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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Mamavukku

From Magudam · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Swarnalatha, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Magudam1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Indha maamaavukku thanni vekkalaamaaShall we heat up water for this uncle?
Adha oothi oothi thaeichu vidalaamaaShall we pour it and scrub him well?
Namma raamaayanam aarambikkalaamaaShall we begin our Ramayana story?
Adha raagam pottu paadi varalaamaaShall we sing it tuned to a lovely melody?
Naanaaga thaan thaedi poyi thoda maattenI won't go seeking him to touch on my own.
Thottu puttaa kaala vaari vida maattenIf he touches me, I won't let him trip and fall.
Idam thaan kedachadhum udumbaai pidippava naanOnce I get a foothold, I am one who holds on like a monitor lizard.
Chorus
Indha maamaavukku thanni vekkalaamaaShall we heat up water for this uncle?
Adha oothi oothi thaeichu vidalaamaaShall we pour it and scrub him well?
Namma raamaayanam aarambikkalaamaaShall we begin our Ramayana story?
Adha raagam pottu paadi varalaamaaShall we sing it tuned to a lovely melody?
Female
Naan patta paadu enna sollaHow do I explain the troubles I've been through?
Noolaagi ponen mella mellaI slowly turned thin as a thread.
Thaali katti vandha thaaramunnu paeruThough named a wife bound by sacred thread,
Vaadi ninnen pala naaluI stood withered and waiting for many days.
Female
Veettukku veedu vaasappadiEvery house has a doorstep,
Vekkatha vittu aala pudiShed your shyness and captivate your man.
Aambala thaan oru kallu pullaiyaaruA man is like a stone idol of Ganesha,
Asachida thaan vazhi paaruFind a way to make him move and yield.
Female
Sivagaami un aasaami un pinnodu varaSivagami, for your lover to follow right behind you,
Chorus
Adiyae idhu thaan samayamHey girl, this is the right time!
Pudava thalappula purushan adangiduvaanA husband will be completely tamed in the pallu of a saree.
Chorus
Indha maamaavukku thanni vekkalaamaaShall we heat up water for this uncle?
Adha oothi oothi thaeichu vidalaamaaShall we pour it and scrub him well?
Namma raamaayanam aarambikkalaamaaShall we begin our Ramayana story?
Adha raagam pottu paadi varalaamaaShall we sing it tuned to a lovely melody?
Female
Saamathil kooda kaathirundhomWe waited even through the midnight hour,
Saamandhi poovaa poothirundhomBlooming like fresh chrysanthemum flowers.
Vaadiyammaa ippa vandhidhuchu vaelaMy dear, the right time has finally arrived,
Aanandham thaan ini melaThere will only be happiness from now on.
Female
Vaelaikku poyi veedu varumWhen a man returns home after work,
Aanukku eppo moodu varumWhen does he get into the romantic mood?
Kulippaatti adha kondu vara venumYou have to bathe him and bring out that mood,
Surrender thaan endha aanumThen any man will completely surrender.
Female
Poovodu un paavaada ou bodhai thaan tharumYour skirt along with flowers will give an intoxicating feeling,
Chorus
Mayilae ilamaan kuyilaeOh peacock, gentle deer, and cuckoo bird!
Madi mael vizhundhavan maru naal ezhundhiduvaanThe man who falls into your lap will only wake up the next day.
Chorus
Indha maamaavukku thanni vekkalaamaaShall we heat up water for this uncle?
Adha oothi oothi thaeichu vidalaamaaShall we pour it and scrub him well?
Namma raamaayanam aarambikkalaamaaShall we begin our Ramayana story?
Adha raagam pottu paadi varalaamaaShall we sing it tuned to a lovely melody?
Naanaaga thaan thaedi poyi thoda maattenI won't go seeking him to touch on my own.
Thottu puttaa kaala vaari vida maattenIf he touches me, I won't let him trip and fall.
Idam thaan kedachadhum udumbaai pidippava naanOnce I get a foothold, I am one who holds on like a monitor lizard.
Chorus
Indha maamaavukku thanni vekkalaamaaShall we heat up water for this uncle?
Adha oothi oothi thaeichu vidalaamaaShall we pour it and scrub him well?
Namma raamaayanam aarambikkalaamaaShall we begin our Ramayana story?
Adha raagam pottu paadi varalaamaaShall we sing it tuned to a lovely melody?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and folk-infused track from the movie Magudam is a traditional intimate teasing song sung from a woman's perspective, offering playful advice on marital bonding and love. The lyrics use clever metaphors, comparing bathing and pampering a husband to breaking down his initial resistance and winning his affectionate submission.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamaani)

Idam thaan kedachadhum udumbaai pidippava naan

Compares holding onto love and opportunity firmly to the unbreakable grip of a monitor lizard ('udumbaai pidippava').

Metaphor

Aambala thaan oru kallu pullaiyaaru

Compares an unyielding or stubborn husband to a heavy stone statue of Lord Ganesha ('kallu pullaiyaaru').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kulippaatti adha kondu vara venum / Surrender thaan endha aanum

Rhyming of the second letter 'u' in 'Kulippaatti' and 'Surrender'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Magudam (1992), directed by Pratap Pothen, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics penned by Vaali, starring Sathyaraj, Gautami, and Bhanupriya.

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