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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manu Koduthu

From Seeman · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Seeman1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ellorumae kaekka vaenumEveryone should listen
Ennudaiya vaarthaigalaTo my words
Ellalavum poiyum illa illaadhadhu yaedhum illaNot even a bit is false, there is nothing untrue
Eduthu viduvaen eduthu viduvaenI will speak it out, I will speak it out
Needhi vaenum needhi vaenum needhi vaenumI want justice, I want justice, I want justice
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available
Collector nnu paeru aanaa gavanam illa paaruNamed Collector, but look, there is no care or attention
Udhavidaadha aalu unakku padhavi thandhadhaaruUseless person, who gave you this position?
Chorus
Collector hae hae hae down downCollector hae hae hae down down
Collector down down down collectorCollector down down down collector
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available
Female
Unnai naanum ration card ahAm I asking you for a ration card?
Pension panamaa kaekkurenOr pension money?
Chinna ponnu aasa vechu application podurenA young girl, with hopes, is submitting an application
Kollai light ah paakkurae nenjil heater poduraeYou look with bright eyes and ignite a heater in my heart
Naala romba ottaadhae aala romba vaattaadhaeDon't drag out the days so much, don't torment me so much
Kaakkavae vekkira kaathu nee vaanguraYou make me wait while you enjoy the cool breeze
Venumunnu thoonguraYou are deliberately sleeping
Chorus
Collector hae hae hae down downCollector hae hae hae down down
Collector down down down collectorCollector down down down collector
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available
Collector nnu paeru aanaa gavanam illa paaruNamed Collector, but look, there is no care or attention
Udhavidaadha aalu unakku padhavi thandhadhaaruUseless person, who gave you this position?
Chorus
Collector hae hae hae down downCollector hae hae hae down down
Collector down down down collectorCollector down down down collector
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available
Male
Laara lallaa laaraallaa laaraallaaLaara lallaa laaraallaa laaraallaa
Laara lalla lalla laaraallaa laaraallaaLaara lalla lalla laaraallaa laaraallaa
Laara lalla lalla laaraallaaLaara lalla lalla laaraallaa
Laara lalla lalla laaraallaa laaraallaaLaara lalla lalla laaraallaa laaraallaa
Laara lalla lalla laaraallaaLaara lalla lalla laaraallaa
Haei haei haei haei haei haei haei haeiHaei haei haei haei haei haei haei haei
Female
Thanni koduthu dhaagam theerkkumTo quench thirst by offering water
Collector ingae vaenumaeWe need a collector here
Kanniyarkku kaaval nirkkumTo stand guard and protect maidens
Collector ingae vaenumaeWe need a collector here
Kaadhal dhaagam theerkkanumMust quench the thirst of love
Adhukku thalaimai yaerkkanumAnd take leadership for that
Bandhaa kaattum scene thaanaeYou are showing off with stylish posture
Vandhaal undhan pon maanaeIf you come, my golden deer
Sambalam tharattumaa kimbalam tharattumaaShould I give salary or give a bribe?
Kaariyam nadakkanumThe task must get completed
Chorus
Collector hae hae hae down downCollector hae hae hae down down
Collector down down down collectorCollector down down down collector
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available
Collector nnu paeru aanaa gavanam illa paaruNamed Collector, but look, there is no care or attention
Udhavidaadha aalu unakku padhavi thandhadhaaruUseless person, who gave you this position?
Chorus
Collector hae hae hae down downCollector hae hae hae down down
Collector down down down collectorCollector down down down collector
Female
Manu koduthu manu koduthu paathaenI submitted petitions again and again and checked
Badhil kidaikkavillaiBut received no response
Maanbu mikka collectorkku paavamPity, the honorable Collector
Time kidaikkavillaiHas no time available

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and satirical song features the female protagonist humorously protesting against the male protagonist (who acts or is regarded as an unyielding 'Collector'). Using bureaucratic vocabulary such as petitions (manu), applications, bribes (kimbalam), and official duties, she teasingly demands justice and attention for her love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Thanni koduthu dhaagam theerkkum / Kanniyarkku kaaval nirkkum

Matching second character in lines like 'Manu' and 'Badhil' in rhythm, or 'Thanni' and 'Kanniyarkku'.

Metaphor & Sarcasm

Sambalam tharattumaa kimbalam tharattumaa

Using bureaucratic governance terms like 'Application', 'Kimbalam' (bribe), and 'Ration card' as playful metaphors for romantic demands.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie Seeman (1994) stars Sarathkumar and Sukanya. Music for the film was composed by Soundaryan with lyrics by veteran lyricist Vaali.

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