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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyaana Ponnirukku

From Nalla Thambi · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nalla Thambi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalyaana ponnirukkuThe bride is ready
Maappillaiyum kaathirukkuThe groom is waiting too
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Female
Kalyaana ponnirukkuThe bride is ready
Maappillaiyum kaathirukkuThe groom is waiting too
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Male
Kalyaana ponnirukkuThe bride is ready
Maappillaiyum kaathirukkuThe groom is waiting too
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Female
Haaa…..Haaa...
Haaa…haaa….haa…Haaa...haaa...haa...
Male
Koiyaadha koiyaa pazhamAn unpicked guava fruit
Nee therinjukka ippodhu aiyaa balamYou will understand this man's strength now
Female :Haan haaFemale: Haan haa
Male :Koiyaadha koiyaa pazhamMale: An unpicked guava fruit
Nee therinjukka ippodhu aiyaa balamYou will understand this man's strength now
Female
Hae thaangaadhaiyaaHey, it cannot bear it
En maeni thaanMy body itself
Unnoda naan jodi thaanI am a pair with you
Thaangaadhaiyaa en maeni thaanMy body cannot bear it
Unnoda naan jodi thaanI am a pair with you
Male
Koduthaa neraiyumIt fills when given
Thudikkira manasuThe throbbing heart
Kulirum kuraiyumThe chillness will fade
Anaikkira pozhudhuAt the moment of embrace
Female
Potta kozhi sevalodaThe hen with the rooster
Thottukkittu ottikkittuTouching and clinging together
Mutham onnu vekka pogudhuIs going to give a kiss
HaaaaHaaaa
Male
Kalyaana ponnirukkuThe bride is ready
Female :Maappillaiyum kaathirukkuFemale: The groom is waiting too
Male :Eppodhu kalyaanamFemale :HaaMale: When is the wedding? Female: Haa
Male :Pippi pee dumdum dumdumMale: Sound of wedding music playing
Female :HaaFemale: Haa
Eppodhu kalyaanamWhen is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Female
Mel logamThe heavenly world
Boologam thaanIs on earth itself
Kai anaippila munnaadiIn an embrace before
Naanum kandenI too saw it
Female
Hae mel logamHey, the heavenly world
Boologam thaanIs on earth itself
Kai anaippila munnaadiIn an embrace before
Naanum kandenI too saw it
Male
Maamaa magaFemale :HaaCousin girl Female: Haa
Male :Nee thaanammaaFemale :HaaMale: You are the one, dear Female: Haa
Male :Maappilla naan thaanammaaMale: I am the groom, dear
Female :Haa haaFemale: Haa haa
Male :Maamaa magaFemale :HahahaMale: Cousin girl Female: Hahaha
Male :Nee thaanammaaFemale :HaaMale: You are the one, dear Female: Haa
Male :Maappilla naan thaanammaaMale: I am the groom, dear
Female
Manasa izhuthaPulling the heart
Manmadha raajaaOh King of Love
Mayangi irukku onakkunnu rojaaThe rose is swooning just for you
Male
Kattai nalla naattu kattaA fine local beauty
En kitta nee maattikkittaYou got caught with me
Naala paaru melatha thattaLook at the auspicious day to beat the drums
Haa haa haaHaa haa haa
Female
Kalyaana ponnirukkuThe bride is ready
Male :Maappillaiyum kaathirukkuMale: The groom is waiting too
Female :Eppodhu kalyaanamFemale: When is the wedding?
Pippi pee dumdum dumdumSound of wedding music playing
Male :EppodhuFemale :HaaMale: When Female: Haa
Male :KalyaanamFemale :HaaMale: Wedding Female: Haa
Male :Pippi pee dumdum dumdumMale: Sound of wedding music playing
Female :Haaa…..Female: Haaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from the movie Nalla Thambi (1985) captures the joyous and romantic exchange between a young couple eagerly anticipating their wedding day. They tease each other using earthy metaphors of rural life and physical intimacy, expressing their mutual passion and desire to unite in marriage. The recurring refrain 'Pippi pee dumdum dumdum' rhythmically mimics the traditional sound of nadaswaram and thavil instruments played during Tamil weddings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia

Pippi pee dumdum dumdum

The vocalization 'Pippi pee dumdum dumdum' mimics the sound of traditional Tamil wedding instruments, the Nadaswaram and Thavil.

Metaphor

Koiyaadha koiyaa pazham

Comparing the maiden to an unplucked guava fruit ('Koiyaadha koiyaa pazham') symbolizing youth and untouched beauty.

Imagery / Rhyme

Thottukkittu ottikkittu

The usage of 'Thottukkittu ottikkittu' creates rhythmic, physical imagery of closeness and touch through rhyming Tamil verbal participles.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song uses folk-style onomatopoeic refrains designed to evoke immediate festive imagery of a rural South Indian wedding ceremony.

Keep listening

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