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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kamatchi Meenatchi

From Muthal Iravu · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Muthal Iravu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Tharaanaa tharaanananaa… tharaanaa naa…Tharaanaa tharaanananaa… tharaanaa naa…
Male
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?
Chorus
Azhagu ponnae azhagu ponnaeBeautiful girl, beautiful girl,
Pazhaiya muthammaaMy old Muthamma!
Avasaramaa onnu seiyi saela kattammaaDo one thing urgently, wear a saree, my lady!
Pallikkoodam vitta pinnae veettukku vaamaaAfter school gets over, come home,
Paadam onnu solli thaaraen kaettukkalaamaaI will teach you a lesson, will you listen to it?
Male
Hae…Hey…
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?
Male
Aambala rangammaa nee enna singamaaAre you a masculine woman? What, are you a lion?
Meesaiya paarumaa mogathinilaeLook at the mustache on that face!
Apple mookkammaa azhagula shokkammaaAn apple-like nose, shocked by such beauty!
Vaa indha pakkamaa vetkam illaeCome to this side, don't be shy!
College lae aa enna padichaeAh, what did you study in college?
All age pochammaa vayasinilaeAll your youth is passing away in age!
Kannaadi podum munnae kaal kattu pottukkoBefore you have to wear spectacles, get tied in marriage!
Male
Hae… haehaeHey… haehae
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?
Male
Podavaiya katti vai kunguma pottu vaiDrape a saree and wear a bindi,
Malligai mottu vai azhagirukkumAdorn jasmine buds, it will look beautiful!
Pombala enbadhai nabura maadhiriChange your walk so that people believe you are a woman,
Nadaiya maathikko sogam irukkumOr else there will be sorrow!
Aattukkutti nadappadhai polLike a little goat walking,
Aadaadhae asaiyaadhae adi mayilaeDon't shake and sway, my peacock!
Naan oru aambala nee oru pombalaI am a man and you are a woman,
Male
Hae..Hey..
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?
Male
Kozhiaya vettuvaen biriyaani thattuvaenI will slaughter a chicken and serve biryani,
Kokkarakko paadudhae vayithukkullaIt's crowing 'cock-a-doodle-doo' inside my stomach!
BA padippula okkaandha edathulaIn BA studies, sitting in the same place,
Ezhettu varushamaa nagaravillaYou haven't moved for seven or eight years!
Idaiyum illae kazhuthum illaeYou have no waist, nor a neck,
Endha oorappaa neeyum theriyavillaeMan, which town are you from? No one knows!
Elumbundu sadhai illa exchange pannikkoYou have bones but no flesh, go exchange it!
Male
Hae… haehaeHey… haehae
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?
Chorus
Azhagu ponnae azhagu ponnaeBeautiful girl, beautiful girl,
Pazhaiya muthammaaMy old Muthamma!
Avasaramaa onnu seiyi saela kattammaaDo one thing urgently, wear a saree, my lady!
Pallikkoodam vitta pinnae veettukku vaamaaAfter school gets over, come home,
Paadam onnu solli thaaraen kaettukkalaamaaI will teach you a lesson, will you listen to it?
Male
Hae… hae…Hey… hae…
Kaamaatchi meenaatchiO Kamatchi, Meenakshi,
Kalyaanam pannalaamaaShall we get married?
Vaadiyammaa raajaatthiCome along, my queen,
Raajaangam pannalaamaaShall we rule over our kingdom?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and humorous track from the 1979 film Muthal Iravu features lighthearted teasing and romantic banter. The protagonist humorously addresses a headstrong woman named Kamatchi/Meenakshi, teasing her about her tomboyish demeanor, unconventional fashion, and academic struggles, while playfully proposing marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Etukai (Monai & Etukai)

Kaamaatchi meenaatchi / Kalyaanam pannalaamaa

The song makes use of internal and end rhymes like 'Kaamaatchi meenaatchi' and 'pannalaamaa / pannalaamaa', creating a playful, rhythmic cadence suitable for a comedy song.

Metaphor / Simile (Upamai)

Aattukkutti nadappadhai pol / Aadaadhae asaiyaadhae adi mayilae

The lyrics compare the girl's walk to a goat's movement ('Aattukkutti nadappadhai pol') and address her poetically as a peacock ('adi mayilae'), blending playful insult with affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Muthal Iravu' (1979) was directed by G. N. Rangarajan and starred Sivakumar and Sumithra. Kannadasan penned the witty lyrics for this comic romantic song, capturing classic Tamil folk-pop humor.

Keep listening

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