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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalamellam Parthathundu

From Vani Rani · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vani Rani1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaalam ellaam paarthadhunduI have seen all through the ages
Kadhaigalilae kettadhunduI have heard in stories
Kandadhundaa ippadi or pombalaHave you ever seen such a woman?
Idha kaanalainnaa neenga enna aambalaIf you don't watch this, what kind of man are you?
Male
Kaalam ellaam paarthadhunduI have seen all through the ages
Kadhaigalilae kettadhunduI have heard in stories
Kandadhundaa ippadi or pombalaHave you ever seen such a woman?
Idha kaanalainnaa neenga enna aambalaIf you don't watch this, what kind of man are you?
Male
Malliga poo pol irukkum sirippuHer smile is like a jasmine flower
Idha vaada paakka vandheengannaa neruppuIf you come to smell her, she is fire
Malliga poo pol irukkum sirippuHer smile is like a jasmine flower
Idha vaada paakka vandheengannaa neruppuIf you come to smell her, she is fire
Thulliyamaa thala thalatha odambuA perfectly shapely and supple body
Idha thotteengannaa kotti vidum erumbuIf you touch it, ants will sting you
Thaa thaiyaa haa thaka thaiyaaThaa thaiyaa haa thaka thaiyaa
Thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaaThaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa
Female
Kaalam ellaam paarthadhunduI have seen all through the ages
Kadhaigalilae kettadhunduI have heard in stories
Kandadhundaa ippadi or pombalaHave you ever seen such a woman?
Idha kaanalainnaa neenga enna aambalaIf you don't watch this, what kind of man are you?
Female
Aasaiyilae manaiviyai paarungaLook at your wife with desire
Adutha veettu ponnu kitta yaenungaWhy look at the girl in the next house?
Ada aasaiyilae manaiviyai paarungaOh look at your wife with desire
Adutha veettu ponnu kitta yaenungaWhy look at the girl in the next house?
Meesaiyilae dye ya konjam podungaApply some dye to your mustache
Neenga veerarunna aattam mattum paarungaIf you are brave men, just watch the dance
Male
Kattazhaga vetti vetti aadi mudippaaShe will dance, cutting through with great beauty
Rendu kannukkullae boomiyaiyae pottu adaippaaShe will trap the world inside her two eyes
Kattazhaga vetti vetti aadi mudippaaShe will dance, cutting through with great beauty
Rendu kannukkullae boomiyaiyae pottu adaippaaShe will trap the world inside her two eyes
Kottugindra vaarthaiylae thaenai vadippaaIn the words she pours, she distills honey
Sutri koodugindra koottathukku bodhai koduppaaShe gives intoxication to the gathering crowd
Female
Haa thaa thaiyaa haa thaka thaiyaaHaa thaa thaiyaa haa thaka thaiyaa
Thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaaThaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa thaa thaiyaa thaka thaiyaa
Male
Kaalam ellaam paarthadhunduI have seen all through the ages
Female :Kadhaigalilae kettadhunduFemale: I have heard in stories
Male :Kandadhundaa ippadi or pombalaMale: Have you ever seen such a woman?
Female :Idha kaanalainnaa neenga enna aambalaFemale: If you don't watch this, what kind of man are you?
Female
Palliyilae vithai karkka mudiyalaeI couldn't learn arts at school
Pasiyai theerkka vazhiyum onnum theriyalaeI knew no way to satisfy my hunger
Palliyilae vithai karkka mudiyalaeI couldn't learn arts at school
Pasiyai theerkka vazhiyum onnum theriyalaeI knew no way to satisfy my hunger
Aadugindra vithai kaatta vandhaaruHe came to showcase the art of dance
En azhagai kaatti kaasu saethu kondaaruHe earned money by showing off my beauty
Male
En thiramai unakku enna puriyudhuWhat do you understand of my talent?
Naan eduthadhellaam nalladhaaga mudiyudhuEverything I took up turned out well
Enna paakka ulagamellaam theraludhuThe whole world gathers to see me
Ada ivanukku mel aalillaennu pugazhudhuThey praise that there is no one greater than him
Female
Kai thattum jananglai nee paaraiyaaLook at the people clapping hands
En kannukkaaga thatturaanga kaelaiyaaListen, they are clapping for my eyes
Kai thattum jananglai nee paaraiyaaLook at the people clapping hands
En kannukkaaga thatturaanga kaelaiyaaListen, they are clapping for my eyes
Male
Sabaiyilae naan vandhaalae kai thattuWhen I come onto the stage, applause erupts
Idhil sandai enna neranju pochu pana thattuWhy fight over this when the collection plate is overflowing?
Male
Kaalam ellaam paarthadhunduI have seen all through the ages
Female :Kadhaigalilae kettadhunduFemale: I have heard in stories
Both :Kandadhundaa ippadi or pombalaBoth: Have you ever seen such a woman?
Idha kaanalainnaa neenga enna aambalaIf you don't watch this, what kind of man are you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively and provocative dance duet from the movie Vani Rani (1974). The lyrics playfully tease the male audience while celebrating the dancer's beauty, charm, and magnetic presence on stage. It addresses themes of desire, performative art, social banter, and the financial reality of street and stage performances where talent and allure captivate spectators.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Malliga poo pol irukkum sirippu

Compares the dancer's soft smile to a jasmine flower ('Malliga poo pol irukkum sirippu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idha vaada paakka vandheengannaa neruppu

Metaphorically describes the dancer as fire ('neruppu') to indicate danger and boundary when approached closely.

Hyperbole (Uvarchi)

Rendu kannukkullae boomiyaiyae pottu adaippaa

Exaggerates the dancer's power by saying she traps the entire world inside her eyes.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Etukai)

Kaalam ellaam paarthadhundu

Uses internal rhyming and rhythmic repetition of syllables across lines ('paarthadhundu', 'kettadhundu').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vani Rani' (1974) features Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri in lead roles, adapted from the Hindi movie 'Seeta Aur Geeta'. Music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by the acclaimed poet Kannadasan.

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