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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mai Mai Kannmai

From Thaiyalkaran · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Details
Thaiyalkaran1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thandhana thandhana thandhanaThandhana thandhana thandhana
ThandhanaThandhana
Thandhana thanaThandhana thana
Thandhana thanaThandhana thana
Female
Vai vai kai vaiPlace, place, place your hand
Vaithaal vaigaiIf placed, like the Vaigai river
Neeraattam naan aaduvaenI will bathe playfully
Huh hmm hmmHuh hmm hmm
Male
Mai mai kan maiKohl, kohl, the eye kohl
Vaikkum ponmaiGolden lady who applies it
Tholodu naan kooduvaenI will embrace shoulder to shoulder
Hmm hmmm hahaHmm hmmm haha
Female
Onam varumOnam will arrive
Vanna vaanam varumA colorful sky will arrive
Andru poo thaaliOn that day a flower wedding thread
Naan soodanumI should wear
Male
Aalaipuzhai thandha ammukuttiThe sweet girl given by Alleppey
Sinna sithaadai puthaadaiLittle skirt and new clothes
Kondaadum thanga kattiThe golden nugget celebrating
Female
Vai vai kai vaiPlace, place, place your hand
Vaithaal vaigaiIf placed, like the Vaigai river
Neeraattam naan aaduvaenI will bathe playfully
Huh hmm hmmHuh hmm hmm
Male
Mai mai kan maiKohl, kohl, the eye kohl
Vaikkum ponmaiGolden lady who applies it
Tholodu naan kooduvaenI will embrace shoulder to shoulder
Haan haanHaan haan
Ohoh ohohOhoh ohoh
Male
Aadhi andhangalThe beginnings and endings
Paadhi paarthaenaeI have seen half of them
Meedhi eppodhu kannaeWhen is the rest, my dear?
Thaedhi vaikaamalWithout fixing a date
Thaali kattaamalWithout tying the wedding thread
Paarka koodaadhu pennaeYou should not see it, my girl
Female
Poojai seiyaamalWithout performing worship
Pongal vaikaamalWithout preparing Pongal
Amman thaerottam yedhuWhere is the goddess chariot procession?
Kovil melangalWhen the temple drums
Ketkum kaalathilAre heard, in that time
Kaadhal vaedhangal oodhuChant the scriptures of love
Male
Adi indha manadhuHey, this heart of mine
AvasarapadudhuIs in a hurry
Sonnaalum kekaadhu vayadhuEven if told, this age will not listen
Female :Aanaalum un vegamFemale: Still, your speed
Thaangaadhu en dhaegamMy body cannot bear
Aadai por koodudhuA dress war is intensifying
Female
Vai vai kai vaiPlace, place, place your hand
Vaithaal vaigaiIf placed, like the Vaigai river
Neeraattam naan aaduvaenI will bathe playfully
Huh hmm hmmHuh hmm hmm
Male
Mai mai kan maiKohl, kohl, the eye kohl
Vaikkum ponmaiGolden lady who applies it
Tholodu naan kooduvaenI will embrace shoulder to shoulder
Haha hahaHaha haha
Ohoh ohohOhoh ohoh
Chorus
Theemtha theemtha dheeranaTheemtha theemtha dheerana
Theemtha theemtha dheeranaTheemtha theemtha dheerana
Female
Mundu nyaan kattaAs I wear the traditional dhoti
Ennai nee kattaAs you tie me down
Undu ullaasa maargamThere is a joyful way
Sukku vellam dhaanOnly ginger water
Indha ullam dhaanAnd this heart
Konda dhaagangal theerkumWill quench the thirsts held within
Male
Naayar pen dhaanaeIs she a Nair girl?
Endhan kan dhaanaeShe is my eyes indeed
Naalai kalyaana kolamTomorrow is the wedding attire
PallikoodathilIn the school room
Artha jaamathilAt midnight
Kaelu sandosha paadamListen to the lesson of happiness
Female
Thodu thodu sugamaTouch touch, is it blissful?
Thodarndhadhu varumaaWill it continue?
Poo maaalai nee podu maamaPut the flower garland on me, uncle
Male
Oiiyaamal ammaadiWithout stopping, my goodness
Naal dhorum katcheriA daily music concert
Naanum neeyum ketkalaamYou and I can listen to
Female
Vai vai kai vaiPlace, place, place your hand
Vaithaal vaigaiIf placed, like the Vaigai river
Neeraattam naan aaduvaenI will bathe playfully
Huh hmm hmmHuh hmm hmm
Male
Mai mai kan maiKohl, kohl, the eye kohl
Vaikkum ponmaiGolden lady who applies it
Tholodu naan kooduvaenI will embrace shoulder to shoulder
Haha hmm hmmm ohohHaha hmm hmmm ohoh
Female
Onam varumOnam will arrive
Vanna vaanam varumA colorful sky will arrive
Andru poo thaaliOn that day a flower wedding thread
Naan soodanumI should wear
Male
Aalaipuzhai thandha ammukuttiThe sweet girl given by Alleppey
Sinna sithaadai puthaadaiLittle skirt and new clothes
Kondaadum thanga kattiThe golden nugget celebrating
Female
Vai vai kai vaiPlace, place, place your hand
Vaithaal vaigaiIf placed, like the Vaigai river
Neeraattam naan aaduvaenI will bathe playfully
Huh hmm hmmHuh hmm hmm
Male
Mai mai kan maiKohl, kohl, the eye kohl
Vaikkum ponmaiGolden lady who applies it
Tholodu naan kooduvaenI will embrace shoulder to shoulder
Haan haanHaan haan
Ohoh ohohOhoh ohoh

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features lovers expressing intimate affection through Kerala-Tamil cultural motifs. The song playfully contrasts the eager advances of passion with traditional values like waiting for formal marriage and ritual celebrations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monnai)

Vai vai kai vai

Repetition of initial consonants and words such as 'Vai vai kai vai' and 'Mai mai kan mai' creating a rhythmic beat.

Simile / Metaphor

Vaithaal vaigai / Neeraattam naan aaduvaen

Comparing physical touch and affection to bathing in the sacred Vaigai river.

Cultural Imagery

Aalaipuzhai thandha ammukutti

Reference to Kerala motifs like Onam, Alleppey (Aalaipuzhai), Nair girl, and traditional mundu dress.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaiyalkaran (1991) stars Parthiban and features music composed by Deva, with lyrics penned by Vaali capturing regional cross-border (Tamil-Kerala) romantic tropes.

Keep listening

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