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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Machinna Machi

From Kaattukkulle Thiruvizha · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Kaattukkulle Thiruvizha1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)
Kaathodathaan poo vaada vesaThe scent of flowers wafts along with the wind,
Kaathaadiyaa paavaada veesaYour skirt sways like a kite in the breeze,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized.
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)
Male
Kandangi sela kattukkaariOh girl wearing the traditional Kandangi saree,
Karuneela saandhu pottukaariOh girl wearing the dark blue paste bindi,
Kandangi sela kattukkaariOh girl wearing the traditional Kandangi saree,
Karuneela saandhu pottukaariOh girl wearing the dark blue paste bindi,
Minnaama minnudhadiIt shines brightly without even trying,
Muthu vecha mookuthiyaamYour pearl-studded nose ring!
Pinnalae pinnalilaeWoven into your braided hair,
Kallu vecha raakkodiyaamYour gem-studded head ornament!
Sevvaazha meenaattam kannirukkaWith eyes fluttering like fish and shaped like a red banana blossom,
Kannaalam kattaama ninnurukkaStanding there unmarried still,
Sevvaazha meenaattam kannirukkaWith eyes fluttering like fish and shaped like a red banana blossom,
Kannaalam kattaama ninnurukkaStanding there unmarried still.
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)
Kaathodathaan poo vaada vesaThe scent of flowers wafts along with the wind,
Kaathaadiyaa paavaada veesaYour skirt sways like a kite in the breeze,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized.
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)
Male
Pethaalum pethaa athakkaariMy aunt gave birth to a gem,
Unnaattam yedhu vithukkaariWhere else is a clever beauty like you?
Pethaalum pethaa athakkaariMy aunt gave birth to a gem,
Unnaattam yedhu vithukkaariWhere else is a clever beauty like you?
Kollaama kolluriyaeYou torment me without actually killing me,
Nitham nitham raavinilaeEvery single night,
Nikkaama nikka vechaeYou make me stand restlessly,
Enma mattum theevinilaeOn an isolated island within my mind,
Achaaram vechaachu achamillaeThe marriage token has been given, so there is no fear,
Thottaalum pattaalum kuthamillaeThere is no fault even if we touch or embrace,
Achaaram vechaachu achamillaeThe marriage token has been given, so there is no fear,
Thottaalum pattaalum kuthamillaeThere is no fault even if we touch or embrace.
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)
Kaathodathaan poo vaada vesaThe scent of flowers wafts along with the wind,
Kaathaadiyaa paavaada veesaYour skirt sways like a kite in the breeze,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized,
Paathaen aathaa vaethaenI saw you, oh goddess, and I became mesmerized.
Male
Machinaa machiHey cousin!
Ennaasa machi vaa machi (Haa haa haa)My dear cousin, come to me! (Haa haa haa)
Vechaenaa vechenOnce I set it, I set it,
Un mela kanna naan vechen (Haa haa haa)I set my eyes on you! (Haa haa haa)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Machinaa Machi from Kaattukkulle Thiruvizha (1985) is an energetic Tamil folk song where the male protagonist playfully expresses his infatuation and love for his maternal uncle's daughter (his cousin/machin). He admires her traditional attire—specifically her Chettinad Kandangi saree, dark blue bindi, pearl nose ring, and gem-encrusted headpiece—praising her alluring beauty and animated eyes. In the latter stanzas, he playfully teases her for giving him sleepless nights. He reassures her that since their formal betrothal token ('Achaaram') has already been exchanged in accordance with village traditions, there is no need for hesitation or fear in expressing their romantic affection openly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaathaadiyaa paavaada veesa

Compares the movement of her skirt to a kite flying in the wind.

Simile (Upamai)

Sevvaazha meenaattam kannirukka

Compares her bright, darting eyes to fish ('meenaattam').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kandangi sela kattukkaari / Karuneela saandhu pottukaari

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('K') across consecutive lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Enma mattum theevinilae

Metaphorically describes his restless mental state as being stranded alone on an island.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Sankar Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali, this song features the high-energy vocals of Malaysia Vasudevan, who was a popular choice for rustic, village-themed folk tracks in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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