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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enn Raathukkam

From Enga Chinna Rasa · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Enga Chinna Rasa1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.
Male
Paala kudichen semboduI drank milk from a brass pot,
Paadam padichen themboduI learned my lesson with full courage.
Konjam nadukkamum thayakkamumA bit of trembling and hesitation
Thodakkathil irundhuchuWas there right at the beginning,
Thoda thoda sariyaachuAs I kept touching her, it all became fine.
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.
Male
Kattililae sattham kekkumunnuFearing the bed would make a creaking noise,
Oru pattu paaya keezhae virichenI spread out a silk mat on the floor.
Male
Kaalu mettiyilae vandha sathathilaeHearing the tinkling sound of her toe-rings,
Enga appan aathaa kannu muzhichaaMy mother and father woke up!
Male
Kattililae sattham kekkumunnuFearing the bed would make a creaking noise,
Oru pattu paaya keezhae virichenI spread out a silk mat on the floor.
Kaalu mettiyilae vandha sathathilaeHearing the tinkling sound of her toe-rings,
Enga appan aathaa kannu muzhichaaMy mother and father woke up!
Male
Anna kili alli kodi thulli kudhichaaThat parrot-like girl, slender as a creeper, leaped in joy.
Konjam andha pakkam indha pakkamSlightly to that side, and then to this side,
Yengi maraichaaShe yearned and hid herself.
Male
Yaethi vecha nei vilakka oodhi anachenI blew out the lit ghee lamp.
Ava vekka pattu etti nikka vaari anachenAs she stood away shyly, I pulled and embraced her.
Ada saeva kozhi koovi kooda kummaalam thaanAh, even the rooster crowed in utter excitement!
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.
Male
Paala kudichen semboduI drank milk from a brass pot,
Paadam padichen themboduI learned my lesson with full courage.
Konjam nadukkamum thayakkamumA bit of trembling and hesitation
Thodakkathil irundhuchuWas there right at the beginning,
Thoda thoda sariyaachuAs I kept touching her, it all became fine.
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.
Male
Chinna ponnu enna vitturunnuSaying 'I am a young girl, leave me alone',
Ava saelaiya thaan thaedi pudichaaShe searched for her saree to cover herself.
Male
Paavamunnu naanum vittiruppenOut of pity, I might have let her go,
Aanaa buthi kettu thaavi pudichenBut losing my self-control, I pounced and grabbed her!
Male
Chinna ponnu enna vitturunnuSaying 'I am a young girl, leave me alone',
Ava saelaiya thaan thaedi pudichaaShe searched for her saree to cover herself.
Paavamunnu naanum vittiruppenOut of pity, I might have let her go,
Aanaa buthi kettu thaavi pudichenBut losing my self-control, I pounced and grabbed her!
Male
Jallikkattu kaalaiya pol thulli kudhichenI leaped forward like a wild Jallikattu bull.
Ava appappaannu ammammaannuShe screamed 'Appappa!' and 'Ammamma!'
Kaththi tholachaaLosing her breath with cries!
Male
Kokkarikkum konda chaeval vittu vidumaaWill a proud crowing rooster back down?
Andha petta kozhi sathatthukku kattu padumaaWill it yield to the squeaks of a hen?
Andha nerathula soora puli naan thaandaaAt that moment, I was a ferocious tiger, my friend!
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.
Male
Paala kudichen semboduI drank milk from a brass pot,
Paadam padichen themboduI learned my lesson with full courage.
Konjam nadukkamum thayakkamumA bit of trembling and hesitation
Thodakkathil irundhuchuWas there right at the beginning,
Thoda thoda sariyaachuAs I kept touching her, it all became fine.
Male
En raathookkam pochu…My night's sleep is gone...
Ravikkaiyum saelaiyum paayaachuThe blouse and saree became the bedsheet.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic rustic Tamil track captures a newly married husband's humorous, enthusiastic, and playful recounting of his nuptial night. He describes the mixture of initial nervousness and burgeoning passion, detailing funny mishaps like his parents waking up due to the sound of his bride's toe-rings, and his attempts to create a romantic atmosphere on a simple floor mat. Filled with vivid rural metaphors—ranging from roosters and hens to Jallikattu bulls and ferocious tigers—the song playfully depicts the bride's shy resistance and the groom's ardent affection, showcasing Vaali's signature ability to weave earthy folklore themes with lighthearted romantic humor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paala kudichen sembodu / Paadam padichen thembodu

The recurrence of the initial consonant sound 'P' ('Paala' / 'Paadam') forms a traditional Tamil Monai rhyme.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Paala kudichen sembodu / Paadam padichen thembodu

The matching ending syllables '-bodu' ('sembodu' and 'thembodu') create an agreeable rhythm.

Simile (Upamai)

Jallikkattu kaalaiya pol thulli kudhichen

The protagonist compares his energetic, eager rush toward his bride to the forceful leap of a Jallikattu bull.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Andha nerathula soora puli naan thaandaa

The groom directly asserts he was a 'ferocious tiger', metaphorically emphasizing his intense passion and dominant mood.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Enga Chinna Rasa' (1987) was written, directed by, and starred K. Bhagyaraj alongside Radha. The music for the film was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The track became hugely popular for its energetic folk beat, playful double entendres, and expressive vocal delivery by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

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