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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadaiya Konjam Thorakkuriya

From Ithu Engal Neethi · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ithu Engal Neethi1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haei kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaHey, will you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Un kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Male
Edukkuthu edukkuthu edukkuthu pasi yaeppamBurps of hunger are coming, coming, coming,
Suda suda suda suda koduththidu rushi paappomGive it piping hot, hot, hot, hot, let us taste the flavor!
Virunthaali varumpothuWhen a guest arrives,
Adi ammaa kannu moodaathaeHey girl, don't close your eyes!
Chorus
Kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Un kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Male
Unnaattam Chinna kuttiA young girl like you,
Suttu podum dosaithaanThe dosa that you make,
Thinnaakkaa ellaarukkumIf eaten, for everyone,
Thookki nikkum meesathaanTheir mustache will stand up with pride!
Male
Kannae un kai valichchaaMy dear, if your hands hurt,
Naan irukkaen maavaattaI am here to grind the batter,
Killaadi payalunnuSo that even the grinding stone praises me,
Aattu kallum paaraattaCalling me a clever lad!
Male
Enna podi pottaeWhat magic powder did you sprinkle on us?
Chorus :Iththana per yaengaChorus: Why are so many people yearning?
Male :Onna thaedi vaaromMale: We come searching for you!
Chorus :Niththam niiththam naangaChorus: Every single day, we...
Male :Ninaikkaiyil manam inikkuthuMale: Just thinking about it makes the heart feel sweet,
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus: Hae hae hae hae
Male :Naakkula echchi ooruthuMale: My mouth is watering!
Chorus :Haa haa haaChorus: Haa haa haa
Male
Ninaikkaiyil manam inikkuthuJust thinking about it makes the heart feel sweet,
Naakkula echchi ooruthuMy mouth is watering!
Soodu parakka suvaiyum irukkaSteaming hot and full of taste,
Thinnaa rompa kondaattamEating it brings great joy and celebration!
Chorus
Kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Un kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Male
Edukkuthu edukkuthu edukkuthuGetting, getting, getting...
Chorus :Pasi yaeppamChorus: Burps of hunger!
Male :Suda suda suda suda koduththiduMale: Give it hot, hot, hot, hot!
Chorus :Rushi paappomChorus: Let us taste it!
Male :Virunthaali varumpothuMale: When a guest arrives,
Adi ammaa kannu moodaathaeHey girl, don't close your eyes!
Chorus
Kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Male :AmmammoiMale: Ammammoi!
Chorus :Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaChorus: Will you make and give us some appam?
Chorus
………………...
Male
Onnaaga vanthomadi moonu perum koottaaliWe three friends came together, dear,
Mann mela vervath thuli sinthugira paattaaliHardworking laborers shedding sweat drops on the soil!
Male
Anbe un aappam thinnaaMy love, if we eat your appam,
Thembu varum thannaalaStrength comes automatically on its own!
Thengaa paal ooththi konjamPour some coconut milk,
Thatta vayi munnaalaAnd place the plate right in front of us!
Male
Anju paththu paakkiFive or ten rupees in debt,
Chorus :Vechchathilla naangaChorus: We have never left unpaid!
Male :Paakki vechcha kadaiyaMale: A shop that keeps dues unpaid,
Chorus : Paakka maattom naangaChorus: We won't even look at!
Male :Kadaiya edhukku adaikkiraMale: Why are you closing the shop?
Chorus :Hae hae haeChorus: Hae hae hae
Male :Vidumura onnu kodukkuraMale: Giving us a holiday?
Chorus :Hae hae haeChorus: Hae hae hae
Male
Kadaiya edhukku adaikkiraWhy are you closing the shop?
Vidumura onnu kodukkuraGiving us a holiday?
Sunday monday onakku edhukkuWhy do you need Sunday or Monday?
Ellaa naalum one day thaan…..Every day is just 'one day' for us...
Chorus
Kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Un kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaWill you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Male
Edukkuthu edukkuthu edukkuthuGetting, getting, getting...
Chorus :Pasi yaeppamChorus: Burps of hunger!
Male :Suda suda suda suda koduththiduMale: Give it hot, hot, hot, hot!
Chorus :Rushi paappomChorus: Let us taste it!
Male :Virunthaali varumpothuMale: When a guest arrives,
Adi ammaa kannu moodaathaeHey girl, don't close your eyes!
Chorus
Hei kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaHey, will you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?
Hei kadaiya konjam thorakkuriyaaHey, will you open your shop a little?
Aappam suttu kodukkuriyaaWill you make and give us some appam?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kadaiya Konjam Thorakkuriyaa is a lively, upbeat folk-pop track from the 1988 Tamil film 'Ithu Engal Neethi', composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vaali. The song presents a playful, energetic interaction between working-class laborers and a local eatery shop owner. Driven by Malaysia Vasudevan's dynamic vocal delivery, the protagonists humorously beg the young woman to open her eatery and serve them hot appams and dosas to fuel their hard workday. Through clever double entendre, lighthearted banter, and vivid descriptions of South Indian street food culture, the lyrics celebrate the simplicity and joy of daily labor. The song highlights themes of camaraderie among working men, fair trade (paying debts promptly), and finding delight in fresh, hot food served with warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodai (Repetition)

Suda suda suda suda koduththidu rushi paappom

Repetition of words like 'suda suda' (piping hot) and 'edukkuthu edukkuthu' creates rhythmic emphasis and reflects urgent hunger.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Onnaaga vanthomadi moonu perum koottaali / Mann mela vervath thuli sinthugira paattaali

The second consonant 'nn' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Onnaaga' / 'Mann mela'), providing musical structure characteristic of classical and folk Tamil verse.

Hyperbole / Folk Humor

Thinnaakkaa ellaarukkum / Thookki nikkum meesathaan

Exaggerating the effect of eating a delicious dosa by saying it makes everyone's mustache stand proud with strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ithu Engal Neethi' (1988) was directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and featured Ramki and Radhika. The track highlights Ilaiyaraaja's mastery in infusing brass elements and catchy accordion hooks into raw Tamil folk rhythms, paired perfectly with Malaysia Vasudevan's robust voice and Vaali's earthy, colloquial lyricism.

Keep listening

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