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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Etti Etti Paakkudhadi Thoppile

From Sarangathara · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. G. Rathnamala, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sarangathara1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Etti etti pakkudhadi thoppulaLook, he is peeping out from the grove again and again,
Oru yemaandha sonagiri maappillaeA gullible bridegroom from Sonagiri!
Chorus :AdhuChorus: That one!
Female :Etti ettiFemale: Peeping out!
Chorus :AngaeChorus: Over there!
Female :Etti ettiFemale: Peeping out!
Chorus :ChummaChorus: Just like that!
Female
Etti etti pakkudhadi thoppulaLook, he is peeping out from the grove again and again,
Oru yemaandha sonagiri maappillaeA gullible bridegroom from Sonagiri!
Adhu ettaadha maambalam kottaavi yenungaThat mango is far out of reach, so why yawn for it?
Kittadhunnu neenga sollungaTell him that it cannot be obtained!
Sollai kaekkatti kaeli panni sollungaIf he doesn't listen to your words, mock him and tell him!
Female
HaaHaha!
Female
HaaHaha!
Female
Suthum muthum pakkudhuHe looks all around,
Chorus : Hoo o hoo ho o hooChorus: Hoo o hoo ho o hoo
Female :Sokki poyi nikkudhuFemale: He stands there spellbound,
Chorus :Hoo o hoo ho o hooChorus: Hoo o hoo ho o hoo
Female
Suthum muthum pakkudhuHe looks all around,
Sokki poyi nikkudhuHe stands there spellbound,
Kathavithai ellaam ingae kaattudhuShowing off all his silly tricks and stunts here!
Female and Chorus :Kathavithai ellaam ingae kaattudhuFemale and Chorus: Showing off all his silly tricks and stunts here!
Female :Muthipona vayasile mulaichirukku manasileFemale: At an advanced age, desire has sprouted in his mind,
Ithanai naal illaadha nenjileIn a heart where it was absent for all these days,
Aasai ithanai naal illaadha nenjileA romantic desire in a heart where it was absent all these days!
Female
HaaHaha!
Female
HaaHaha!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and teasing song from the 1958 film Sarangathara revolves around women playfully mocking an older, gullible man who is peeping at them from behind a grove. They poke fun at his foolish flirtations, comparing his futile romantic pursuit to trying to reach a high-hanging mango that is way out of his reach. The lyrics lightheartedly mock his sudden romantic desires sprouting late in life and his desperate attempts to show off tricks to gain attention.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Proverbial Allusion

Adhu ettaadha maambalam kottaavi yenunga

Compares an unattainable romantic desire to a high-hanging mango out of reach, drawing on the cultural idiom similar to 'sour grapes'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Suthum muthum pakkudhu / Sokki poyi nikkudhu / Kathavithai ellaam ingae kaattudhu

The lines end with rhyming verbs ('pakkudhu', 'nikkudhu', 'kaattudhu') creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Etti etti pakkudhadi thoppula

The word 'Etti' (peeping/stretching) is repeated consecutively to emphasize the continuous action of peeping.

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Trivia

Sarangathara (1958) was a classic Tamil historical drama starring Sivaji Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi, and Rajasulochana. The music was composed by G. Ramanathan, a pioneer of Tamil film music, with playful lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi, showcasing classic Tamil folk comedy tropes.

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