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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mappilai Pottu Vitta

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 mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek
Female
Uruluthu uruluthu mangaiyin ennamThe thoughts of the young maiden are rolling around
Pazhaguthu pazhaguthu mappillai kannamThe groom's cheek gets closer and familiar
Adhisayam adhisayam nadakkattum munnamLet miracles upon miracles happen soon
Ragasiyam ragasiyam yaenadi innumWhy keep secrets any longer, my friend?
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek
Female
Ponnunga veettai vittu maruveedu ponaaWhen women leave home and go to their marital home
Ennenna ketkkuminnu yaar solla naanaaWho can say what all will be asked? Is it me?
Ponnunga veettai vittu maruveedu ponaaWhen women leave home and go to their marital home
Ennenna ketkkuminnu yaar solla naanaaWho can say what all will be asked? Is it me?
Female
Aththaan endraal aayiram muththuSaying husband is like a thousand pearls
Aththaan thaanae avalukku soththuThe husband alone is her true wealth
Illaram ondre pennukku needhiDomestic life alone is a woman's virtue
Inbam thunbam aalukku paathiJoy and sorrow are shared equally by both
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek
Female
Vetkamum nananum engal thaai thantha veliShyness and modesty were the boundaries given by our mother
Vaelikkum veli indru nee thantha thaaliToday, the sacred thread you tied is a boundary beyond boundaries
Vetkamum nananum engal thaai thantha veliShyness and modesty were the boundaries given by our mother
Vaelikkum veli indru nee thantha thaaliToday, the sacred thread you tied is a boundary beyond boundaries
Female
Paazhum manamae vetkathai vittuO restless mind, shed your shyness
Naayagan munnae sorkkathai kaattuShow heaven in front of your hero
Raagam….aa…aa…aa….Melody... ah... ah... ah...
Thaalam aa….aa….aa….a….alavudan pottuRhythm... ah... ah... ah... setting it in proper measure
Raagam thaalam alavudan pottuSetting melody and rhythm in proper measure
Naalum iravum paadadi paattuSing a song day and night, my girl
Female
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththiThe ruby nose-ring gifted by the groom
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathiLet it speak intimate news against the groom's cheek

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi is a playful and joyful wedding song from the film Shanmuga Priya (1973). The song explores the tender intimacy, excitement, and emotional transition of a bride entering her marital life. It beautifully illustrates how the physical proximity of the couple and the sacred marital bond transcend former boundaries of maidenly shyness. Through Kannadasan's thoughtful lyricism, the song emphasizes that marriage is an equal partnership where domestic life becomes a source of moral virtue, and both joy and sorrow are shared equally between husband and wife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi

The nose-ring (maanikka mookuththi) is personified as an entity capable of whispering intimate messages (sangathi) to the groom's cheek.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Uruluthu uruluthu mangaiyin ennam

Words are repeated successively ('Uruluthu uruluthu', 'Pazhaguthu pazhaguthu', 'Adhisayam adhisayam', 'Ragasiyam ragasiyam') to reflect rhythm and quickened emotions.

Etukai (Second letter rhyming)

Aththaan endraal aayiram muththu

Rhyming of the second letter 'th' in 'Aththaan' across consecutive lines creates harmonious cadence.

Metaphor

Vetkamum nananum engal thaai thantha veli

Comparing shyness and modesty to a fence (veli) built by the mother, and the nuptial knot (thaali) to an ultimate boundary encompassing all.

Did you know?

Trivia

Shanmuga Priya (1973) features music composed by the classical musician duo Jaya Vijaya (twin brothers K.G. Jayan and K.G. Vijayan). The song showcases Kannadasan's signature ability to blend lighthearted romance with traditional values regarding marital duty.

Keep listening

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