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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jikku Jikkuchaang Kannadi

From Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Karaikudi Narayanan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Jikku jikkuchaang jikku jikkuchaangJikku jikkuchaang jikku jikkuchaang
Kannaadi singaara kannaadiMirror, beautiful decorative mirror
Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuCoconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us
Male
Jikku jikkuchaang kannaadiJikku jikkuchaang mirror
Singaara kannaadiBeautiful decorative mirror
Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuCoconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us
Female
Jikku jikkuchaang kannaadiJikku jikkuchaang mirror
Singaara kannaadiBeautiful decorative mirror
Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuCoconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us
Male
Therthalla nikka poren chella raniI am going to contest in the elections, my dear queen
Theruvellaam vaanga poren lanjam vaangiI am going to collect bribes across all the streets
Ilavarasi thangam melae abhishegamthaanAnointing ritual over the golden princess
Inimelae sanyaasikku santhosamthaanFrom now on, there is pure joy for the ascetic
Female
Ambunnaa ambu raman vitta ambuIf it is an arrow, it is the arrow shot by Lord Rama
Male :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….Male :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….
Female :Appan peru jambu aiyyaanara nambuFemale :Father's name is Jambu, trust Lord Ayyanaar
Male :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….Male :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….
Male
Jikku jikkuchaang kannaadiJikku jikkuchaang mirror
Singaara kannaadiBeautiful decorative mirror
Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuCoconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us
Female
Um puththi kuppa lorry naaruthaiyaaYour mind smells like a garbage truck, sir
Odhappaanga podhu jananga lanjam kettaaThe public will kick you if you demand bribes
Kedukkaatha namma naatta ozhaichchikkalaamDo not ruin our nation, let us work hard instead
Edhirkaalam yaezhi pakkam saeththukkalaamLet us embrace the future alongside the poor
Male
Ambunnaa ambu raman vitta ambuIf it is an arrow, it is the arrow shot by Lord Rama
Female :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….Female :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….
Male :Appan peru jambu aiyyaanara nambuMale :Father's name is Jambu, trust Lord Ayyanaar
Female :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….Female :Aa…aa….aa….aaa….aa….aa….
Female
Jikku jikkuchaang kannaadiJikku jikkuchaang mirror
Singaara kannaadiBeautiful decorative mirror
Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuCoconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us
Male
Jikku jikkuchaang kannaadiJikku jikkuchaang mirror
Female :Aa….Female :Aa….
Male :Singaara kannaadiMale :Beautiful decorative mirror
Female :Aa….Female :Aa….
Male :Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththuMale :Coconut fronds and the gentle breeze
Jillunguthu munnaadiIs chilling right in front of us

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic duet from 'Karaiyai Thodatha Alaigal' (1985) combines lively rural folk rhythms with satirical political commentary. The male character lightheartedly expresses his plan to enter politics and gather bribes to achieve personal pleasure and prosperity. In response, the female character delivers a sharp rebuke, comparing his corrupt thoughts to a foul garbage truck and warning him that people will revolt against systemic dishonesty. She encourages hard work, national integrity, and standing by the underprivileged. Interspersed with traditional rhythmic refrains about cool breezes and coconut fronds, the song creates a dynamic dialogue between selfish ambition and social responsibility.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliteration (Monaai)

Thennang keeththu thendral kaaththu

Repetition of the 'Th' consonant sound across the words creates a gentle, breeze-like rhythm.

Metaphor

Um puththi kuppa lorry naaruthaiyaa

Compares corrupt and greedy thinking directly to a foul-smelling garbage lorry.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Therthalla nikka poren chella rani

Agreement of the second consonant 'r' across consecutive lines (Therthalla / Theruvellaam).

Onomatopoeia (Chanda Sol)

Jikku jikkuchaang jikku jikkuchaang

Use of rhythmic acoustic syllables 'Jikku jikkuchaang' to set a catchy folk dance tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Music director Chandrabose was known in the 1980s for combining energetic Tamil folk rhythm patterns with contemporary orchestral arrangements. Sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. P. Sailaja, this track serves as a classic example of social commentary embedded inside a commercial folk song.

Keep listening

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