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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Happy Returns

From Nallathukku Kalamillai · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nallathukku Kalamillai1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Haa haa haa haa…Haa haa haa haa…
Female
HeeiiiiiHeeiiiii
Female
Happy returns all my brothersHappy returns, all my brothers!
Vazhaginen vazhthukkalI offer my greetings and best wishes.
Happy returns all my brothersHappy returns, all my brothers!
Vazhaginen vazhthukkalI offer my greetings and best wishes.
Chorus
Humming[Humming]
Female
Palikkum enadhu vaarthaiMy words will turn into reality,
Jolikkum enadhu paarvaiMy gaze shines bright,
Inikkum enadhu serkkaiMy company is sweet and delightful.
Naan pala vazhiyil kavithaigalai eluthiyavalI am one who has composed poetry in many ways.
Female
Paarkkum paarvaiyinThe language of the glance
Bashai puriyumThat looks at me will be understood.
Paartha maathiramThe very moment one looks at me,
Aasai viriyumDesire will blossom.
Mogam undaagalaamInfatuation may arise,
Maeni soodaagalaamThe body may warm up.
Female
Happy returns all my brothersHappy returns, all my brothers!
Vazhaginen vazhthukkalI offer my greetings and best wishes.
Chorus
Humming[Humming]
Male
Periya idathu vishayamHigh-society matters,
Bodhai theliyum varaiyumUntil the intoxication fades away,
Paruva sugathil alaiyumWander in youthful pleasures.
Naan surangangalil virasangalai sagipadhadhillaiI do not tolerate vulgarity or unpleasantness in dark mines.
Male
Podum veshangalThe disguises being worn,
Naalai kalaiyumWill fall away tomorrow.
Naadum kaariyamThe goal being pursued
Nalamaai mudiyumWill reach a successful end.
Kaalam kai koodaalaamTime may align in our favor,
Kanavu ninaivagalaamDreams may come true.
Male
Happy returns all my brothersHappy returns, all my brothers!
Vazhaginen vazhthukkalI offer my greetings and best wishes.
Chorus
Humming[Humming]
Female
Maraindhu kidakkum pudhaiyalA hidden treasure lying beneath,
Male :Manadhil irukkum kalaigalMale: The arts and thoughts residing in the mind,
Female :Vilangum thagundha vazhigalFemale: Suitable paths will become clear.
Naan ninaitha kadhai mudiyum varai viduvadhillaiI will not leave until the story I envisioned reaches its end.
Male
Mannan maaligaiTo the king's palace,
Virundhaai vandhoomWe have arrived as guests.
Female :Marma naavalinFemale: Of this mystery novel,
Mudivai kaanbomWe shall see the climax.
Male :Thedi naam vandhadhuMale: What we came searching for,
Female :Theriyum naal vandhadhuFemale: The day it comes to light has arrived.
Female
Happy returns all my brothersHappy returns, all my brothers!
Male :Vazhaginen vazhthukkalMale: I offer my greetings and best wishes.
Chorus
Humming[Humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Happy returns all my brothers' from the 1977 Tamil movie 'Nallathukku Kalamillai' is a lively yet suspense-driven duet blending cabaret-style celebration with an underlying heist/investigative mission. The protagonists, disguised while attending a high-society event in a grand setting, use double entendres and festive greetings to communicate their secret plans.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Palikkum enadhu vaarthai / Jolikkum enadhu paarvai / Inikkum enadhu serkkai

The line endings 'vaarthai', 'paarvai', and 'serkkai' establish a rhythmic and pleasing end rhyme (Iyaipu) across consecutive lines.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Podum veshangal / Naadum kaariyam

The second letters in 'Podum' (o) and 'Naadum' (a, with matching long vowel quantity) create Ethugai harmony in the stanza structure.

Metaphor

Marma naavalin mudivai kaanbom

Comparing their ongoing secret mission and its impending reveal to uncovering the climax of a 'mystery novel' (marma naaval).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali, this song features the dynamic singing pair T. M. Soundararajan and S. Janaki. 'Nallathukku Kalamillai' (1977) featured Jaishankar in the lead role, a star renowned for James Bond-style Tamil thriller movies, which fits the undercover/investigative theme of this song.

Keep listening

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