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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madhura Marikolunthu

From Enga Ooru Pattukaran · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enga Ooru Pattukaran1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Pacharisi maavidichuCrushing raw rice into flour,
Maavidichu maavidichuCrushing flour, crushing flour,
Sarkaraiyil paagu vechuMaking jaggery syrup,
Paagu vechu paagu vechuMaking syrup, making syrup,
Sukidichu melagidichuCrushing dry ginger and black pepper,
Melagidichu melagidichuCrushing pepper, crushing pepper,
Chorus
Pakuvamaa kalandhu vechuMixing it all properly,
Kalandhu vechu kalandhu vechuMixing and keeping it ready,
Ammanuku maavilaku eduthuCarrying the flour lamp for Goddess Amman,
Vandhom eduthu vandhomWe came carrying it, we came carrying it,
Ammanava engalayum kaakaMay the Goddess protect us as well,
Venum kaaka venum thaayi ….You must protect us, Mother!
Male
{ Madhura marikozhundhu vaasam{ The fragrance of Madurai's sweet marjoram,
En raasaathi unnudaiya nesam } (2)My princess, your affection } (2)
Male
{ Maanoda paarvai meenoda serum } (2){ The deer-like gaze meets the fish-like eyes } (2)
Maaraama ennai thottu pesumTouching me and speaking without changing,
Idhu maraiyaadha ennudaiya paasamThis is my love that will never fade.
Male
Madhura marikozhundhu vaasamThe fragrance of Madurai's sweet marjoram,
En raasaathi unnudaiya nesamMy princess, your affection.
Male
{ Pottunaa pottu vechu vettu vettunu vetti putu{ Wearing a bindi, sharp and striking,
Patunu selaiya katti ettu vechu nadandhu kittu } (2)Draping a silk saree, walking with proud steps } (2)
Kattuna katti puta nenja konjam thatti putaYou bound my heart and gently tapped it,
Vettum iru kanna vechu enna katti potu putaWith your sharp pair of eyes, you bound me tight.
Female
Kattu adhu unaku matum thaanaaIs this spell meant only for you?
Indha situm kooda sikiyadhu yenaaWhy did this little bird also get trapped?
Eppodho vita korai mamaAn unfinished bond from a long past time, uncle,
Adhu iru usura kattudhaiya thaanaaIt automatically binds both our souls together.
Female
Idhu ippodhu vaatudhunnuSaying that this is tormenting us now,
Paatu onna avuthu vidu madhuraRelease a song, oh Madurai,
Male
Marikozhundhu vaasamFragrance of sweet marjoram,
Female
En raasaavae unnudaiya nesamMy king, your affection.
Male
Adi madhura marikozhundhu vaasamHey, fragrance of Madurai's sweet marjoram,
Female
En raasaavae unnudaiya nesamMy king, your affection.
Female
……………………………………………………....
Female
{ Metuna metu katti ittu katti paadi kittu{ Setting a tune and singing along,
Katunaa raagam ennum maalai onnai katti putu } (2)Weaving a garland made of musical notes } (2)
Suthuna suthi adha en kazhuthil potu putaYou wrapped it around my neck,
Onna matum vitu puta thaali katta marandhu putaYou missed just one thing, you forgot to tie the marital thread!
Male
Nee thaanae ennudaiya raagamYou alone are my melody,
En nenjellam unnudaiya thaalamMy entire heart beats to your rhythm.
Ezhezhu jenmam unna paadumAcross seven lifetimes, I will sing of you,
Unnoda paatukaaran paatumAnd so will the song of your singer.
Male
En manaseno kerangudhadiWhy is my mind feeling so intoxicated?
Seragadichu parakudhadi madhuraIt flaps its wings and flies away,
Female
Marikozhundhu vaasamFragrance of sweet marjoram,
Male
En raasaathi unnudaiya nesamMy princess, your affection.
Female
Maanoda paarvai meenoda serumThe deer-like gaze meets the fish-like eyes,
Male
Maanoda paarvai meenoda serumThe deer-like gaze meets the fish-like eyes,
Female
Maaraama ennai thottu pesumTouching me and speaking without changing,
Male
Idhu maraiyaadha ennudaiya paasamThis is my love that will never fade.
Female
Madhura marikozhundhu vaasamThe fragrance of Madurai's sweet marjoram,
Male
En raasaathi unnudaiya nesamMy princess, your affection.
Madhura marikozhundhu vaasamThe fragrance of Madurai's sweet marjoram,
Female
En raasaavae unnudaiya nesamMy king, your affection.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Madhura Marikozhundhu is a classic rural romantic duet from the Tamil film Enga Ooru Pattukaran (1987), composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Gangai Amaran. The song opens with traditional folk devotion ritual verses celebrating the preparation of Maavilakku (sweet rice flour lamp) for Goddess Amman, invoking divine blessings before transitioning into a deeply expressive love song between a village singer and his beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Pacharisi maavidichu / Sarkaraiyil paagu vechu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Pacharisi' and 'Paagu' or 'Maanoda' and 'Maaraama'.

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

Maanoda paarvai meenoda serum

Comparing the gaze of the lovers to the grace of a deer ('Maan') and the beauty of a fish ('Meen').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nee thaanae ennudaiya raagam / En nenjellam unnudaiya thaalam

Matching end syllables across lines ('raagam', 'thaalam', 'paatum') creating musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is one of the most iconic folk melodies composed by Ilaiyaraaja, rendered by Mano and K. S. Chithra. The film Enga Ooru Pattukaran established Ramarajan as a mega-star in rural Tamil Nadu, largely driven by the runaway success of its soundtrack.

Keep listening

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