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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kumbakonam Kozhunthu Vethala

From Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethalaAh, tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam
Pottaa sevakudhuTurns red when chewed
Chorus :Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamChorus: Rhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Female
Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendiWhy does this young girl's cheek
Thaana sevakudhuTurn red on its own?
Chorus :Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamChorus: Rhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Female
Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethalaAh, tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam
Pottaa sevakudhuTurns red when chewed
Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendiWhy does this young girl's cheek
Thaana sevakudhuTurn red on its own?
Theriyumodi nokku nanna purinju pochu naekkuDo you know, girl? I have understood it well!
Female
Marudhaani kaiyil theeti madichaaru podava kattiApplying henna on hands, wearing a saree in traditional fold style
Female
Marudhaani kaiyil theeti madichaaru podava kattiApplying henna on hands, wearing a saree in traditional fold style
Maamiyaattam iva nadantha eppadi irukkumHow would it be if she walks like a mother-in-law?
Chorus :Ammamooi ammamooi ammamooi eppadi irukkumChorus: Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, how would it be?
Female :Saayangaalam veiyyil patta saamandhipoo neramattamFemale: Like the color of a chrysanthemum flower hit by evening sunlight
Saayangaalam veiyyil patta saamandhipoo neramattamFemale: Like the color of a chrysanthemum flower hit by evening sunlight
Samanja ponnu mogam sevandhaa appadi irukkumThat is how it would be if a grown maiden's face turns red!
Chorus :Ammamooi ammamooi ammamooi appadi irukkumChorus: Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, that is how it would be!
Female
Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethalaAh, tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam
Pottaa sevakudhuTurns red when chewed
Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendiWhy does this young girl's cheek
Thaana sevakudhuTurn red on its own?
Theriyumodi nokku nanna purinju pochu naekkuDo you know, girl? I have understood it well!
Chorus
Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamRhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamRhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Female
Sauvri mudi mana ponnu sauvriyamma solladi kannuBride with long false hair extensions, tell me, my dear, is it comfortable?
Female
Sauvri mudi mana ponnu sauvriyamma solladi kannuBride with long false hair extensions, tell me, my dear, is it comfortable?
Dowry kudukka mudiyumaannu yosana pannuThink about whether you can pay the dowry
Chorus :Nalla yosana pannuChorus: Think carefully about it
Female :Thakku pudikka mudiyatta thayavoda nee kettaaFemale: If you cannot manage and ask with kindness
Thakku pudikka mudiyatta thayavoda nee kettaaFemale: If you cannot manage and ask with kindness
Thozhiyinnu nenachu unna seiyala galattaConsidering you as a friend, I won't make a fuss
Chorus :Aaha inimae seiyala galattaChorus: Aha, from now on we won't make a fuss
Female
Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethalaAh, tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam
Pottaa sevakudhuTurns red when chewed
Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendiWhy does this young girl's cheek
Thaana sevakudhuTurn red on its own?
Theriyumodi nokku nanna purinju pochu naekkuDo you know, girl? I have understood it well!
Chorus
Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamRhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalamRhythm of rhythmic beat rhythms
Janakku janakku thaaJanakku janakku thaa
Female
Vaadiyamma chinna kuzhandhaCome here, little child
Vakkelaathu chella kuzhandhaLawyer's darling child
Female
Haan vaadiyamma chinna kuzhandhaAha, come here, little child
Vakkelaathu chella kuzhandhaLawyer's darling child
Vazhakaappu onakku ippo naan seiyurenI am performing the bangles ceremony for you now
Konjam kaalam kazhuchu ingae kudhikka pora paappa vandhuAfter some time, when the jumping baby born here comes
Kekka pora kelvikellam badhil sollaanmaYou must answer all the questions it asks!
Chorus :Aamaamaa badhila sollammaChorus: Yes, yes, tell the answers!
Female
Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethalaAh, tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam
Pottaa sevakudhuTurns red when chewed
Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendiWhy does this young girl's cheek
Thaana sevakudhuTurn red on its own?
Theriyumodi nokku nanna purinju pochu naekkuDo you know, girl? I have understood it well!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ahaa Kumbakonam Kozhunthu Vethala is a playful, folk-infused celebration song from the 1978 Tamil movie Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam, with lyrics penned by Vaali. Set around traditional family gatherings—marriage preparations and the bangles ceremony (Valaikaappu)—the song features witty banter among women, friends, and family. The lyrics compare the natural blush of a young bride's cheek to the deep red stain of Kumbakonam betel leaf and the golden hue of chrysanthemums bathed in evening sunlight. The song captures the lighthearted humor, warmth, and social customs of Tamil domestic celebrations, touching upon marriage, dowry banter, and the anticipation of new life with joyful rhythm and rhythmic folk beats.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Visual Metaphor

Ahaa kumbakonam kozhunthu vethala pottaa sevakudhu / Indha kumari ponnu kannam yendi thaana sevakudhu

Compares the natural blush of a maiden's cheeks to the vibrant red stain left by chewing Kumbakonam betel leaf.

Imagery

Saayangaalam veiyyil patta saamandhipoo neramattam

Uses vivid color imagery of chrysanthemums catching the evening sunlight to describe a blushing face.

Onomatopoeia / Solkattu

Thagida thadhami thakkumukku thaalam Janakku janakku thaa

Incorporates rhythmic rhythmic dance syllables to create infectious folk energy.

Edugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Saayangaalam veiyyil patta... / Samanja ponnu mogam...

A traditional Tamil poetic device where second letters in consecutive lines rhyme (e.g., Saayangaalam / Samanja).

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam (1978) was directed by Durai and scored by M. S. Viswanathan. The film was based on a popular social novel written by Sri Venugopalan, depicting family relationships and societal norms in urban Tamil Nadu.

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