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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kuppusami Idhu Thappu Sami

From Nellikani · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nellikani1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Aa….kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyAa… Kuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththaLooking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusaamy idh thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamyOh Kannusamy who arrived wearing glasses,
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamyOh Kannusamy who arrived wearing glasses,
Kadhalikka vantheengalaa ponnusaamyDid you come to fall in love, Ponnusamy?
Female
Hoi kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyHoi Kuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kuppusaamy idh thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Female
Paruvaththin kolaaru machchaanukkuIt is the mischief of youth for my cousin,
Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukkuFor the one who set his eyes on the green parrot,
Paruvaththin kolaaru machchaanukkuIt is the mischief of youth for my cousin,
Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukkuFor the one who set his eyes on the green parrot,
Bus melae Yaerumpothu idichchavaraaWas it you who bumped into me while boarding the bus?
Bus melae Yaerumpothu idichchavaraaWas it you who bumped into me while boarding the bus?
Pallakkaatti paavaam pola ndichchavaraaAnd then smiled innocently, acting all guiltless?
Aasaami…..oo….saami….Oh mister... oh sir...
Female
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththaLooking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Female
Ponna paarththa mayakkaththilae ninnavaraeThe one who stood mesmerized upon seeing the girl,
Puththamputhu kadhalukku mannavaraeThe king of brand new love,
Ponna paarththa mayakkaththilae ninnavaraeThe one who stood mesmerized upon seeing the girl,
Puththamputhu kadhalukku mannavaraeThe king of brand new love,
Female
Manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaaDid you shoot arrows like Manmadhan, the god of love?
Aa….manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaaAa… did you shoot arrows like Manmadhan, the god of love?
Machchaannu uravu solli vantheengalaaDid you come calling me a close relative?
Aasaami…..oo….saami….Oh mister... oh sir...
Female
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththaLooking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Female
Udhadugalthaan muththamida thudikkuthadiThe lips are throbbing to give a kiss,
Ullaththilae achcham vanthu thadukkuthadiYet fear arises in the heart and holds back,
Udhadugalthaan muththamida thudikkuthadiThe lips are throbbing to give a kiss,
Ullaththilae achcham vanthu thadukkuthadiYet fear arises in the heart and holds back,
Female
Asadunnu enni neeyum mayangaathammaaGirl, do not fall for him thinking he is a fool,
Asadunnu enni neeyum mayangaathammaaGirl, do not fall for him thinking he is a fool,
Aambalaththaan ivarukitta pazhagaathammaaHe is a real man, do not get too familiar with him,
Aasaami…..oo….saami….Oh mister... oh sir...
Female
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththaLooking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyKuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Female
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamyOh Kannusamy who arrived wearing glasses,
Kadhalikka vantheengalaa ponnusaamyDid you come to fall in love, Ponnusamy?
Female
Hoi kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamyHoi Kuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!
Haa kuppusaamy idh thappu saamyHaa Kuppusamy, this is wrong, my friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic track from 'Nellikani' (1981) features playful tease lyrics directed at a hero figure named Kuppusamy. The song jokingly calls him out for peeping, flirting on the bus, and putting on an innocent act while pursuing romance. It balances romantic tension, playful banter, and traditional rural teasing with rhythmic enthusiasm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy

Use of repeating suffix '-saamy' across Kuppusaamy, thappu saamy, kannusaamy, and ponnusaamy creates internal rhyme and rhythmic playfulness.

Metaphor / Allusion

Manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaa

Allusion to 'Manmadhan' (the Hindu deity of love and desire) shooting arrows of love, comparing the hero's flirtatious glances to love-arrows.

Metaphor (Pachchaikkili)

Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukku

Comparing the heroine to a green parrot ('Pachchaikkili'), a classic Tamil literary trope representing beauty and innocence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered by Vani Jairam, 'Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy' became a hugely popular folk-style track known for its catchy refrain and humorous lyricism penned by Pulamaipithan.

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