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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaathada Pogira

From Valampuri Sangu · 1979

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Valampuri Sangu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaaththaada pogiraa kairasi moganaaThe charming woman with a lucky touch is going out to catch the breeze,
Paaththaakka manasu kedum iva peraLooking at her ruins one's mind, and hearing her name
Kettaakka mayakkam varumBrings a sense of dizziness.
Kann jaadaiyil yaedhetho kaatti vaipaaWith a gesture of her eyes, she hints at mysterious things,
Kannaala nankooram pottu vaippaa…And drops a heavy anchor with her gaze...
Male
Kaaththaada pogiraa kairasi moganaaThe charming woman with a lucky touch is going out to catch the breeze,
Paaththaakka manasu kedum iva peraLooking at her ruins one's mind, and hearing her name
Kettaakka mayakkam varumBrings a sense of dizziness.
Male
Meen koodai kaiyilae thaen koodu nenjilaeA fish basket in her hand, a honeycomb in her chest,
Irandukkum vilai irukkuBoth come with a price.
Thaeraattamaa rasaththi nadai irukkuThis queen walks grandly like a temple chariot procession,
Siru kaal nandaattam ivaHer small feet walk with crab-like agility,
Manasula ennadi kondaattamWhat kind of celebration is going on in her mind?
Male
Sendu melaada kondai keezhaadaThe perfume or flower ball sways above, her hair bun moves below,
Aadu asainju vaaraalaeSwaying gently, she comes walking along.
Iva silukku siththaada azhaikkum machchaanaHer silk garment invites her beloved,
Sirippaa virippaa silanthi valaiyaWill she weave a spider's web with her seductive smile?
Male
Kaaththaada pogiraa kairasi moganaaThe charming woman with a lucky touch is going out to catch the breeze,
Paaththaakka manasu kedum iva peraLooking at her ruins one's mind, and hearing her name
Kettaakka mayakkam varumBrings a sense of dizziness.
Male
Mangamaa raniyaam thangamthaan maeniyaamShe is like Queen Mangamma with a golden physique,
Vanthaalaam pozhuthoduShe arrives right on time,
Santhaiyilae viththaalaam karuvaaduTo sell dried fish in the local market.
Vaala meenundu kaiyalavilae vanjira meenunduThere is ribbonfish, hand-sized kingfish,
Male
Kendai meenundu keluththi menunnuThere is carp and catfish as well,
Alli koduppaa yaeraalamShe scoops up and offers them in abundance.
Iva kadalilum pogaama valaiyum podaamaWithout entering the sea or casting a net,
Karaiyil mael irunthae sariyaa pidippaaShe catches her prey standing right on the shore!
Male
Kaaththaada pogiraa kairasi moganaaThe charming woman with a lucky touch is going out to catch the breeze,
Paaththaakka manasu kedum iva peraLooking at her ruins one's mind, and hearing her name
Kettaakka mayakkam varumBrings a sense of dizziness.
Kann jaadaiyil yaedhetho kaatti vaipaaWith a gesture of her eyes, she hints at mysterious things,
Kannaala nankooram pottu vaippaaAnd drops a heavy anchor with her gaze.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil folk-pop track portrays a playful, teasing description of a captivating fish-seller woman. The singer describes her charm, beauty, and magnetic gaze that hooks passersby like fish without even throwing a net into the sea. Rich in vivid coastal imagery, the lyrics blend her everyday trade of selling fish with romantic metaphors of allure and queenly grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvagam)

Meen koodai kaiyilae thaen koodu nenjilae

Compares her heart/chest to a honeycomb ('thaen koodu') and her alluring eyes to an anchor ('nankooram') that hooks lovers.

Simile (Upamai)

Thaeraattamaa rasaththi nadai irukku

Compares her majestic gait to a moving temple chariot ('Thaeraattamaa').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Mangamaa raniyaam thangamthaan maeniyaam

The second consonant 'ng' rhymes between 'Mangamaa' and 'thangamthaan'.

Alliteration (Moonaikkal)

Kaaththaada pogiraa kairasi moganaa

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Valampuri Sangu' (1979) features music composed by Gangai Amaran during the golden era of 1970s Tamil film folk music. Singer Malaysia Vasudevan was renowned for delivering these energetic, expressive rustic character songs with distinct vocal inflections.

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