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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mappillai Ragasiyam Sollava

From Arangetram · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Arangetram1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
En madiyinil ulla kadhai allavaIsn't this a story resting right on my lap?
Aasaiyilae ivar poonaiWhen it comes to desire, he is like a sneaky cat,
Naan arindhae sonnendi maanaeI am saying this knowing it very well, my dear.
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
Female
Sathira sothukku kathirupparHe will wait eagerly for food served at charity halls,
Ivar kaathirupparHe will be waiting,
Pirar saapitta ilaiyilum saapiduvaarHe would even eat off the banana leaf leftover by others!
Chorus
HahahhahahaHahahhahaha
Female
Sathira sothukku kathirupparHe will wait eagerly for food served at charity halls,
Ivar kaathirupparHe will be waiting,
Pirar saapitta ilaiyilum saapiduvaarHe would even eat off the banana leaf leftover by others!
Female
Maalaiyil kulikkum mainaradi ivarHe pretends to be a trendy playboy bathing in the evening,
Manadhukkum kizhaviyum kumariyadiTo his lustful mind, both an old woman and a young maiden are the same!
KumariyadiA young maiden!
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
Female
Maappillai padithathu vedhamadiWhat the groom has studied is sacred scripture,
VedhamadiSacred scripture,
Avar manadhil iruppadhu boodhamadiBut what lurks inside his mind is a demon!
BoodhamadiA demon!
Udhattil punnaigai veshamadiThe smile on his lips is merely a disguise,
Udhattil punnaigai veshamadiThe smile on his lips is merely a disguise,
Naan ulladhai sonnaal roshamadiIf I speak the raw truth, he gets deeply offended!
RoshamadiHe gets offended!
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
Female
Kodiyil ivarum oruvaradi oruvaradiHe claims to be one in a million,
Therukodiyil ulavum rasikaradiYet he is just a street-corner wandering stalker!
Chorus :HahahahahaChorus: Hahahahaha
Female :Kodiyil ivarum oruvaradi oruvaradiFemale: He claims to be one in a million,
Therukodiyil ulavum rasikaradiYet he is just a street-corner wandering stalker!
Female
Jaadaiyil ivarum raamanadiIn his pose and demeanor, he acts righteous like Lord Rama,
Seiyum sarasathil kannanin peranadiBut in his flirtatious antics, he is even worse than Krishna's grandson!
PeranadiKrishna's grandson!
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?
En madiyinil ulla kadhai allavaIsn't this a story resting right on my lap?
Aasaiyilae ivar poonaiWhen it comes to desire, he is like a sneaky cat,
Naan arindhae sonnendi maanaeI am saying this knowing it very well, my dear.
Female
Maappillai ragasiyam sollavaaShall I reveal the groom's secret?
Naan sollavaaShall I tell you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song 'Maappillai Ragasiyam' from the 1973 movie 'Arangetram' is a biting, playful satire sung by L. R. Eswari with lyrics written by Kannadasan and music composed by V. Kumar. The song exposes the hypocrisy of a seemingly pious and respectable man whose outward gentlemanly persona masks a deceitful, opportunistic, and lustful character. Through lively rhythm and witty metaphors, the singer humorously strips away his false prestige and warns others of his true nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Satire

Jaadaiyil ivarum raamanadi / Seiyum sarasathil kannanin peranadi Target: Male hypocrisy subject of the song (groom). Context: Juxtaposes his pious exterior with his deceitful behavior.

Metaphor

Aasaiyilae ivar poonai

Antithesis (Contrast)

Maappillai padithathu vedhamadi / Avar manadhil iruppadhu boodhamadi

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Maappillai padithathu vedhamadi ... Udhattil punnaigai veshamadi

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Trivia

'Arangetram' (1973) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander and was a groundbreaking movie that tackled bold, non-traditional social themes. The film marked the feature film debut of legendary actor Kamal Haasan in an adult role. 'Maappillai Ragasiyam' remains one of L. R. Eswari's most celebrated cabaret/satirical renditions, praised for her iconic expression and Kannadasan's razor-sharp lyricism.

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