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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mappilai Pottu Vitta

From Shanmuga Priya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Jaya Vijaya
Movie name
Shanmuga Priya
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
19 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
Uruluthu uruluthu mangaiyin ennam
Pazhaguthu pazhaguthu mappillai kannam
Adhisayam adhisayam nadakkattum munnam
Ragasiyam ragasiyam yaenadi innum
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
Ponnunga veettai vittu maruveedu ponaa
Ennenna ketkkuminnu yaar solla naanaa
Ponnunga veettai vittu maruveedu ponaa
Ennenna ketkkuminnu yaar solla naanaa
Aththaan endraal aayiram muththu
Aththaan thaanae avalukku soththu
Illaram ondre pennukku needhi
Inbam thunbam aalukku paathi
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
Vetkamum nananum engal thaai thantha veli
Vaelikkum veli indru nee thantha thaali
Vetkamum nananum engal thaai thantha veli
Vaelikkum veli indru nee thantha thaali
Paazhum manamae vetkathai vittu
Naayagan munnae sorkkathai kaattu
Raagam….aa…aa…aa….
Thaalam aa….aa….aa….a….alavudan pottu
Raagam thaalam alavudan pottu
Naalum iravum paadadi paattu
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuththi
Mappillai kannathodu pesattum sangathi
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
Tossing and turning are the young woman's thoughts,
As she grows closer to the groom's cheek.
Before all the wonders begin to unfold,
Why keep secrets any longer, my girl?
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
When girls leave their home and go to their marital home,
Who can say what all he might ask for? Can I?
When girls leave their home and go to their marital home,
Who can say what all he might ask for? Can I?
Calling him "athaan" (beloved husband) is worth a thousand pearls,
For he alone is her true treasure.
A happy family life is a woman's true path,
With joy and sorrow shared equally by both.
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
Shyness and modesty were the protective fence our mother gave,
And a fence to guard that fence today is the thali (sacred wedding thread) you gave.
Shyness and modesty were the protective fence our mother gave,
And a fence to guard that fence today is the thali (sacred wedding thread) you gave.
Oh restless heart, cast aside your shyness,
And reveal heaven before your husband!
Melody... aah... aah... aah...
Keeping the rhythm... aah... aa... ah... in perfect measure,
Setting melody and rhythm in perfect measure,
Sing your song through day and night...
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
The ruby nose stud gifted by the groom,
Let it whisper sweet secrets against his cheek...
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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