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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mappilai Pottu Vitta (Sad)

From Shanmuga Priya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Jaya Vijaya
Details
Shanmuga Priya1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom,
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathiLet the story be told through the maiden's tears.
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom,
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathiLet the story be told through the maiden's tears.
Female
Theduthu theduthu mangaiyin ennamSearching and searching are the maiden's thoughts,
Oduthu oduthu mappillai ullamRunning and running is the groom's mind.
Mayanguthu mayanguthu thannai maranthuSwooning and swooning, completely forgetting herself,
Kalanguthu kalanguthu kannai izhanthuGrieving and grieving, as if having lost her sight.
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom,
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathiLet the story be told through the maiden's tears.
Female
Kunguma saanthu pattu kodaana kannamCheeks adorn with kumkum paste like smooth silk,
Kodhai en kadhalukku avan thantha chinnamAre the token he gave for my love, oh maiden.
Kunguma saanthu pattu kodaana kannamCheeks adorn with kumkum paste like smooth silk,
Kodhai en kadhalukku avan thantha chinnamAre the token he gave for my love, oh maiden.
Female
Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththuHalt the agony of weeping spear-like eyes,
Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththuOh Lord Kantha, who appears in tears, put an end to this pain!
Yazhaiyin kuralai indrae ninaiththuConsidering the plea of this poor woman today,
Enthan naayagan manathai thiruththuChange and reform my hero's heart.
Female
Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththuHalt the agony of weeping spear-like eyes,
Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththuOh Lord Kantha, who appears in tears, put an end to this pain!
Yazhaiyin kuralai indrae ninaiththuConsidering the plea of this poor woman today,
Enthan naayagan manathai thiruththuChange and reform my hero's heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song portrays a young woman grieving over marital or romantic discord. The ruby nose-ring presented by her groom serves as a bittersweet symbol of their bond, while her tears tell the hidden story of her heartache. Her mind searches endlessly while her groom's heart seems distant and restless, causing her to swoon in anguish. In her despair, she addresses Lord Murugan (Kantha), pleading for divine intervention. She asks the Lord to heal her crying, spear-like eyes and touch her lover's heart so that he might change his mind and return her love, restoring peace to her life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Theduthu theduthu mangaiyin ennam

Words like 'Theduthu theduthu', 'Oduthu oduthu', 'Mayanguthu mayanguthu', and 'Kalanguthu kalanguthu' are repeated consecutively to intensify the emotional turmoil and urgency.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththu

'Velvizhi' compares sharp, beautiful eyes to a 'Vel' (spear), a classic Tamil poetic metaphor often associated with Lord Murugan's weapon.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthi

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Mappillai' and 'Maanikka' creates a pleasing auditory rhythm in the refrain.

Eyaippu (End Rhyme)

Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththu

Lines end with rhyming verb endings such as 'thaduththu', 'niruththu', and 'thiruththu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Shanmuga Priya' (1973) featured music by the composer duo Jaya Vijaya (brothers K. G. Jayan and K. G. Vijayan), who were acclaimed for their classical and devotional compositions. The lyricist Kannadasan skillfully blends romantic imagery with a prayerful invocation to Lord Murugan (Kantha).

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