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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettaal Ondru

From Thedi Vantha Thirumagal · 1966

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thedi Vantha Thirumagal1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Koduthaal adhai pera vendumIf given, you must accept it
Female :Ondraai adhai thara mattenFemale: I won't give it as just one
Irandaai adhai pera mattenI won't accept it as two
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Koduthaal adhai pera vendumIf given, you must accept it
Female :Ondraai adhai thara mattenFemale: I won't give it as just one
Irandaai adhai pera mattenI won't accept it as two
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Koduthaal adhai pera vendumIf given, you must accept it
Male
Poo methai virikuthu malar idhazhgalFlower-petal lips spread out like a bed of flowers
Bodhaiyai kodukkuthu thaen thuligalHoney drops induce intoxication
Poo methai virikuthu malar idhazhgalFlower-petal lips spread out like a bed of flowers
Bodhaiyai kodukkuthu thaen thuligalHoney drops induce intoxication
Female :Thaen malar idhazh kadai thirndha pinnumFemale: Even after the honey-flower petal shop has opened
Yen vandhu vaangida thayakkam innumWhy is there still a hesitation to come and buy?
Thaen malar idhazh kadai thirndha pinnumEven after the honey-flower petal shop has opened
Yen vandhu vaangida thayakkam innumWhy is there still a hesitation to come and buy?
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Koduthaal adhai pera vendumIf given, you must accept it
Female :Ondraai adhai thara mattenFemale: I won't give it as just one
Irandaai adhai pera mattenI won't accept it as two
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Female :Koduthaal adhai pera vendumFemale: If given, you must accept it
Male
Mayakkudhu mayakkudhu un mozhigalYour words entrance and intoxicate me
Valaikkudu valaikkudhu un vizhigalYour eyes entrap and draw me in
Mayakkudhu mayakkudhu un mozhigalYour words entrance and intoxicate me
Valaikkudu valaikkudhu un vizhigalYour eyes entrap and draw me in
Female :Anaikkudhu anaikkudhu ilanthendralFemale: The gentle breeze embraces us
Azhaikkudhu azhaikkudhu kodi pandhalThe creeper canopy calls out to us
Anaikkudhu anaikkudhu ilanthendralThe gentle breeze embraces us
Azhaikkudhu azhaikkudhu kodi pandhalThe creeper canopy calls out to us
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Female :Koduthaal adhai pera vendumFemale: If given, you must accept it
Male :Ondraai adhai thara mattenMale: I won't give it as just one
Female :Irandaai adhai pera mattenFemale: I won't accept it as two
Male
Kettaal ondru thaar vendumIf I ask, you must give me one thing
Female :Koduthaal adhai pera vendumFemale: If given, you must accept it
Male
Thendralum pandhalum namakkallavaAren't the breeze and the canopy ours?
Thithikkum kaadhal kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a sweet story of love?
Thendralum pandhalum namakkallavaAren't the breeze and the canopy ours?
Thithikkum kaadhal kadhai sollavaaShall I tell a sweet story of love?
Female :Inbam enbadhu idhuvallavaaFemale: Isn't this bliss?
Un idhazhukku idhazhaal badhil kollavaaShall I reply to your lips with my lips?
Inbam enbadhu idhuvallavaaIsn't this bliss?
Un idhazhukku idhazhaal badhil kollavaaShall I reply to your lips with my lips?
Male
KettaalIf asked...
Female :Ondru thaar vendumFemale: Give me one
Male :KoduthaalMale: If given...
Female :Adhai pera vendumFemale: You must accept it
Male :Ondraai adhai thara mattenMale: I won't give it as just one
Female :Irandaai adhai pera mattenFemale: I won't accept it as two

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from 'Thedi Vantha Thirumagal' (1966) portrays playful banter between lovers exchanging affectionate demands and teasing promises. The lyrics revolve around the playful negotiation of love and kisses, where asking for 'one' leads to the promise of many, set amidst a romantic natural backdrop of blossoms, gentle breezes, and cozy canopies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Aadukku Thodar)

Mayakkudhu mayakkudhu un mozhigal

The deliberate repetition of 'mayakkudhu' emphasizes the intoxicating nature of the lover's sweet words.

Metaphor (Uruvagkam)

Poo methai virikuthu malar idhazhgal

Compares soft flower-petal lips spreading open to a flower bed preparing for romantic intimacy.

Alliteration and Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Thendralum pandhalum namakkallava / Thithikkum kaadhal kadhai sollavaa

Employs internal starting alliteration (Thendralum/Thithikkum) and end-rhyme (namakkallava/sollavaa) to enhance musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Thedi Vantha Thirumagal' (1966) features iconic music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi. The duet was brought to life by legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, who were famous for their seamless vocal chemistry in mid-20th century Tamil cinema.

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