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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karumbu Murikka Pona

From Oru Marathu Paravaigal · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Oru Marathu Paravaigal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Karumbu murikka pona ponnaThe girl who went to cut sugarcane,
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichcha pakkathilaeNear the spot where the ant bit her,
En manasu thavikkuthaanMy heart is yearning in agony.
Female
Karumbu murikka pona ponnaThe girl who went to cut sugarcane,
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichcha pakkathilaeNear the spot where the ant bit her,
En manasu thavikkuthaanMy heart is yearning in agony.
Female
Baekku ramu baekkuFoolish Ramu, foolish one!
Aang baekku ramu baekkuAh, foolish Ramu, foolish one!
Female
Thottaakka pollaatha mogamIf touched, a wicked passion arises,
Konjam vittaalum theeraatha thaagamA thirst that cannot be quenched even if left a little.
Aang thottaakka pollaatha mogamAh, if touched, a wicked passion arises,
Konjam vittaalum theeraatha thaagamA thirst that cannot be quenched even if left a little.
Male
Unna naan thaniyaa maraavaa paaththuSeeing you secretly behind the trees,
Edhaiyo nenaichchu thavichchen neththuI suffered yesterday thinking of something.
Aanantha naadagam paaththaalennaWhat if we watch a blissful drama?
Aanantha naadagam paaththaalennaWhat if we watch a blissful drama?
Female
Karumbu murikka pona ponnaThe girl who went to cut sugarcane,
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichcha pakkathilaeNear the spot where the ant bit her,
En manasu thavikkuthaanMy heart is yearning in agony.
Female
Baekku ramu baekkuFoolish Ramu, foolish one!
Aang baekku ramu baekkuAh, foolish Ramu, foolish one!
Female
Kann meengal semmeengalaagumThe fish-like eyes turn red as red-carp fish,
Udal kallunda bodhaikkul aadumThe body dances under the intoxication of toddy,
Kann meengal semmeengalaagumThe fish-like eyes turn red as red-carp fish,
Udal kallunda bodhaikkul aadumThe body dances under the intoxication of toddy,
Female
Kodi pol idaiya medhuvaa thadaviGently caressing the vine-like waist,
Madi mel irunthu kuzhala neeviSitting on the lap and stroking the tresses of hair,
Paappathu pol oru inbam undaaIs there any pleasure like witnessing this?
Paappathu pol oru inbam undaaIs there any pleasure like witnessing this?
Female
Karumbu murikka pona ponnaThe girl who went to cut sugarcane,
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichcha pakkathilaeNear the spot where the ant bit her,
En manasu thavikkuthaanMy heart is yearning in agony.
Female
Baekku ramu baekkuFoolish Ramu, foolish one!
Aang baekku ramu baekkuAh, foolish Ramu, foolish one!
Female
Melaadai kaaththodu aadumThe upper garment sways with the wind,
Unna kanaama engengo thedumWithout seeing you, it searches everywhere,
Melaadai kaaththodu aadumThe upper garment sways with the wind,
Unna kanaama engengo thedumWithout seeing you, it searches everywhere,
Female
Kuliraa irukku anaichchaa ennaIt is cold, what if you embrace me?
Dhinamum nadhiyil kulichchaa ennaWhat if one bathes in the river every day?
Paarvaiyil yaekkangal theeraathaiyyaaThe longings do not end just with a look, sir!
Paarvaiyil yaekkangal theeraathaiyyaaThe longings do not end just with a look, sir!
Female
Karumbu murikka pona ponnaThe girl who went to cut sugarcane,
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichcha pakkathilaeNear the spot where the ant bit her,
En manasu thavikkuthaanMy heart is yearning in agony.
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.
Erumbu kadichchuthaamAn ant bit her, it seems.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic folk-style song portrays a woman teasingly expressing her romantic longing and physical attraction towards her partner ('Ramu'). Using rural allegories like sugarcane, ant bites, and intoxicated dancing, she playfully scolds him for being oblivious to her desire and urges him to come closer and embrace her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Kodi pol idaiya medhuvaa thadavi

Comparing the slender waist of the woman to a creeping vine (Kodi pol idaiya).

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kann meengal semmeengalaagum

Describing eyes as fish ('Kann meengal') and red carp ('semmeengalaagum') to signify passion and intoxication.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Karumbu murikka pona ponna / Erumbu kadichchuthaam

The second letter 'ru' rhymes across consecutive lines (Karumbu / Erumbu).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh, this song showcases S. Janaki's incredible ability to express playful, flirtatious nuances in folk rhythms, a trademark of 1980s Tamil cinema erotic-playful tracks.

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