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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kasthuri Mane

From Pudhumai Penn · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhumai Penn1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeOh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.
Jaadhipoovai nenjodu naan serththuHolding the jasmine flower close to my chest,
Soodi paarkkum neramithuThis is the time to wear and admire it.
Female
Jaadhipoovai nenjodu nee searnthuJoining the jasmine flower close to your chest,
Soodi paarkkum neramithuThis is the time to wear and admire it.
Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeOh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.
Chorus
Aaa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa……Aaa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa……
Aaa…aa….aa….aaa….aaa….Aaa…aa….aa….aaa….aaa….
Aahaa…aaa….aa….aaa….aahaAahaa…aaa….aa….aaa….aaha
Aahaa haa aahaa haa aa…..aa…..Aahaa haa aahaa haa aa…..aa…..
Male
Kattil aadamal thottilkal aadaathuWithout the bed rocking, the cradle will not rock,
Kannae vetkathai vittu thalluMy dear, shed your shyness away.
Female :Kannam poompattu vetkaththai nee thottuFemale: Cheeks like flower-soft silk, touching my shyness,
Netri pottondru vaiththukolluPlace a bindi mark on my forehead.
Male
Paaloorum vaayoram paarthaalae vaayoorumJust looking at the edge of the milk-dripping lips makes my mouth water,
Aruntha neram solluTell me the time to taste it.
Paaloorum vaayoram paarthaalae vaayoorumJust looking at the edge of the milk-dripping lips makes my mouth water,
Aruntha neram solluTell me the time to taste it.
Female
Penmaiyae pesumaaWill womanhood speak?
Penmaiyae pesumaaWill womanhood speak?
Male :Mounamthaan palliyarai manthiramaaMale: Is silence the mantra of the bridal bedroom?
Male
Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeOh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.
Male :Jaadhipoovai nenjodu naan serththuMale: Holding the jasmine flower close to my chest,
Soodi paarkkum neramithuThis is the time to wear and admire it.
Male
Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeOh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.
Chorus
Aaa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa……Aaa…..aa….aa….aaa….aa……
Aaa…aa….aa….aaa….aaa….Aaa…aa….aa….aaa….aaa….
Aahaa…aaa….aa….aaa….aahaAahaa…aaa….aa….aaa….aaha
Aahaa haa aahaa haa aa…..aa…..Aahaa haa aahaa haa aa…..aa…..
Female
Aahaa pon muththam raththathil yaen saththamAha, a golden kiss! Why is there a surge in the blood?
Ennai yathetho seigindrathaeIt is doing all sorts of things to me.
Male :Vaanam sollaamal megangal illaamalMale: Without the sky announcing, without any clouds,
Ingae thean maari peigindrathaeHere, a shower of sweet honey is raining down.
Female
En thegam engengumAll across my body,
Yaetho orr pon minnalSome golden flash of lightning,
En thaegam engengumAll across my body,
Yaetho orr pon minnalSome golden flash of lightning,
Nadanthu pogindratheyIs walking past me,
Male
Naanamae ponathuAll modesty is gone!
Naanamae ponathuAll modesty is gone!
Female :Pothumae aalai viduFemale: Enough, spare me now,
Aadai koduHand me my clothes.
Male
Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeOh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.
Jaadhipoovai nenjodu naan serththuHolding the jasmine flower close to my chest,
Soodi paarkkum neramithuThis is the time to wear and admire it.
Female
Jaadhipoovai nenjodu nee searnthuJoining the jasmine flower close to your chest,
Soodi paarkkum neramithuThis is the time to wear and admire it.
Male :Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenaeMale: Oh musk deer! Oh auspicious honey!
Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam poduSing a concert and come clap hands to the rhythm.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kasthoori Maanae is a playful and deeply intimate duet between newlyweds. The song captures their tender banter, poetic flirtation, and excitement during their quiet moments together. The groom playfully urges his bride to cast aside her shyness, comparing her beauty to jasmine flowers and sweet honey, while the bride bashfully hesitates before succumbing to love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kasthoori maanae kalyaana thenae

Compares the beloved directly to a rare 'Kasthoori maan' (musk deer) and sweet 'kalyaana thean' (wedding honey).

Alliteration (Monaai)

Kachcheri paadu vanthu kaiththaalam podu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kachcheri' and 'kaiththaalam'.

Imagery & Hyperbole

Vaanam sollaamal megangal illaamal Ingae thean maari peigindrathae

Describes romantic ecstasy as a rain of honey falling without clouds or sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhumai Penn (1984), directed by P. Bharathiraja, featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song 'Kasthoori Maanae' is a memorable duet sung by K.J. Yesudas and Uma Ramanan.

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