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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madichu Vecha Vethala

From Buffoon · 2022

Lyricist
Raja Gurusamy
Singers
Santhosh Narayanan, Anthakudi Ilayaraja
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Buffoon2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naalana naalanaFour annas, four annas
Ettana ettanaEight annas, eight annas
Male
Naalana pottu kaariThe girl with a four-anna sized bindi
Naa potta mettu kaariThe girl who dances to the tune I set
Ettana pottu kaariThe girl with an eight-anna sized bindi
Yeththi kuthum aatta kaariThe dancer who stomps her feet with high energy
Male
Oththa rooba pottu kaariThe girl with a one-rupee sized bindi
Meththa pola meny kaariThe girl with a body as soft as a mattress
Oththa rooba pottu kaariThe girl with a one-rupee sized bindi
Meththa pola meny kaariThe girl with a body as soft as a mattress
Chorus
Adi madichu vacha vethalaOh, the folded betel leaf
Nallaa idichum kooda pathalaEven after crushing it well, it wasn't enough
Chorus
Adi madichu vacha vethalaOh, the folded betel leaf
Ipo idichum kooda pathalaEven after crushing it now, it isn't enough
Adi madichu vacha vethalaOh, the folded betel leaf
Ipo idichum kooda pathalaEven after crushing it now, it isn't enough
Adi madichu vacha vethalaOh, the folded betel leaf
Ipo idichum kooda pathala heyEven after crushing it now, it isn't enough, hey!
Female
Is itIs it
Male
Saarappaambu sadaiyazhagiThe beauty with hair braided long like a rat snake
MangammaMangamma
Chorus :MangammaChorus: Mangamma
Male :Ava azhagula thaan antha maariMale: She is extraordinarily beautiful
AmmammaOh my goodness!
Chorus :AmmammaChorus: Oh my goodness!
Male
Saarappaambu sadaiyazhagiThe beauty with hair braided long like a rat snake
MangammaMangamma
Ava azhagula thaan antha maariShe is extraordinarily beautiful
AmmammaOh my goodness!
Male
{Kodaanki iduppukaari{The girl with a narrow waist like an hourglass drum
AngammaAngamma
Ava kottaachi konda kaariThe girl with a hair bun shaped like a coconut shell
Yammamma} (2)Oh mother!} (2)
Male
{Ada ampurunda kanna kaatti{Hey, showing her wide rolling eyes
Sundi sundi izhuppaShe beckons and pulls you closer
Ye asandhu neeum pakkam ponaIf you get distracted and go near her
Aara pottu adippa} (2)She will slap you soundly!} (2)
Male
Naalana naalanaFour annas, four annas
Chorus
Madichu vacha vethalaThe folded betel leaf
Nallaa idichum kooda pathalaEven after crushing it well, it wasn't enough
Chorus
Adi madichu vacha vethalaOh, the folded betel leaf
Ipo idichum kooda pathalaEven after crushing it now, it isn't enough
Male
Thanane thanna……….Thanane thanna..........

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic Tamil folk track from 'Buffoon' (2022) playfully describes vibrant, alluring, and feisty village women using earthy traditional metaphors. The lyrics correlate the size of a woman's bindi to old currency coins (Naalana, Ettana, Oththa rooba) and compare physical traits to familiar rural items like hourglass drums, coconut shells, and rat-snake braids. The central hook about the folded betel leaf ('Madichu vacha vethala') serves as a classic folk motif expressing deep yearning and insatiable desire. While praising their stunning charm, the song also humorously warns men about the women's fiery and assertive temperaments if approached carelessly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Naalana pottu kaari / Naa potta mettu kaari / Ettana pottu kaari

Repetition of the ending suffix '-kaari' across consecutive lines creates a rhythmic folk cadence.

Metaphor / Simile (Upameya)

Saarappaambu sadaiyazhagi

Comparing a woman's hair braid to a rat snake (Saarappaambu) to emphasize length and beauty.

Metaphor

Kodaanki iduppukaari

Comparing a woman's waist shape to a 'Kodaanki' (hourglass-shaped folk drum).

Alliteration (Monai)

Saarappaambu sadaiyazhagi

Repetition of the 'Sa' consonant sound at the start of words in the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track features prominent folk vocals by Anthakudi Ilayaraja, a popular Tamil Nadu folk singer, performing alongside composer Santhosh Narayanan. The lyrics heavily utilize old coin currency terminology ('Naalana' = 25 paise, 'Ettana' = 50 paise) that was commonly referenced in ancient Tamil folk songs to denote measurement and ornament size.

Keep listening

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