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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jilla Asanthu Nikkum

From MGR Magan · 2020

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Meenakshi Elayaraja
Music director
Anthony Daasan
Details
MGR Magan2020

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Jilla asandhu nikkumThe entire district will stand stunned
Silukoda chithi ponnuShe is the cousin of Silk (Smitha)
Nalla udukku adichaIf you play the drum beat well
Unakku naan aththai ponnuI am your cousin
Ooru sanam koodi ninnaWhen the village people gather around
Uthamiya pol iruppenI will behave like a virtuous woman
Othaiyila neeyum vandhaIf you come alone in solitude
Motha kadhai naan padippenI will recite the entire story
Motha kadhai naan padippenI will recite the entire story
Female
Jilla asandhu nikkumThe entire district will stand stunned
Silukoda chithi ponnuShe is the cousin of Silk (Smitha)
Nalla udukku adichaIf you play the drum beat well
Unakku naan aththai ponnuI am your cousin
Ooru sanam koodi ninnaWhen the village people gather around
Uthamiya pol iruppenI will behave like a virtuous woman
Othaiyila neeyum vandhaIf you come alone in solitude
Motha kadhai naan padippenI will recite the entire story
Female
Pattasu vangan naanumI didn't go here and there
Anga inga ponadhillaiTo purchase firecrackers
Aana naan mathappunuYet in Sivakasi there is talk
Sivagasiyil pechirukkenThat I am like a sparkler
Neiyaana neiya vangaTo buy pure clarified ghee
Uththukuli ponadhillaiI haven't gone to Uthukuli
Aana naan vennayinumYet whole Mylapore waits for me
Mailapuru kaathirukkenCalling me smooth butter
Female
Marikozhunthu vanga naanumTo purchase sweet marjoram flowers
Mamadurai ponadhillaiI haven't gone to Madurai
Aana en vaasathillaiYet in my natural fragrance
Javvathumae koothurukkaeEven civet perfume dances with envy
Aathula naan mungayilaWhen I dip in the river water
Meenum thalli poguthammaEven the fish step aside in awe
Ambalaga kannu mattumOnly the eyes of the village headman
Kandapadi meiyuthammaGraze upon me endlessly without restraint
Female
Jilla asandhu nikkumThe entire district will stand stunned
Silukoda chithi ponnuShe is the cousin of Silk (Smitha)
Nalla udukku adichaIf you play the drum beat well
Unakku naan aththai ponnuI am your cousin
Female
Kattantharaiyila naanOn the bare hard ground
Sikku kolam pottadhillaiI haven't drawn intricate rangoli patterns
Aana en kannukullaYet inside my eyes
Color-u pola nooru irukkaeThere are a hundred vibrant colors
Aarupadai ayyanukkuTo the Lord Murugan of the six abodes
Maavizhakku pottadhillaiI haven't offered flour lamps
Aana naan kettathellamYet there is someone ready to shower
Alli thara aalu irukkaeWhatever I ask for in abundance
Female
Azhagan sittu naanumBeing a pretty young bird myself
Poomalai pottadhillaiI haven't woven flower garlands
Aana en thozh sehraYet to join my shoulders
Aayiram poo poothirukkaeA thousand flowers have bloomed
Koda idu koyilyammaOh temple where the festival happens!
Koothedukka en pozhappuDancing in the festival is my livelihood
Koodi neenga nikkayilaWhen you all stand gathered together
Angam ellam pul arippuMy whole body gets goosebumps
Female
Jilla asandhu nikkumThe entire district will stand stunned
Silukoda chithi ponnuShe is the cousin of Silk (Smitha)
Nalla udukku adichaIf you play the drum beat well
Unakku naan aththai ponnu….I am your cousin...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Jilla Asandhu Nikkum' is a lively and seductive Tamil folk track sung from the perspective of a charismatic village woman boasting about her beauty, charm, and fame. She compares herself to famous regional specialities across Tamil Nadu—such as Sivakasi sparklers, Uthukuli ghee, and Madurai marikolundhu flowers—stating that while she never had to travel to these places, her glamour naturally eclipses them. She teasingly warns her lover that while she acts prim and proper in public, she is open and playful in private.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Aana naan mathappunu Sivagasiyil pechirukken

The singer compares her glowing beauty to Sivakasi sparklers ('Mathappu') and smooth butter ('Vennai').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Uthamiya pol iruppen / Othaiyila neeyum vandha

Rhyming of the second letter 'th' across consecutive lines ('Uthamiya' / 'Othaiyila').

Hyperbole (Adukyani)

Aathula naan mungayila Meenum thalli poguthamma

Exaggeration that even river fish move aside out of respect/awe when she takes a bath.

Cultural Allusion

Neiyaana neiya vanga Uththukuli ponadhillai

References iconic Tamil regional pride landmarks such as Sivakasi crackers, Uthukuli ghee, Madurai flowers, and Mylapore.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Anthony Daasan for the movie MGR Magan (2021), this song highlights traditional folk rhythms blended with energetic vocals by Meenakshi Ilaiyaraja. The lyrics written by Yugabharathi subtly pay homage to the legendary actress Silk Smitha while showcasing iconic cultural markers of various towns in Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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