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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Nattanadu Raathiri

From Dharma Devathai · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Raveendran
Details
Dharma Devathai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Oru maalai idu illa aala viduPlace a garland or leave me alone
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Enakkena pirandhavanThe one born for me
Vishayangal therinjavanThe one who knows things
Vevarangal purinjavan yaaruyaaThe one who understands details, who is he?
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Female
Ellaarum paathaa ellaarum kettaaIf everyone sees, if everyone asks
Ennaagum en paaduWhat will happen to my plight?
Machaanae neeyum achaaram poduCousin, you make an advance payment too
Appaala om paaduAfter that, it is your turn
Female
Sillara ullavan vaangalaamOne with loose change can buy
Ada mathavan paathu thaan yengalaamHey, let others just watch and long for it
Aei sillara ullavan vaangalaamHey, one with loose change can buy
Ada matthavan paatthu thaan yaengalaamHey, let others just watch and long for it
Female
Chinna vayasu ponnuA young aged girl
Ila vaazha kannuTender banana leaf-like eyes
Enna pudichirundhaa vaaiyaaIf you like me, come along
On madiyila thaanRight on your lap
Konjam ganam irundhaaIf there is some weight in cash
Enna azhaichukittu poiyaaTake me along with you
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Oru maalai idu illai aala viduPlace a garland or leave me alone
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Female
Kai kaasa podu enkooda aaduPut cash in hand and dance with me
Kadan solla koodaadhuNo talking on credit
Kaadhoda yaarum poo sutha vandhaaIf anyone comes to fool me around my ears
En kitta vegaadhuIt won't work with me
Female
Vandhavan yaarumae sokkanumAnyone who comes must be mesmerized
En vaasalil queuvilae nikkanumThey must stand in a queue at my doorstep
Aei vandhavan yaarumae sokkanumHey, anyone who comes must be mesmerized
En vaasalil queuvilae nikkanumThey must stand in a queue at my doorstep
Female
Nenju thudikkiradhaaIs your heart beating?
Thandhi adikkiradhaaIs the telegraph wire ringing?
Kaiyil kaasu irundhaa vaaiyaaIf you have cash in hand, come along
Vetti pasangalukkumFor jobless fellows
Vethu vettukkum thaanAnd for useless pretenders
Ingu edam illaiyae poiyaaThere is no place here, go away
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Oru maalai idu illai aala viduPlace a garland or leave me alone
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Enakkena pirandhavanThe one born for me
Vishayangal therinjavanThe one who knows things
Vevarangal purinjavan yaaruyaaThe one who understands details, who is he?
Female
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter
Idhu natta nadu raathiriIt is the dead of the night
Naan aththa mava maadhiriI am like your paternal aunt's daughter

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Idhu Natta Nadu Raathiri from the 1986 Tamil film Dharma Devathai is a playful, seductive dance track written by lyricist Vaali. The song features a woman performing in the middle of the night, playfully teasing suitors while demanding that only men with real cash and genuine intent approach her, while dismissing idle talkers and penniless pretenders. Throughout the lyrics, she contrasts traditional romantic tropes like uncle's daughter and garlanding with bold, practical demands for upfront payment and real attention.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Sillara ullavan vaangalaam / Ada mathavan paathu thaan yengalaam

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'll' in 'Sillara' and 'mathavan' ('th/ll' phonetic rhyme scheme across lines).

Mohnai (Initial alliteration)

Kai kaasa podu enkooda aadu

Repetition of the 'K' sound across the line for rhythmic cadence.

Idiom / Metaphor

Kaadhoda yaarum poo sutha vandhaa / En kitta vegaadhu

Poo suthadhu (winding flowers around the ear) is a classic Tamil idiom meaning to fool or dupe someone.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dharma Devathai (1986) stars Vijayakanth, Radhika, and Pallavi, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar with music composed by Raveendran.

Keep listening

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