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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kodiyavale Poongodiyavale

From Muthu Mandapam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Muthu Mandapam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kodiyavalae nee kodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, you are like a delicate creeper.
Female : Enna…Female: What is it?
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.
Kovvai sevvaai kaniyavalaeOh woman with lips red as the ivy gourd fruit.
Pudhu mozhi pesum kiliyavalaeOh parrot-like woman who speaks a novel language.
Ponnukkum poovukkum ilaiyavalaeOh woman younger and more delicate than gold and flowers.
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.
Kovvai sevvaai kaniyavalaeOh woman with lips red as the ivy gourd fruit.
Pudhu mozhi pesum kiliyavalaeOh parrot-like woman who speaks a novel language.
Ponnukkum poovukkum ilaiyavalaeOh woman younger and more delicate than gold and flowers.
Female
Ilaiyavarae ilaiyavaraeOh young man, oh young man.
Male
Hmm ahaanHmm ah-ha.
Female
Ilaiyavarae enakkuriyavaraeOh young man, the one who belongs to me.
Innisai muzhangum mannavaraeOh king who resonates with sweet music.
Valaigal kulungum kaigalilaeInto these hands where bangles jingle,
Vandhu vizhundha silaiyavaraeOh statue-like man who came and fell.
Female
Ilaiyavarae enakkuriyavaraeOh young man, the one who belongs to me.
Innisai muzhangum mannavaraeOh king who resonates with sweet music.
Valaigal kulungum kaigalilaeInto these hands where bangles jingle,
Vandhu vizhundha silaiyavaraeOh statue-like man who came and fell.
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.
Male
Kangal irandil kanai thoduthaalShe aimed an arrow with both her eyes.
Karunaagam ena pinnal ittaalShe braided her hair like a black cobra.
Kangal irandil kanai thoduthaalShe aimed an arrow with both her eyes.
Karunaagam ena pinnal ittaalShe braided her hair like a black cobra.
Kurunagai ennum visham koduthaalShe served poison in the form of a subtle smile.
Uyir kondu vittaalShe stole my life away.
Ennai vendru vittaalShe conquered me.
Female
Kanniyin mugathai kandu vittaarHe looked at the face of this maiden.
Adhil karpanai aayiram kondu vittaarHe harbored a thousand imaginations in it.
Kanniyin mugathai kandu vittaarHe looked at the face of this maiden.
Adhil karpanai aayiram kondu vittaarHe harbored a thousand imaginations in it.
Punnagai siraiyil pottu vittaarHe put me in the prison of a smile.
Ennai pootti vittaar…aaaHe locked me up... ah!
Nenjai vaatti vittaarHe tormented my heart.
Female
Ilaiyavarae enakkuriyavaraeOh young man, the one who belongs to me.
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.
Male
Kavinjan paadiya kaaviyamumThe epic poem sung by a poet,
Kalaingan theettiya oviyamumThe painting created by an artist,
Kavinjan paadiya kaaviyamumThe epic poem sung by a poet,
Kalaingan theettiya oviyamumThe painting created by an artist,
Uyir pettrezhundhaal eppadiyoIf they came alive, how would it be?
Aval uruvamum paruvamum appadiyaeHer form and youth are just like that.
Female
Maragadha muthu mandapathilIn the pavilion of emeralds and pearls,
Malligai mullai malar anaiyilOn the bed of jasmine flowers,
Maragadha muthu mandapathilIn the pavilion of emeralds and pearls,
Malligai mullai malar anaiyilOn the bed of jasmine flowers,
Arugulirunthu kadhai padipaarSitting close by, he will read stories.
Adhu avvalavo inum evvalavoIs that all, or is there so much more?
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.
Kovvai sevvaai kaniyavalaeOh woman with lips red as the ivy gourd fruit.
Pudhu mozhi pesum kiliyavalaeOh parrot-like woman who speaks a novel language.
Ponnukkum poovukkum ilaiyavalaeOh woman younger and more delicate than gold and flowers.
Female :Aaa….aaa….aa…..aa….aa…Female vocalizing: Aaa....aaa....aa.....aa....aa...
Male
Kodiyavalae poongodiyavalaeOh vine-like woman, oh flowering creeper-like woman.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kodiyavalae Poongodiyavalae is a classic romantic duet from the 1962 Tamil film Muthu Mandapam, penned by legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The song captures a romantic banter between two lovers praising each other's beauty, grace, and endearing qualities. The male lover describes his beloved as a flowering vine, comparing her form to a living piece of fine art and poetry. In response, the female lover affectionately speaks of how he captivated her heart and locked her in a sweet prison of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama / Uvamai)

Karunaagam ena pinnal ittaal

Compares the woman's braided hair to a coiled black cobra ('Karunaagam ena pinnal ittaal').

Metaphor (Rupaka / Uruvagamm)

Kurunagai ennum visham koduthaal

Metaphorically describes her subtle smile as poison ('Kurunagai ennum visham') and his smile as a prison ('Punnagai siraiyil').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kavinjan paadiya kaaviyamum

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Ka' across lines for rhythmic aesthetic ('Kavinjan', 'Kaaviyamum', 'Kalaingan').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Muthu Mandapam (1962) featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and stars S. S. Rajendran and Vijayakumari in prominent roles, with lyrics by Kannadasan.

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