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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kavan

From Bachelor · 2020

Lyricist
Navakkarai Naveen Prabanjam
Singer
Navakkarai Naveen Prabanjam
Music directors
Santhosh Sivashanmugam, Sathish Selvakumar
Details
Bachelor2020

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanna naane…….Thanna naane... (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Male
Vambu thumbu pesavilaiI haven't come to pick a quarrel or cause trouble,
Valli maane adi pulli maaneOh my Valli, my dear spotted deer!
Nee vanthu oru muththamCome closer and give me a kiss,
Thaadi valli maaneGive me a kiss, my dear Valli deer!
Male
Thanna naane…….Thanna naane... (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Male
Kaayilangu thinnum kooraOh sharp-witted woman who feeds on wild roots and tubers,
Maadhe unthanaiOh woman, facing you,
Ada maadhe unthanaiAh, facing you, my lady,
Naan kaanagathil kandu nanumI saw you deep inside the dense forest, and I,
Kanden sentheneI found you, my sweet pure honey!
Male
Thanna naane…….Thanna naane... (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Male
Vambu thumbu pesa vendamDo not talk nonsense or pick unnecessary trouble,
Vedu vannaareOh hunter who has arrived here!
Vana vendum vannaareOh hunter wandering through the woods!
Nee vantha vazhi sella venumYou must return by the very path you came,
Venu vannaareOh hunter who came seeking me!
Male
Thanna naane…….Thanna naane... (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Male
Adi vaai thiranthor mozhiOh dear, if you open your mouth and speak a word,
Sonnaal muthuthirumoWill precious pearls scatter from your speech?
Aali muthuthirumoWill fine oceanic pearls scatter around?
Un varnam idhuIs this your true character and beauty?
Kaigal rendum thaanathirumoWill both your hands reach out in generous charity?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is styled after traditional Tamil street theatre (Therukoothu / Kattaikkuttu) dramatic dialogues, specifically drawing inspiration from the iconic 'Valli Thirumanam' folk narrative where Lord Murugan disguises himself as a hunter to playfully court Valli in the forest. The male protagonist playfully approaches his beloved, calling her a gentle spotted deer and sweet honey, asking for affection. The female voice retorts by telling the intruding hunter to refrain from picking trouble and to go back the way he came. The banter continues with poetic compliments about her speech being as precious as scattering pearls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvakam)

Valli maane adi pulli maane

Comparing the heroine to a 'pulli maane' (spotted deer) and 'senthene' (pure sweet honey) to highlight her natural grace and sweetness.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Sonnaal muthuthirumo

Exaggerating the sweetness of her voice by asking if opening her mouth to speak will cause pearls ('muthu') to spill out.

Folk Refrain (Anaphora / Rhythm)

Thanna naane…….

'Thanna naane' serves as the traditional rhythmic filler typical of Tamil folk balladry (Themmangu/Koothu).

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is rooted in the rich tradition of Tamil 'Valli Isaigaana' folk plays. Navakkarai Naveen Prabanjam wrote and performed this song to bring an authentic, rustic folk texture into the soundtrack of 'Bachelor' (2020).

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