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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kai Naraiya Kannadi

From Attu · 2017

Lyricist
Yuki Praveen
Singers
Hyde Karty, Sindhal Sedhu
Music director
Bobo Shashi
Details
Attu2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hei Kai neraya kannadiHey, hands full of glass
Valaiyal saththamThe jingling sound of bangles
En kanavula kannathulaIn my dream, on my cheek
Thaariyae muththamYou give me a kiss
Male
Indha areavil yaarum illaIn this entire area, there is no one
Pennae unnaattamO girl, quite like you
Indha areavil yaarum illaIn this entire area, there is no one
Pennae unnaattamO girl, quite like you
Nee asathuriyae hindi padamYou stun everyone like a Hindi movie
Heroin-aattamHeroine
Male
Kolusu gulpu kaattudhuThe anklet shows off its charm
Valayal valachi poduthuThe bangles bend and encircle me
Dhinusa retta sadaiUniquely styled double braids
Pinnal katti ilukkudhuTies me up and pulls me towards you
Male
Mookkuthi morachi paakkuthuThe nose-pin glares fiercely at me
Jimikki aattam poduthuThe dangling earring sways and dances
Thalukkaa neththi pottuThe shiny bindi on your forehead
Enna suttu thalludhuShoots me down completely
Male
Color-u milk-u white-u maHer skin color is milk white, my dear
Kannan tubelight-u maaKannan is glowing like a tubelight, my dear
Udhadu halwa sweetu maaHer lips are sweet as halwa, my dear
Moththamaa enakku kedaikkumaa…Will I get all of her entirely for myself?
Chorus
Sokka sonna poStunned by her charm, just go away
Male
Aathen abaesh pannitaaShe snatched and swiped my heart away
Sharpaa saanaa pudichituaaSharpened sharply like a honed blade
Salpi mittaayathaanA simple candy sweet
Gulphi ice-a aakkittaaShe transformed into a rich kulfi ice cream
Male
Hei Kai neraya kannadiHey, hands full of glass
Valaiyal saththamThe jingling sound of bangles
En kanavula kannathulaIn my dream, on my cheek
Thaariyae muththamYou give me a kiss
Male
Indha areavil yaarum illaIn this entire area, there is no one
Pennae unnaattamO girl, quite like you
Nee asathuriyae hindi padamYou stun everyone like a Hindi movie
Heroin-aattamHeroine

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk track from the film 'Attu' expresses the protagonist's deep infatuation with a local girl, sung in authentic Madras Baashai (North Chennai slang). He vividly describes her traditional adornments—including her bangles, anklets, nose-ring, earrings, forehead bindi, and double braids—playfully claiming that every single piece of her jewelry mesmerizes and overwhelms him. He praises her fair complexion and sweetness, metaphorically elevating her beauty to that of a Hindi cinema actress who turns his simple world upside down.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nee asathuriyae hindi padam Heroin-aattam

Compares the girl's dazzling presence to that of a Bollywood heroine ('Hindi padam Heroin-aattam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Udhadu halwa sweetu maa

Compares the sweetness of her lips directly to halwa ('Udhadu halwa sweetu maa').

Personification

Mookkuthi morachi paakkuthu Jimikki aattam poduthu

Attributes human actions to ornaments, such as the nose-ring staring fiercely ('Mookkuthi morachi paakkuthu') and earrings dancing ('Jimikki aattam poduthu').

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Valayal valachi poduthu / Pinnal katti ilukkudhu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'la' across successive lines ('Valayal' / 'Pinnal').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Attu' (2017) is a gritty Tamil drama directed by Rathan Linga set in North Chennai. Although listed as unknown in some song metadata, the film's soundtrack was composed by Bobo Shashi, and the lyrics liberally use 'Madras Baashai' local slang terms such as 'abaesh' (snatched/stolen) and 'gulpu' (charm/style).

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