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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Machaana Pathingala

From Annakili · 1976

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Annakili1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Lalilaali laaloo (3)Lalilaali laaloo (x3)
Lalilaali laaloo….oo..Lalilaali laaloo...
En machaana….My beloved groom...
Machaana…aa..My groom...
Female
Machaana partheengalaHave you seen my beloved groom?
Malai vazhai thoppukkullaeInside the mountain banana grove?
Machaana partheengalaHave you seen my beloved groom?
Malai vazhai thoppukkullaeInside the mountain banana grove?
Female
Kuyilakka konjamSister Cuckoo, please
Nee paarthu solluLook and tell me
Vanthaara kaanaliyaeDid he come? I haven't seen him
Avar vanthaara kaanaliyaeDid he come? I haven't seen him
Female
Velli charam punnagayilIn his silver string-like smile
Naan alli vachen kaanaliyaeI gathered joy, yet haven't seen him
Naan alli vachen kaanaliyaeI gathered joy, yet haven't seen him
Female
Oorgola megangalaeO procession of clouds
Neenga oru nazhi nillungalenPlease stop for a brief moment
Mayilaadum kattilIn the forest where peacocks dance
Thaniyaaga avaraiIf you see him alone
Parthathaan sollungalenPlease do tell me
En yekkaththai sollungalenPlease tell him of my longing
Female
Machaana partheengalaHave you seen my beloved groom?
Malai vazhai thoppukkullaeInside the mountain banana grove?
Female
{Pacha pullai pol{Like an innocent child
Avarpaathu nikkaWhen he stands gazing
Icha kodiyattamLike a vine of desire
Naan paathu sokka} (2)I swoon watching him} (x2)
Female
Achcharam kanduSeeing the advance token given
Muththaaram sootaTo adorn with a pearl necklace
Koththodu ennaTo hold me entirely
Nenjodu allaAnd embrace to his chest
Nenjodu allaAnd embrace to his chest
Nenjodu allaAnd embrace to his chest
Female
Kashturi kalai maangalaeO musk deer stags
Avara kandakka solungalenIf you see him, please tell me
Rojakal aadumIn the garden where
Thottathil avaraRoses dance, if you see him
Paathakka solungalenPlease tell me
En yekkaththai solungalenPlease convey my longing
Female
Machaana partheengalaHave you seen my beloved groom?
Malai vazhai thoppukkullaeInside the mountain banana grove?
Female
{Kalyanam pesi{Talking of marriage
Kandaangi chelaIf he gifts a Kandangi saree
Thandhakka ennaHow could I ever
Mattenna solven} (2)Say no to him?} (x2)
Female
Pudhu manjal poosiApplying fresh turmeric
Pon medai ittuErecting a golden wedding stage
Mannadhi mannan mapillai aagaFor him to become the king among kings bridegroom
Maapillai aagaTo become the bridegroom
Maapillai aagaTo become the bridegroom
Female
Thala vaazha ela podungaLay out the plantain leaves
Oora virundhukku vara solungaInvite the whole village for the feast
Thala vaazha ela podungaLay out the plantain leaves
Oora virundhukku vara solungaInvite the whole village for the feast
Female
Poo potta manjamLet the flower-decorated bed
Aadatum konjamSway a little
Manasaara vaazhthungalenBless us whole-heartedly
Enga kulam vaazha vaazthungalenBless our lineage to prosper

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic folk song captures the innocent longing and vivid romantic dreams of a rural young woman searching for her beloved (machaam). Addressed to nature—the cuckoos, passing clouds, and deer—she expresses her deep affection, picturing him standing innocently like a child while her heart swoons for him. As the song progresses, her thoughts shift to marriage traditions: wearing the traditional Kandangi saree, decorating the wedding stage with turmeric, hosting a grand feast for the whole village on plantain leaves, and receiving the elders' heartfelt blessings for a prosperous future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Pacha pullai pol / Avarpaathu nikka

Compares the beloved's innocent gaze to that of a young child ('Pacha pullai pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Velli charam punnagayil

Metaphorically compares his smile to a glistening string of silver ('Velli charam punnagayil').

Personification / Nature Apostrophe

Oorgola megangalae / Neenga oru nazhi nillungalen

Addressing inanimate clouds ('Oorgola megangalae') and birds ('Kuyilakka') to pass messages to the lover.

Ethirai / Rhyme scheme (Anaphora/Emona)

Nenjodu alla

Use of repeating structural phrases like 'Nenjodu alla' and 'Maapillai aaga' for rhythmic folk cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Machaana Partheengala' from Annakili (1976) marked the historic debut of composer Ilaiyaraaja, revolutionizing Tamil cinema music by introducing authentic Tamil folk melodies and orchestration into mainstream film soundtracks. Sung soulfully by S. Janaki with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam, this song became an instant sensation across Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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