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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jaliyana Jodigala

From Konjum Kumari · 1963

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Konjum Kumari1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
HoiyaaaHoiyaaa
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Kudumbavanin kaalaigalaBulls of the family!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Kudumbavanin kaalaigalaBulls of the family!
Female
Karu naaval pazham polae irupparuHe looks like a dark jambul fruit,
Ivar oru vaaram kulikaama varuvaaruHe comes around without bathing for a week!
Karu naaval pazham polae irupparuHe looks like a dark jambul fruit,
Ivar oru vaaram kulikaama varuvaaruHe comes around without bathing for a week!
Paanaiyilae vechirukkumLooking at the leftover rice,
Pazhanjothai paarthuKept inside the pot,
Paanaiyilae vechirukkumLooking at the leftover rice,
Pazhanjothai paarthuKept inside the pot,
Oru parukkai vida maattennu thinnaruHe ate it all, saying he wouldn't leave a single grain,
Naethu thinnaaruHe ate it yesterday!
Female
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Female
Ennadiyamma parvadhamHey Parvatham, my dear!
Unakku kodava thirumanamIs it a grand Kodava wedding for you?
Ennadiyamma parvadhamHey Parvatham, my dear!
Unakku kodava thirumanamIs it a grand Kodava wedding for you?
Aambalai ellam saelai kattiTelling all men to wear sarees,
Aduppai mootta sonnaeAnd light up the kitchen stove,
Aambalai ellam saelai kattiTelling all men to wear sarees,
Aduppai mootta sonnaeAnd light up the kitchen stove,
Nee veembula sonna vaarthai poyiThe stubborn words you uttered,
Vambula maatti ninnaeLeft you caught up in trouble!
Nee veembula sonna vaarthai poyiThe stubborn words you uttered,
Vambula maatti ninnaeLeft you caught up in trouble!
Female
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Kudumbavanin kaalaigalaBulls of the family!
Female
Eppadi irukkudhunghaHow is it going?
Odambhu eppadi irukkudhunghaHow is your body feeling?
Muppathu pallu irukkudhunghaYou used to have thirty teeth,
Ippa moono rendooo irukkudhunghaNow are there three or just two left?
Muppathu pallu irukkudhunghaYou used to have thirty teeth,
Ippa moono rendooo irukkudhunghaNow are there three or just two left?
Poluthu vidinthathum ezhuntheenghaAs soon as dawn broke, you woke up,
Neengha pullu thadukkiyae vilunthinghaAnd you tripped over mere grass and fell!
Eppadi irukkudhunghaHow is it going?
Odambhu eppadi irukkudhunghaHow is your body feeling?
Female
Erinju pona mammuthanaaruDid the burnt Lord Manmatha,
Ippadi vandhaarooReturn looking like this?
Adhu therinju poyi rathiyum koodaKnowing that, did Goddess Rathi too,
Ippadi vandhaaloCome along like this?
Female
Sikkanamaaga pethukanumHave children economically (family planning),
Naan sonnadha neengha othukkanumYou must accept what I say,
Sikkanamaaga pethukanumHave children economically (family planning),
Naan sonnadha neengha othukkanumYou must accept what I say,
Pakkuvamaaga vaazhungaLive your life with maturity and care,
Indha paatti sonnadha kelunghaListen to what this grandmother says!
Pakkuvamaaga vaazhungaLive your life with maturity and care,
Indha paatti sonnadha kelunghaListen to what this grandmother says!
Female
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Kudumbavanin kaalaigalaBulls of the family!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Jaliyana jodigalaJolly couples!
Kaaliyaana moolaigalaEmpty-headed brains!
Kudumbavanin kaalaigalaBulls of the family!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and humorous song from 'Konjum Kumari' (1963) presents a satirical commentary on domestic life, lazy husbands, and household squabbles. Singing from the perspective of a wise grandmother or elder, the speaker gently ridicules men who neglect hygiene, eat gluttonously, and lack physical stamina, while also teasing women whose stubbornness lands them in trouble.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Jaliyana jodigala / Kaaliyaana moolaigala

The second consonant 'li' matches across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic cadence typical of folk performance songs.

Upamai (Simile)

Karu naaval pazham polae irupparu

Compares a man's unwashed dark complexion to a dark jambul fruit ('Karu naaval pazham polae').

Moonaal (Alliteration)

Pakkuvamaaga vaazhunga / Indha paatti sonnadha kelungha

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Pakkuvamaaga', 'Paatti') enhances the folk lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Konjum Kumari (1963) is notable as one of Tamil cinema's early female-centric action comedy films, starring legendary actress Manorama in her debut role as a lead heroine alongside T. S. Balaiah. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song with colloquial folk humor that became popular for its social message on family planning framed in fun banter.

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