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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koyya Pazham Venumaa

From Vaazhnthu Kaattuvom · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vaazhnthu Kaattuvom1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Koiyyaa pazham venumaa maamoiDo you want guava fruit, uncle?
Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!
Female
Kuppaththula velanjuthuIt grew right in our slum,
Ippaththaanae parichchathuIt was plucked just now!
Namma jananga kondu vanthathuBrought here by our people,
Bangalaavil kedaikkumaaCan you get this in a bungalow?
Panaththa thinnaa inikkumaaIf you eat money, will it taste sweet?
Namma voottu seeruthaan idhuThis is the dowry gift from our home!
Female
Koiyyaa pazham venumaa maamoiDo you want guava fruit, uncle?
Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!
Chorus
………………...............
Female
Machchu veedum kuchchu veedumThe grand mansion and the humble hut,
Medaiyaeri maalai maaththu sonthamaachchuthuBecame kin after exchanging garlands on the wedding stage.
Ellaam vesham veththu thoshamEverything is a charade and empty deceit,
Mamanaarin saayam ippa veluththu pochchuthuFather-in-law's true colors are exposed now!
Female
Petta rowdy ponnaaga poranthaaBorn as the daughter of the local rowdy,
Paaththu pesu ennodathaan aangWatch how you talk with me, ah!
Potti paampaa ennaalum irunthaaAs long as I stay like a boxed snake,
Vambu illa ennodathaanThere will be no trouble with me.
Vaazhnthu kaatta vantha ponnuThe girl who came to prove her life
Vaasal thaandi pogaathuWill not cross beyond the threshold!
Female
Koiyyaa pazham venumaaDo you want guava fruit?
Aang koiyyaa pazham venumaa maamoiAh, do you want guava fruit, uncle?
Chorus :Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Female :Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Chorus :Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!
Female
Namma kuppaththula velanjuthuIt grew in our slum,
Ippaththaanae parichchathuIt was plucked just now!
Chorus :Namma jananga kondu vanthathuBrought here by our people,
Bangalaavil kedaikkumaaCan you get this in a bungalow?
Panaththa thinnaa inikkumaaIf you eat money, will it taste sweet?
Namma voottu seeruthaan idhuThis is the dowry gift from our home!
Female
Koiyyaa pazham venumaaDo you want guava fruit?
Aang koiyyaa pazham venumaa maamoiAh, do you want guava fruit, uncle?
Chorus :Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Female: Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Chorus :Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!
Female
Namma kotta saithaapettaSaidapet is our fort,
Neetti paaru aatti paaru vaala engakittaDon't stretch or wag your tail at us!
Haei thappu rotta maaththa maattaeYou won't change your wrong path,
Vattam katta maattuvennu thittam theetturaeYou scheme plans to trap and corner me.
Female
Malla potta machchaana keluAsk the brother-in-law who wrestled,
Veedu ippa en veeduthaanThis house is now my home!
Aadi maasa kaaththida mothaLike the fierce wind of the month of Aadi,
Ilavam panjaal aagaathammaaSilk-cotton fiber cannot withstand it, ma'am!
Aaga moththam rompa suththamAltogether, completely wiped out
Maamiyaalin mariyaathaiIs mother-in-law's pride and respect!
Female
Koiyyaa pazhamGuava fruit...
Aang koiyyaa pazham venumaa maamoiAh, do you want guava fruit, uncle?
Chorus :Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Female :Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Chorus :Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!
Female
: Kuppaththula velanjuthuIt grew in the slum,
Ippaththaanae parichchathuIt was plucked just now!
Chorus :Namma janga kondu vanthathuBrought here by our people,
Bangalaavil kedaikkumaaCan you get this in a bungalow?
Panaththa thinnaa inikkumaaIf you eat money, will it taste sweet?
Namma voottu seeruthaan idhuThis is the dowry gift from our home!
Female
Koiyyaa pazham venumaa haei maamanaaraeDo you want guava fruit, hey father-in-law?
Chorus :Koodaiyil irukku paaruLook, it is inside the basket!
Female :Seedhaappazham venumaa maamiDo you want custard apple, auntie?
Chorus :Veliyil kedakku paaruLook, it is lying outside!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Koiyyaa pazham venumaa' is a energetic, folk-flavored Tamil song from the 1990 movie 'Vaazhnthu Kaattuvom'. Sung with vibrant zest by K. S. Chithra to the music composed by Shankar Ganesh, the song features bold lyrics written by legendary lyricist Vaali. The protagonist, hailing from a working-class slum background, playfully yet assertively confronts her arrogant in-laws in a wealthy household. She contrasts the genuine warmth, fresh produce, and humble affection of her slum roots with the cold, materialistic nature of bungalow life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kuppaththula velanjuthu / Ippaththaanae parichchathu

The second consonant 'p' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Kuppaththula' / 'Ippaththaanae').

Rhetorical Question

Panaththa thinnaa inikkumaa

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions ('Panaththa thinnaa inikkumaa') to emphasize that money cannot replace genuine love or edible food.

Metaphor

Potti paampaa ennaalum irunthaa

Compares a docile posture to a boxed snake ('Potti paampaa'), warning that she remains harmless only as long as she is not poked.

Simile / Idiomatic Comparison

Aadi maasa kaaththida motha / Ilavam panjaal aagaathammaa

Compares the mother-in-law's fragile pride to silk-cotton fiber blown away in high winds of Aadi month.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vaazhnthu Kaattuvom' (1990) features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali utilized authentic Madras (Chennai) slang and local fruit-seller calls ('Koiyyaa pazham') to give the song its grounded, street-smart energy.

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