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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maargazhi Maadha Kaatru

From Muzhu Nilavu · 1980

Lyricist
Yeviyan
Singers
S. Janaki, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Muzhu Nilavu1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maargazhi maadha kaatruThe wind of the month of Maargazhi
Pulli maanattam ponna paathuSeeing the girl who is like a spotted deer
Maargazhi maadha kaatruThe wind of the month of Maargazhi
Pulli maanattam ponna paathuSeeing the girl who is like a spotted deer
Neraa kulurndhu vandhuComing directly with a chill
Joraaga adikayilaeWhen it blows forcefully
Maarappu sela konjam kalaiyumThe saree draped over her chest slips slightly
Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyumAnd this lover's heart wanders there
Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyum..hooAnd this lover's heart wanders there..hoo
Female
Jaamathilae velakka yethuLight the lamp at midnight
Veettu jannal kadhava saathuShut the house's window and door
Jaamathilae velakka yethuLight the lamp at midnight
Veettu jannal kadhava saathuShut the house's window and door
Thottu eduthu ennaWhen you touch and lift me up
Katti anaikkaiyilaeAnd embrace me tightly
Machaan magathuvam puriyumYou will understand the greatness of your man
Andha raathiri velakka eriyumAnd the lamp will burn throughout that night
Andha raathiri velakka eriyumAnd the lamp will burn throughout that night
Male
Vetkam velichaminnuCalling it shyness and bright light
Vendaatha ethanaiyooSo many unwanted obstacles
Vaeli katti nikkudhae kaavalStand guard like a built fence
Vetkam velichaminnuCalling it shyness and bright light
Vendaatha ethanaiyooSo many unwanted obstacles
Vaeli katti nikkudhae kaavalStand guard like a built fence
Male
Oru pakkam padukka vechuMaking a bed on one side
Paai pottu thaen kudikkaSpreading a mat to taste sweetness
Pettaikku kaathirukku sevalThe rooster waits for the hen
Oru pakkam padukka vechuMaking a bed on one side
Paai pottu thaen kudikkaSpreading a mat to taste sweetness
Pettaikku kaathirukku sevalThe rooster waits for the hen
Male
Oru aaloolam paattu sollum kiliyaeO parrot that sings a sweet melody
Haan aaa aaa…..Haan aaa aaa...
Parakka aagaayam nirkkuthadi veliyae…ae…The sky stands open outside to fly...
Male
Maargazhi maadha kaatruThe wind of the month of Maargazhi
Pulli maanattam ponna paathuSeeing the girl who is like a spotted deer
Female :Neraa kulurndhu vandhuFemale: Coming directly with a chill
Joraaga adikayilaeWhen it blows forcefully
Male :Maarappu sela konjam kalaiyumMale: The saree draped over her chest slips slightly
Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyumAnd this lover's heart wanders there
Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyum..And this lover's heart wanders there..
Male
Annaadam aasa thottuTouching desire every single day
Aayiramaai yekkam pattuSuffering thousands of longings
Kaayidhu vaaliba vayasuThis youthful age is yearning passionately
Annaadam aasa thottuTouching desire every single day
Aayiramaai yekkam pattuSuffering thousands of longings
Kaayidhu vaaliba vayasuThis youthful age is yearning passionately
Female
Indha ponnoda vaalibamumAnd this girl's youthfulness
Poovaa niranjirukkuIs blooming fully like flowers
Indha ponnoda vaalibamumAnd this girl's youthfulness
Poovaa niranjirukkuIs blooming fully like flowers
Unnaal mayanguthae manasuThe mind is enchanted because of you
Male
Un maeni azhagu vanna nilavuThe beauty of your body is like a colorful moon
Ae…ae….ae…ae….Ae...ae...ae...ae...
Un maeni azhagu vanna nilavuThe beauty of your body is like a colorful moon
Adha naan dhaanae panna venum selavuIsn't it I who should cherish and enjoy it?
Male
Maargazhi maadha kaatruThe wind of the month of Maargazhi
Pulli maanattam ponna paathuSeeing the girl who is like a spotted deer
Neraa kulurndhu vandhuComing directly with a chill
Joraaga adikayilaeWhen it blows forcefully
Maarappu sela konjam kalaiyumThe saree draped over her chest slips slightly
Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyumAnd this lover's heart wanders there
Female :Hmm hummFemale: Hmm humm
Male :Indha maachaan manasu angu alaiyum..Male: And this lover's heart wanders there..
Female
Jaamathilae velakka yethuLight the lamp at midnight
Veettu jannal kadhava saathuShut the house's window and door
Thottu eduthu ennaWhen you touch and lift me up
Katti anaikkaiyilaeAnd embrace me tightly
Machaan magathuvam puriyumYou will understand the greatness of your man
Andha raathiri velakka eriyumAnd the lamp will burn throughout that night
Andha raathiri velakka eriyumAnd the lamp will burn throughout that night

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duets captures an intimate conversation between two lovers anticipating a cozy winter night together. Set against the cool breeze of the month of Maargazhi (mid-December to mid-January), the lyrics vividly describe the playful sensuality and longing shared between the couple. The male lover describes how the chilly wind dislodges her saree, captivating his heart, while the female lover responds with intimate eagerness for midnight lovemaking behind closed doors.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Pulli maanattam ponna paathu

Compares the grace and innocence of the female protagonist to a spotted deer ('Pulli maanattam').

Metaphor (Metonymy)

Pettaikku kaathirukku seval

Uses the rooster and hen as a metaphor for the lovers awaiting intimacy.

Moonaam/Edhugai (Tamil Rhyming Scheme)

Jaamathilae velakka yethu / Veettu jannal kadhava saathu

Rhyming of second letters across consecutive lines, such as 'Jaamathilae' and 'Veettu' or 'Machaan' and 'Andha'.

Imagery

Jaamathilae velakka yethu / Veettu jannal kadhava saathu

Sensory visual and tactile imagery of winter winds, closing windows, lighting lamps, and cozy intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Muzhu Nilavu' (1980) features lyrics penned by Yeviyan. The track captures the traditional Tamil folk duet style set in a rural backdrop during the cold Maargazhi season.

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