oru thani vagai jaathagamThis is a unique kind of horoscope,
Ilamaiyil puthu puthu nadagamA brand new drama in youth!
Anbae vaa vaa kannae vaa vaaCome my love, come my dear,
Vandai thaedum vanna poovaaOh colorful flower seeking the bee!
Kanni thaen pongathaanAs virgin honey overflows,
Alli thaan unnaththaanTo scoop up and consume!
Male
Yemmaa andhi mayakkamaaOh girl, is it twilight intoxication?
Indha mama vandha nerukkamaaOr closeness because this uncle (guy) arrived?
Male
Adi ennamma kannuHey, what is it, my dear?
Engkitta solluTell it to me.
Ada konjam naan konjaSo that I can coax you a little,
Kitta thaan nillu…heiiStand right close to me... hey!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Yemmaa Andhi Mayakkamaa' is a playful and energetic romantic song from the 1985 Tamil movie 'Thendrale Ennai Thodu'. The song captures a lighthearted, seductive interaction where the male protagonist teases his beloved, asking if her romantic trance is due to the twilight hour or his own magnetic proximity. Filled with rhythmic wordplay, the protagonist encourages her to shed her shyness, dance, and embrace the joyous passion of youth. In the second verse, he playfully boasts about his playboy persona and charm across different days, before inviting her into a sweet romantic union. Vaali's rhythmic lyrics paired with Ilaiyaraaja's vibrant beat make this an iconic playful track of the 1980s Tamil cinema era.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Netru oru malathi / Indru oru maithili

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in line pairs like 'Netru' and 'Indru', or 'Valaiyanum' and 'Kulungkanum'.

Edhukai (Assonance/Second Letter Rhyming)

Moodu nalla mooduthaan / Podu sakka poduthaan

Matching second letters in consecutive lines, such as 'Moodu', 'Podu', 'Aadu', 'Aasai'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Netru oru malathi / Indru oru maithili / Naalai oru mohini / Naalum oru kaadhali

Rhyming words at line endings like 'Malathi', 'Maithili', 'Mohini', 'Kaadhali'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Valaiyanum neliyanum poongkodi / Kulungkanum kuthikkanum maangkani

Comparing the woman to a flowering creeper ('poongkodi') and a mango fruit ('maangkani').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The famous catchphrase 'Adi Ennamma Kannu' became immensely popular in Tamil pop culture and was later reused in iconic comedy scenes and song remixes across Tamil cinema.

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