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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maarappu Potta Ponnu

From Deivapiravi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Deivapiravi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
HaeiHey!
Maarappu potta ponnaeOh girl wearing the drape over your shoulder,
Machaan kaiya vechaa enna thoshamWhat is the fault if your cousin lays his hand on you?
Maarappu potta ponnaeOh girl wearing the drape over your shoulder,
Machaan kaiya vechaa enna thoshamWhat is the fault if your cousin lays his hand on you?
Aavaram poo virinju aalolam padurapooWhen the Aavaram flower blooms and sings a lullaby,
Pon vandu vandhaalennaWhat if a golden beetle arrives?
Female
Pollaappu venaam machaanI don't want any trouble, dear cousin,
Kanni ponnu sinna ponnu paavamPity the innocent young maiden.
Arae rarae raeArae rarae rae
Pollaappu venaam machaanI don't want any trouble, dear cousin,
Kanni ponnu sinna ponnu paavamPity the innocent young maiden.
Hoi hoi yaarachampaathuputtaHoi hoi, if someone sees us,
Yaedhaachum kettuputtuAnd asks or says something inappropriate,
Ammadi ennavadhu haangOh dear, what will happen?
Male
………………………....
Male
{Naayanam oodhanum{The Nadaswaram pipe should be played,
Kalyanam kattanumWe should get married,
Maasi maasam …nalla raasi aagum} (2)The month of Maasi... will bring good luck} (2)
Female
Naan adhukku kaathirukkenI am waiting for that,
Raapagala poothirukkenI am blooming day and night,
Poovudambu vethirukkaenMy flower-like body is burning,
Velaiyathaan paathirukkenI am waiting for the right moment.
Male :Vaamma vaamma munnadiMale: Come forward, come forward,
Koththaada koththaaga muthaadaTo embrace closely and share kisses.
Female
Pollaappu venaam machaanI don't want any trouble, dear cousin,
Kanni ponnu sinna ponnu paavam haanPity the innocent young maiden.
Male :Aavaram poo virinjuMale: When the Aavaram flower blooms,
Female :Aaa..Female: Ah...
Male :Aalolam padurapooMale: And sings a lullaby,
Female :Aaa..Female: Ah...
Male :Pon vandu vandhaalennaMale: What if a golden beetle arrives?
Female :Haan haan haaFemale: Haan haan haa
Female
{Poovaiyum ponnaiyum{The flower and the golden girl,
Novaama killanumShould be plucked gently without causing pain,
Modhalaama ellai meeralaama} (2)Should we cross the boundaries without clashing?} (2)
Male
Moongililae kaathu vandhuWhen the wind passes through the bamboo,
Modhurappoo osa varumA sweet musical sound emerges,
Poongili mel aan kili thaanWhen the male parrot swoops over the female parrot,
Paayurappo aasa varumDesire arises naturally.
Female :Poyaa poyaa kalyanamFemale: Go away, go away! Without marrying,
Pannama kai neeti pesaadhaeDo not reach out your hand and speak to me.
Male
Maarappu potta ponnaeOh girl wearing the drape over your shoulder,
Machaan kaiya vechaa enna thoshamWhat is the fault if your cousin lays his hand on you?
Aavaram poo virinju aalolam padurapooWhen the Aavaram flower blooms and sings a lullaby,
Pon vandu vandhaalennaWhat if a golden beetle arrives?
Female
HaanHaan
Pollaappu venaam machaanI don't want any trouble, dear cousin,
Kanni ponnu sinna ponnu paavamPity the innocent young maiden.
Ho ho hoi yaarachampaathuputtaHo ho hoi, if someone sees us,
Yaedhaachum kettuputtuAnd asks or says something inappropriate,
Ammadi ennavadhuOh dear, what will happen?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a tease-and-response dynamic between a young man (machaan) and a young woman. The male lover tries to flirt and initiate physical closeness, using metaphors of flowers and golden beetles to justify his advances. On the other hand, the young woman urges caution, expressing her desire for social propriety and marriage (sounding the Nadaswaram in the auspicious month of Maasi) before crossing romantic boundaries.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaatani)

Aavaram poo virinju aalolam padurapoo / Pon vandu vandhaalenna

The song uses the 'Aavaram' flower and 'Pon vandu' (golden beetle) as metaphors for the young woman and her lover.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Naayanam oodhanum / Kalyanam kattanum

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'y' in 'Naayanam' and 'Kalyanam'.

Anaphora / Repetition

Pollaappu venaam machaan / Kanni ponnu sinna ponnu paavam

Repeated use of the plea 'Pollaappu venaam machaan' to emphasize hesitation and social fear.

Did you know?

Trivia

Deivapiravi (1985) is a Tamil film starring Mohan and Urvashi. Vaali's lyrics often blend traditional rural metaphors—like bamboo flutes, parrots, and seasonal floral imagery—with catchy, folk-style conversational dialogue.

Keep listening

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