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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyana Sappadu Podum

From Thulasi Maadam · 1963

Lyricist
Trichy Thiyagarajan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thulasi Maadam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
Ullasa vaazhkai thodangum munnaeBefore a joyful life begins,
Ullasa vaazhkai thodangum munnaeBefore a joyful life begins,
Urimaiyaai anbodu azhaikattumaaMay I affectionately call you with full rights?
Female
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
Female
Vaasalil kattiya thoranam polLike the festoons tied at the doorway,
Varisaiyaai kaaikari vaikkattumaaShall I serve the vegetables arranged in a neat row?
Paasamudan sonna vaai inikkaTo sweeten the mouth that spoke loving words,
Payasam konjam oottratumaaShall I pour a little payasam?
Female
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
Female
Netri vervai thudaikattumaaShall I wipe the sweat off your forehead?
Nerungi nerungi amarattumaaShall I sit very close to you?
Pattu pudavai mundhanaiyaalWith the pallu of my silk saree,
Pakkathil irundhu veesattumaaShall I fan you from nearby?
Female
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Female
Vetkapadaama sapdungaPlease eat without feeling shy,
Yedhum venuminnaa ennai koopidungaCall me if you need anything,
Pakkathil thaanae kaathirukkenI am right beside you, waiting,
Naan pakkuvamaaga paathukkuvenI will take care of you attentively.
Female
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served,
En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaaMay I serve you food with my own hands?
Kalyaana saapaadu podum munnaeBefore the wedding feast is served.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this charming romantic song from Thulasi Maadam (1963), a young woman playfully and lovingly addresses her beloved before their formal wedding takes place. She expresses her deep affection by asking if she can personally serve him a meal, fan him with her silk saree, wipe the sweat from his brow, and tend to his every need. The lyrics blend traditional South Indian hospitality with intimate romance, highlighting her eagerness to care for him and step into their future life together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Vaasalil kattiya thoranam pol

Compares the neat row of vegetables served on the leaf to decorative festoons (thoranam) tied at a house entrance.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Nerungi nerungi amarattumaa

The repetition of 'nerungi' (closer) emphasizes the intimacy and warmth the heroine seeks.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

En kaiyaalae sappaadu podattumaa

Matching end sounds with '-attumaa' across multiple lines creates a melodic, rhythmic questioning cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Trichy Thiyagarajan, this solo song by S. Janaki showcases her signature sweet vocal expression, perfectly capturing the delicate pre-wedding romance characteristic of 1960s Tamil cinema.

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