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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jorana Bommai

From Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
P. Aadhinarayana Rao
Details
Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Humming ….(Humming….)
Female
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!
Engum peraana bommai paarungaLook at these famous dolls praised everywhere!
Vaarum en thambhimaarae vaanga en thangaimaaraeCome my brothers, come my sisters!
Vandhae vilai kelunghoCome and ask for the price!
Hoooo ooHoooo oo
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!
Engum peraana bommai paarungaLook at these famous dolls praised everywhere!
Vaarum en thambhimaarae vaanga en thangaimaaraeCome my brothers, come my sisters!
Vandhae vilai kelunghoCome and ask for the price!
Hoooo ooHoooo oo
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!
Female
Soorathimman pollaadha veerasimmanSoorathimman and the mighty Veerasimman,
Kallaana kattabommanThe rock-like Kattabomman,
Ellorum vandhu paarungaEveryone come and take a look!
Soorathimman pollaadha veerasimmanSoorathimman and the mighty Veerasimman,
Kallaana kattabommanThe rock-like Kattabomman,
Ellorum vandhu paarungaEveryone come and take a look!
Indha raadha krishnan bommaikkueededhuingaWhat can match this Radha-Krishna doll?
Ranganathar vendraal thunbam nadathungaIf you gain Lord Ranganathar, your distress will vanish!
Vilai rendae kaal pananthaan oodathingaThe price is only two and a quarter coins, do not run away!
Vaanga vaanga ye aiyaamaareCome, come, oh respected gentlemen!
Vaanga vaanga ammamaaraeCome, come, oh respected ladies!
Vandhae vilai kelungaCome and ask for the price!
Hoooo ooHoooo oo
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!
Female
Amma pola pennu kettaAsking for a bride who resembles mother,
Aanai mugam bommaeIs the elephant-faced Ganesha doll!
Appavukku mandhiram sonnaTeaching the sacred mantra to his father,
Aarumugam bommaeIs the six-faced Murugan doll!
Amma pola pennu kettaAsking for a bride who resembles mother,
Aanai mugam bommaeIs the elephant-faced Ganesha doll!
Appavukku mandhiram sonnaTeaching the sacred mantra to his father,
Aarumugam bommaeIs the six-faced Murugan doll!
Female
Andha konarum vaanghi ponarunghoThat Konar bought one and went away,
Avar koottaliyum vaanghi ponaarungaHis companion also bought one and went away!
Thalai ponalum poi solla mattenungaEven if I lose my head, I will not tell a lie!
Vaanga vaanga ye aiyaamaareCome, come, oh respected gentlemen!
Vaanga vaanga ammamaaraeCome, come, oh respected ladies!
Vandhae vilai kelungaCome and ask for the price!
Hoooo ooHoooo oo
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!
Female
Yerai pidichi yengi yengiHolding the plow and living with longing,
Vaazhndhidum thozhilaaliIs the hardworking laborer,
Ivar thaanunga mudhalaaliAnd this one right here is the owner!
Rendu perum onnu serndhaIf both of them unite together,
Yedhungha pagaiyaaliWhere is the scope for enemies?
Female
Sirpa silayaalae vaazhnthidum oorthaanungaThis is a town that thrives on sculpted stone statues,
Sirpa silayaalae vaazhnthidum oorthaanungaThis is a town that thrives on sculpted stone statues,
Andha kalaiyae poorvigha perthaanunghaThat art itself is its ancient hereditary pride!
Vaanga vaanga Vaarum en thambhimaarae vaanga en thangaimaaraeCome, come, come my brothers, come my sisters!
Vandhae vilai kelunghoCome and ask for the price!
Hoooo ooHoooo oo
Joraana bommai paarungaLook at these splendid dolls!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1957 Tamil film 'Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam' is a vibrant folk vendor song sung by P. Susheela. The character invites townspeople—brothers, sisters, gentlemen, and ladies—to look at and purchase handcrafted dolls representing iconic mythological, historical, and social figures. Beyond being a street vendor's pitch, the lyrics weave humor, mythological lore, cultural pride, and social commentary, highlighting the craftsmanship of local sculptors and advocating unity between laborers and owners.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Joraana bommai paarunga / Engum peraana bommai paarunga

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythm ('ra' sound).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaanga vaanga ye aiyaamaare / Vaanga vaanga ammamaarae

Rhyming endings in vendor callouts.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vaanga vaanga ye aiyaamaare

Repetition of welcoming phrases typical of street vendor songs.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by P. Adinarayana Rao and sung by P. Susheela, 'Joraana bommai paarunga' stands as an iconic example of 1950s Tamil cinema street vendor folk tunes. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass seamlessly embedded social unity messages alongside references to local sculpture traditions.

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