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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

English Kaaran Thanni

From Poo Poova Poothirukku · 1987

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, T. Rajendar
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Poo Poova Poothirukku1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Nee pottu paaru machchiTry drinking it, buddy!
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Nee pottu paaru machchiTry drinking it, buddy!
Male
Poda poda bodhai yaeri pochchuAs time passes, the intoxication keeps rising!
Male :AamaamMale: Yes!
Male :Ada paada paada raagam maari pochchuMale: Ah, as I sing and sing, the tune has changed!
Male :MachchaanMale: Buddy!
Male :Poda poda bodhai yaeri pochchuMale: As time passes, the intoxication keeps rising!
Male: AppadiyaaMale: Is that so?
Male :Ada paada paada raagam maari pochchuMale: Ah, as I sing and sing, the tune has changed!
Male
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Male :HaanMale: Yeah!
Male :Naan adichchu paarthen machchiMale: I tried drinking it, buddy!
Male :AiyayaiyyoMale: Oh no!
Male :English-kaaran thanniMale: Englishman's liquor,
Naan adichchu paarthen machchiI tried drinking it, buddy!
Male
Haei thanniya nampiththaan meenae irukkuthuHey, the fish lives only by trusting water,
Nambala nambiththaan thanniyae irukkuthuAnd water exists only trusting us to drink it!
Male
Inbaththaiyum thunbaththaiyumJoy and sorrow,
Aandavanthaan kalakkuraanGod alone mixes them together!
Male :AamaamMale: Yes!
Male :Piraanthiyaiyum sodaavaiyumMale: Brandy and soda,
Manushanthan kalakkuraanMan alone mixes them together!
Male
Haehae thaththuvamaa uthukuraenHa ha, I spill philosophy like pouring a drink,
Male :Amaa….Male: Yes...
Male :Thalaikeezhaa mithakkiraenMale: I am floating upside down!
Male :Hae hae…Male: Ha ha...
Male
Hae thaththuvamaa uthukuraenHey, I spill philosophy like pouring a drink,
Thalaikeezhaa mithakkiraenI am floating upside down!
Male
Kaiya kaanondaa kaiya kaanondaaI can't find my hands, man, I can't find my hands!
Tholanju pochchudaa machchiIt's lost, buddy!
Male
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Naan adichchu paarthen machchaanI tried drinking it, buddy!
Male
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Naama adichchu paarththom machchiWe tried drinking it, buddy!
Male
Wiskey-yila ice-ah pottaa kick-kumthaan yaerumIf you put ice in whiskey, the kick increases!
Hae pondattikku ice-ah vachchaa manasum kulirumHey, if you butter up your wife, her heart cools down!
Male
Ponnungala peththavnathaanOnly the one who begets daughters,
Ponnungala peththavnathaanOnly the one who begets daughters,
Punniyavaan aavaanWill become a virtuous person!
Kanna pola valarththida kashtamae illathaanIt is no trouble at all to raise them like one's own eye,
Male
Varathatsanai keppangaThey will ask for dowry,
Male :AamaamMale: Yes!
Male :Adhu piratchanai maattippomMale: That's a problem, we will get trapped!
Male :AamaMale: Yes!
Male
Varathatsanai keppangaThey will ask for dowry,
Adhu piratchanai maattippomThat's a problem, we will get trapped!
Vasathi irukkudaa vasathi irukkudaaDo we have the wealth, man? Do we have the wealth?
Podaa po…Go away, go...
Male :MachchaanMale: Buddy!
Male
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Nee pottu paaru machchi machchiTry drinking it, buddy, buddy!
English-kaaran thanniEnglishman's liquor,
Nee pottu paaru machchiTry drinking it, buddy!
Male
Poda poda bodhai yaeri pochchuAs time passes, the intoxication keeps rising!
Ada paada paada raagam maari pochchuAh, as I sing and sing, the tune has changed!
Male :MachchaanMale: Buddy!
Male :Poda poda kick-ku koranju pochchuMale: As time passes, the kick has reduced!
Male :AamaaMale: Yes!
Male :Ada paada paada kick-ku yaeri pochchuMale: Ah, as I sing and sing, the kick has increased!
Male
Haan….english-kaaran thanniYeah... Englishman's liquor,
Naan adichchu paarthen machchi…..I tried drinking it, buddy...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a humorous and philosophical drunkard duet where two friends share drinks and reflect on life. Using alcohol as a playful metaphor, they blend lighthearted banter with sharp social observations. They compare God mixing joy and sorrow in human life to man mixing brandy and soda in a glass.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Poda poda bodhai yaeri pochchu / Ada paada paada raagam maari pochchu

Both lines end with the rhyming phrase 'pochchu', creating a rhythmic cadence standard in folk and casual song structures.

Pun / Double Entendre

Wiskey-yila ice-ah pottaa kick-kumthaan yaerum / Hae pondattikku ice-ah vachchaa manasum kulirum

Plays on the word 'ice'—literally putting ice in whiskey versus the colloquial Tamil slang 'ice vaipadhai' (buttering up or flattering one's wife).

Muran (Antithesis)

Inbaththaiyum thunbaththaiyum

Pairs contrasting emotions—'Inbam' (Joy) and 'Thunbam' (Sorrow)—to highlight the dual nature of life experiences.

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Trivia

Written by T. Rajendar, known for his signature rhyming lyricism, rapid wordplay, and unique philosophical commentary woven into everyday colloquial Tamil.

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