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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanai Thedi Machan

From Nadodi Mannan · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
Jikki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Nadodi Mannan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa)
Jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho ho ho hoi..Joyful exclamation (Ho ho ho hoi..)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)
Female
Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..Melodic vocalization (Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..)
Ho hoo hooJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo)
Female
Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..Melodic vocalization (Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..)
Ho ho ho hoi..Joyful exclamation (Ho ho ho hoi..)
Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..Melodic vocalization (Ohh..ohh..ohhh…oh..)
Chorus
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa)
Jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaa jimbaa)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa)
Jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaa jimbaa)
Chorus
Maanai thediSearching for the deer
Machan vara poraanMy lover is going to come
Hai vara poraanAha, he is going to come
Thaalaththoda thaali katta poraanTo the rhythm of drums, he will tie the sacred thread
Hai katta poraanAha, he will tie it
Maanai thedi machan vara poranSearching for the deer, my lover is going to come
Hai vara poranAha, he is going to come
Female
Ohh…ohh…ohhhMelodic vocalization (Ohh…ohh…ohhh)
Thaali kattum veeran avan yaaruWho is that hero who will tie the sacred thread?
Hai endha ooruAha, which town is he from?
Maalai katta venumA garland needs to be woven
Konjam kooruTell me a little
Hai enna peruAha, what is his name?
Female
{Podhum podhum keliEnough of this teasing, enough
Summaa podiJust go away, girl
Hai podi vachi pesum vambukkari} (2)Aha, you mischievous girl who talks in riddles
Female
{Azhagilae nadaiyilaeIn beauty and in grace of walk
Sugamellam valarnthu vidumo} (2)Will all sweetness blossom and grow?
Chrous :Aasai pongum thotramChorus: A sight overflowing with desire
Amuthoottum pazha thottamA fruit garden that feeds nectar
Female
{Ennennamo solliSaying all sorts of things
En manadhai killi} (2)Pinching my heart
Ingum angum ooda vaikkum kalliThe cunning girl who makes me run here and there
Hai ingum angum ooda vaikkum kalliAha, the cunning girl who makes me run here and there
Chrous :Paruvam vanthu thulliChorus: Reaching youth and leaping with joy
Uruguraalae valliValli is melting in love
Female
Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…Melodic vocalization (Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…)
Chrous :Ohh.. ho ho hoiChorus: Joyful exclamation (Ohh.. ho ho hoi)
Female :Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…Female: Melodic vocalization (Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…)
Chrous :Ohh.. ho ho hoiChorus: Joyful exclamation (Ohh.. ho ho hoi)
Female :Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…Female: Melodic vocalization (Ohh…ohh…ohh…oh…)
Chorus
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa)
Jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho ho ho hoi..Joyful exclamation (Ho ho ho hoi..)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)
Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaaRhythmic chant (Jimbaga jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa jimbaa)
Ho hoo hoo hooiJoyful vocalization (Ho hoo hoo hooi)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tribal-themed playful song from Nadodi Mannan features lively teasing between friends and lovers. The heroine anticipates her suitor coming to claim her, likening his search for her to hunting a deer, a traditional allusion to Lord Murugan and Valli. Her companions tease her about her marriage, asking about her suitor's identity, town, and name, while praising her beauty, grace, and youthful longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Amuthoottum pazha thottam

Describing the youthful maiden as 'Amuthoottum pazha thottam' (a fruit garden feeding nectar) metaphorically highlights her grace and blooming charm.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Maanai thedi / Machan vara poraan

Matching starting letters ('Maanai' and 'Machan') creates a pleasant rhythmic alliteration.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ennennamo solli / En manadhai killi

The second letter 'n' matches in 'Ennennamo' and 'En manadhai', establishing classical Tamil poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nadodi Mannan' (1958) was a blockbuster fantasy-action film directed by and starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song's energetic tribal chorus rhythm ('Jimbaga jimbaa') is a classic example of folk-fusion dance music from 1950s Tamil cinema.

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