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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalile Thandai Kalakalakka

From Manamulla Marutharam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
L. R. Eswari, G. Kasthuri
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manamulla Marutharam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaalilae thandai kalakalakkaWith anklets on feet jingling,
Kandaangi selai salasalakkaWith the Kandangi saree rustling,
Kaalilae thandai kalakalakkaWith anklets on feet jingling,
Kandaangi selai salasalakkaWith the Kandangi saree rustling,
Kaanbavar mansu jilujilukkaMaking the hearts of beholders feel cool and thrilled,
Kazhutha vettudi veeraayiTilt your neck and sway, Veeraayi!
Kaanbavar mansu jilujilukkaMaking the hearts of beholders feel cool and thrilled,
Kazhutha vettudi veeraayiTilt your neck and sway, Veeraayi!
Kazhutha vettudi veeraayiTilt your neck and sway, Veeraayi!
Female
Paalaiyum vedichu sirippathu polaLike a ripe cotton pod bursting open into a smile,
Pallin varisai palapalakkaWith your row of teeth gleaming bright,
Paalaiyum vedichu sirippathu polaLike a ripe cotton pod bursting open into a smile,
Pallin varisai palapalakkaWith your row of teeth gleaming bright,
Vaalai paruvam joli jolikkaWith youthful beauty shining splendidly,
Valainju aadadi ramayiBend gracefully and dance, Ramayi!
Vaalai paruvam joli jolikkaWith youthful beauty shining splendidly,
Valainju aadadi ramayiBend gracefully and dance, Ramayi!
Valainju aadadi ramayiBend gracefully and dance, Ramayi!
Female
Pambara kannai pakkuvamaaYour spinning top-like eyes skillfully,
Suzhattadi veeraayiTwirl them around, Veeraayi!
Pambara kannai pakkuvamaaYour spinning top-like eyes skillfully,
Suzhattadi veeraayiTwirl them around, Veeraayi!
Female
Oru paarvai paaru puthupaattu paaduCast a charming look and sing a fresh song,
Antha pakkam neeyum poyiYou go over to that side as well,
Oru paarvai paaru puthupaattu paaduCast a charming look and sing a fresh song,
Antha pakkam neeyum poyiYou go over to that side as well,
Female
Unnai paakka kooduvaangaCrowds will assemble to watch you,
Female :Panam kaasa poduvaangaFemale : They will throw money and coins!
Female :Unnai paakka kooduvaangaFemale : Crowds will assemble to watch you,
Female :Panam kaasa poduvaangaFemale : They will throw money and coins!
Female
Kazhutha vettudi veeraayiTilt your neck and sway, Veeraayi!
Female
Valainju aadadi ramayiBend gracefully and dance, Ramayi!
Female
Kumbalum angae samuthiram polThe crowd over there like a vast ocean,
Kooduthu ramayiIs gathering together, Ramayi!
Kumbalum angae samuthiram polThe crowd over there like a vast ocean,
Kooduthu ramayiIs gathering together, Ramayi!
Female
Puthu gummi paattu onnu paadi aaduSing a new Kummi folk song and dance,
Antha pakkam neeyum poyiYou go over to that side as well,
Puthu gummi paattu onnu paadi aaduSing a new Kummi folk song and dance,
Antha pakkam neeyum poyiYou go over to that side as well,
Female
Unnai paakka kooduvaangaCrowds will assemble to watch you,
Female :Panam kaasa poduvaangaFemale : They will throw money and coins!
Female :Unnai paakka kooduvaangaFemale : Crowds will assemble to watch you,
Female :Panam kaasa poduvaangaFemale : They will throw money and coins!
Female
Kazhutha vettudi veeraayiTilt your neck and sway, Veeraayi!
Female
Valainju aadadi ramayiBend gracefully and dance, Ramayi!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lively folk song features a celebratory dance dialogue encouraging two dancers, Veeraayi and Ramayi, to captivate the gathering crowd with their graceful movements, bright smiles, and rhythmic folk singing. The lyricist vividly describes their traditional attire, sound of jingling anklets, rustling Kandangi sarees, and mesmerising expressions that charm all onlookers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeia)

Kaalilae thandai kalakalakka

Use of paired rhythm-building words like 'kalakalakka' (jingling sound), 'salasalakka' (rustling sound), and 'palapalakka' (glowing/gleaming).

Upamai (Simile)

Paalaiyum vedichu sirippathu pola

Comparing a bright smile exposing a neat row of teeth to a bursting cotton pod (paalai vedichu sirippathu pola).

Upamai (Simile)

Kumbalum angae samuthiram pol

Comparing the massive gathering of people to a vast ocean (samuthiram pol).

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Pambara kannai pakkuvamaa

Comparing active, spinning eyes to a top (pambara kannai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1958 Tamil film 'Manamulla Marutharam', this track features early playback vocals by L. R. Eswari alongside G. Kasthuri, capturing classic Tamil rural folk rhythm and dance form (Kummi).

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