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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Kobam Pollathu

From Arivaali · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Banumathi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Arivaali1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pattupol meni palapalakkum….mm…mm….A body shining smooth like silk... mm... mm...
Thottaalae kannirendum joli jolikkumUpon touching it, both eyes sparkle brightly.
Enakku uttra porulaanathu ullang kavarnthathThe item most suitable for me captured my heart,
En ullaasa vaazhvirkkae ullapadu thevaiyathuIt is exactly what is needed for my joyful life.
Madam….aa…aa…aa….Madam... ah... ah... ah...
Adhai kannaalae kaanamal vanthaenaeI came without having seen it with my own eyes,
Kannaalae kaanamal vanthaenaeI came without having seen it with my own eyes,
Adhu en munnae ingu nirkka kandaenaeI saw it standing right here in front of me!
Male
Kannaalae kaanamal vanthaenaeI came without having seen it with my own eyes,
Adhu en munnae ingu nirkka kandaenaeI saw it standing right here in front of me!
Female
Kattu kadhai alanthu kanniyarai vattamittuSpinning cooked-up tales and circling around young women,
Pattu endrum chittu endrum pallai pallai kaattikittuFlashing smiles while calling them sweet nicknames like silk and little bird,
Mattu mariyaathaiyillaa vaarththaikalai kottivittuSpilling words without any boundaries or respect,
Kuttupada vantha konala puththikaararaeOh person of twisted mind who has come to get scolded!
Female
Mister….oo….oo….ooMister... oh... oh... oh...
En kobam pollaathu JaakkirathaeMy anger is terrible, beware!
Mister en kobam pollaathu JaakkirathaeMister, my anger is terrible, beware!
Mister idhuthaanaa BA degree yokkiyathaeMister, is this the dignity of your B.A. degree?
Female
En kobam pollaathu JaakkirathaeMy anger is terrible, beware!
Mister idhuthaanaa BA degree yokkiyathaeMister, is this the dignity of your B.A. degree?
Male
Thappaa enna sonnaenWhat wrong did I say?
Thaiyalae kobamum yaenOh maiden, why this anger?
Aa…aa…aa….thappaa enna sonnaenAh... ah... ah... What wrong did I say?
Thaiyalae kobamum yaenOh maiden, why this anger?
Male
Kambeeramaana vandi gowuravumaana vandiA majestic vehicle, a prestigious vehicle,
Kambeeramaana vandi gowuravumaana vandiA majestic vehicle, a prestigious vehicle,
Arputhamaana vandi azhagaana vandiA wonderful vehicle, a beautiful vehicle,
Arputhamaana vandi azhagaana vandiA wonderful vehicle, a beautiful vehicle,
Male
Adhai kannaalae kaanamal vanthaenaeI came without having seen it with my own eyes,
Kannaalae kaanamal vanthaenaeI came without having seen it with my own eyes,
Adhu en munnae ingu nirkka kandaenaeI saw it standing right here in front of me!
Female
Thanthiraththaal kaariyaththaiTo accomplish your purpose
Saathikka vanthavarae…ae…ae.ae….Oh one who came through trickery... ah... ah... ah...
Thanthiraththaal kaariyaththaiTo accomplish your purpose
Saathikka vanthavaraeOh one who came through trickery,
Female
Thanmaanamullavargal seiyyum seyalthaanaaIs this an action done by people with self-respect?
Thanmaanamullavargal seiyyum seyalthaanaaIs this an action done by people with self-respect?
Female
Entha vidhaththilumae yaemaara maattaen naanI will not be fooled in any way whatsoever,
Entha vidhaththilumae yaemaara maattaen naanI will not be fooled in any way whatsoever,
Intha vazhi sariyilla vantha vazhi paarumThis path is not right, go back the way you came!
Female
Mister en kobam pollaathu JaakkirathaeMister, my anger is terrible, beware!
Mister idhuthaanaa BA degree yokkiyathaeMister, is this the dignity of your B.A. degree?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet from the movie Arivaali (1963) showcases a playful and sharp-witted verbal duel between the lead characters played by Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. The male lead slyly uses double entendres—ostensibly describing a grand, sleek vehicle ('vandi') that captured his heart, while teasingly addressing the high-spirited female lead. In response, the educated and proud heroine calls out his clever tricks, warning him that her temper is dangerous and questioning whether such rowdy flirting suits a man holding a B.A. degree. The song brilliantly combines comedic banter, musical rhythm, and clever Tamil lyricism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kattu kadhai alanthu... / Pattu endrum chittu endrum... / Mattu mariyaathaiyillaa... / Kuttupada vantha...

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Irattai Kilavi / Onomatopoeia

Pattupol meni palapalakkum / Thottaalae kannirendum joli jolikkum

Use of doubled sound-words to describe physical shine and brightness ('palapalakkum' and 'joli jolikkum').

Metaphor / Double Entendre (Sleidai)

Kambeeramaana vandi gowuravumaana vandi / Arputhamaana vandi azhagaana vandi

The speaker ambiguously refers to a beautiful 'vandi' (vehicle), cleverly blurring the line between praising an object and teasing the maiden standing before him.

Did you know?

Trivia

Arivaali (1963), directed by A. T. Krishnaswamy, is a Tamil film adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous play 'The Taming of the Shrew'. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna and Sivaji Ganesan starred as the fiery couple whose ideological and verbal clashes drive the narrative, with lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi.

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