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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Foreign Return

From Rangoon · 2017

Lyricist
Lallu
Singer
Anirudh Ravichander
Music director
R. H. Vikram
Details
Rangoon2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………….
Male
: Ilipoochi ethiravachiSet the glow-worms alight
Functionula party vechiThrow a party at the function
Hey thappu sathamHey, the loud beats of the Thappu drum
TherikanumdaShould blow everyone away!
En machaanukku meimaa kondaBring grand honor to my dear groom/friend
Chorus
Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…
Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…
Male
Foreign return-u thanHe is a foreign returnee
Padharaatha pattunu thaanUnshaken and sharp as a tack
Bazaar piece-uA top-market quality piece
Perfect-u thanHe is absolutely perfect
Attu illa assi thanNot cheap local stuff, pure original class!
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Atho moingaalaamLook there, the feast is served
Chorus :Enga burma fooduChorus: Our Burmese food
Lungi kattukumDraped in a lungi
Chorus :Thani style-u unduChorus: Possesses a unique style
Nagarae thoguruthuThe whole city gathers around
Chorus :Indha marriage kuChorus: For this wedding
Oorae jolikattumLet the entire town shine brightly
Chorus :Un vekkamkottuChorus: Shed your shyness
Chorus
Vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them, girls, bless them!
Inga vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them right here, girls, bless them!
Vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them, girls, bless them!
Nalla vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them abundantly, girls, bless them!
Chorus
Ooru olagamae sendhuThe whole town and world coming together
Vaazhthu sollaTo shower their blessings,
Maapillai ponnumae vandhachuThe groom and bride have arrived!
Ayya peelikaan muniyan thunaiaachuLord Pelican Muniyan's divine grace is with us
INA pensiona moiyaa vekka thanTo present their INA pension money as wedding gifts,
Perusu kootamum sendhaachuThe gathering of elders has assembled too
Indha ooru sanamaee oravaachuThe people of this town have become our own family
Chorus
Vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them, girls, bless them!
Nalla vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadiBless them abundantly, girls, bless them!
Male
Thayya nayya paathumaWatching over us through ups and downs,
Tried aanom naangammaaWe tried our best, oh dear
Meiyaalumae sondhandhaanTruly, we are bound as relatives now
Irukkumadi paasamaaBound together with pure affection!
Male
Thakuli mukkuli thavakkalaPlump and playful like a little frog
Thangathula maapillaiA bridegroom pure as gold
Kanna asaicha gappulaIn the simple blink of an eye
Kettu puttan payapullaThis lad asked for her hand!
Male
Grakki vutta ookumaaIf you push up the demand, will it work?
Kayatti vutta lock-u maIf you let go, it locks in place!
Nekka pokka nadanthukooConduct yourself smoothly and cleverly
Chikkamaanaa polanthukkumIf you get caught, things will rip apart!
Male
Dar aanaa tavattaimaaIf scared, it turns to panic
Surr aana surru maIf ignited, it flares up fast!
Ajaguja allikoGrab all the joy and messiness
Machan kitta thallikooNudge closer to your groom
Male
NatpukullaaraWithin our close friendship
Sondham aanomaeWe have become family
Neethaanda eppothumYou are always the one
En maapillaiMy groom!
Kanavaa nanavaanuIs this a dream or reality?
Killi paakirenI pinch myself to check
Kannmunnae kalyanam sorgathulaa..aa…Right before my eyes, a marriage made in heaven..aa…
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Foreign return-u thanHe is a foreign returnee
Padharaatha pattunu thaanUnshaken and sharp as a tack
Bazaar piece-uA top-market quality piece
Perfect-u thanHe is absolutely perfect
Attu illa assi thanNot cheap local stuff, pure original class!
Chorus
Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…
Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…Hoi…hoi…hoi…hoi…
Male
Thaarai thappaataiThe Thaarai and Thappai drums
Chorus :Adha nallaa kottuChorus: Beat them well!
Vaanam ettattumLet the sound reach the sky
Chorus :Adha meeri thattuChorus: Beat them even louder!
Jodi serattumLet the couple unite
Chorus :Un vaazhthai kottuChorus: Shower your blessings!
Podu kuthaattamDance the energetic Kuthu dance!
Chorus :Ada vekkam vuttuChorus: Shed your shyness!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This high-energy celebratory track from the movie 'Rangoon' captures the festive atmosphere of a wedding rooted in North Chennai's unique Tamil-Burmese cultural synthesis. The song celebrates the bridegroom, praising him as a sophisticated 'foreign returnee' of high character, while highlighting community solidarity, traditional food, lively folk percussion (Thaarai Thappu), and cheerful banter among relatives and friends.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Foreign return-u than / Padharaatha pattunu thaan

The second letter 'da/dha' matches across lines ('Padharaatha' echoing the rhythm of 'Foreign').

Metaphor

Attu illa assi than

Slang metaphor comparing the groom's character to high-grade original merchandise rather than cheap local imitations ('attu').

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadi / Inga vaazhthungadi vaazhthungadi

Repetition of the chorus refrain 'vaazhthungadi' at the end of successive lines for rhythmic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Rangoon' explores the lives of Tamil migrants in Myanmar (Burma) and their descendants in North Chennai. References in the song like 'Burma foodu' and 'INA pension' directly tie into the historic Indian National Army (INA) connection with Burmese Tamils.

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