Masala Araikura
From Seevalaperi Pandi · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Mano, Asha Latha
- Music director
- Adithyan
- Details
- Seevalaperi Pandi1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ye masaala araikkura maina | Hey maina bird who grinds spices |
| Un mathalaam enna vilai | What is the price of your drum-like beauty? |
| Maarappu valukkura mayilae | Hey peacock whose upper garment slips |
| Un malligaipoo enna vilai | What is the price of your jasmine flower? |
| Male | |
| Nee porntha thedhiyil | On the date you were born |
| Adiyae enakku | Oh girl, for me |
| Puththi maari pochu | My mind went crazy |
| Nee samanja thedhiyil | On the date you came of age |
| Adiyae enakku | Oh girl, for me |
| Thookam tholanju pochu | I lost my sleep |
| Amaam thookam tholanju pochu | Yes, I lost my sleep |
| Male | |
| Thinakku thina | Rhythm beat (Thinakku thina) |
| Ye masaala araikkura maina | Hey maina bird who grinds spices |
| Un mathalaam enna vilai haan | What is the price of your drum-like beauty, haan |
| Maarappu valukkura mayilae | Hey peacock whose upper garment slips |
| Un malligaipoo enna vilai | What is the price of your jasmine flower? |
| Female | |
| Seevalaperi muthamitta | If Seevalaperi gives a kiss |
| Sendhur varaikkum ketkaadha | Won't it be heard all the way to Tiruchendur? |
| Male :Thinakku tha | Male : Rhythm beat (Thinakku tha) |
| Female :Anaikka naanum idam kodutha | Female : If I give you space to embrace me |
| Elumbu kilumbu irukkatha | Won't my bones get crushed? |
| Male | |
| Un valavi sathyham ketkaiyilae | When I hear the sound of your bangles |
| En vayasu innum kuraiyadhaa | Doesn't my age lessen further? |
| Unna vaari eduthu suruti kolla | To scoop you up and roll you in my arms |
| En vaaliba narambum thudikatha | Don't my youthful nerves throb? |
| Female | |
| Kichu kichu mootum | It tickles me |
| Male :Ahaan | Male : Ahaan |
| Female :Keezha dhisai kaathu | Female : The eastern wind blows |
| Male :Aiyaiyoo | Male : Oh dear |
| Female :Vambhu thumbu venam | Female : Don't start any trouble |
| Male :Mmm… | Male : Mmm... |
| Female :Nee vacha kuri maaththu | Female : Change the target you set |
| Male :Haaa… | Male : Haaa... |
| Male | |
| Yeppo….. | Oh my... |
| Ye masaala araikkura maina | Hey maina bird who grinds spices |
| Un mathalaam enna vilai | What is the price of your drum-like beauty? |
| Maarappu valukkura mayilae | Hey peacock whose upper garment slips |
| Un malligaipoo enna vilai | What is the price of your jasmine flower? |
| Male | |
| Thaamira barani thanniyilae | In the water of the Thamirabarani river |
| Thangatha urasi vittathu pol | Like gold rubbed into it |
| Aaa..adi nelinji nelinji poravalae | Ah.. hey girl walking with sways and curves |
| Nethikku chutti naan tharavaa | Shall I give you a forehead ornament? |
| Female | |
| Nethikku sutti vaangi putta | If I buy that forehead ornament for you |
| Othaikku oththa vara solluva | You will call me to meet one-on-one |
| Un mutta kanukku theriyaama | Without your big round eyes noticing |
| Naan mudinju vechatha thara solluva | You will ask me to give what I saved up |
| Male | |
| Paththa madai paayil | On the fine Pathamadai mat |
| Female :Hmmm | Female : Hmmm |
| Male :Panthi veikka venum | Male : We should lay out a feast |
| Female :Ahaa | Female : Ahaa |
| Male :Paththa veikka vantha | Male : When I come to spark the fire |
| Female :Yei | Female : Hey |
| Male :Oththuzhaikka venum | Male : You must cooperate |
| Male | |
| Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura | Rhythm beat (Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura) |
| Ye masaala araikkura maina | Hey maina bird who grinds spices |
| Un mathalaam enna vilai | What is the price of your drum-like beauty? |
| Adi maarappu valukkura mayilae | Hey peacock whose upper garment slips |
| Un malligaipoo enna vilai | What is the price of your jasmine flower? |
| Male | |
| Nee porntha thedhiyil | On the date you were born |
| Adiyae enakku | Oh girl, for me |
| Puththi maari pochu | My mind went crazy |
| Nee samanja thedhiyil | On the date you came of age |
| Adiyae enakku | Oh girl, for me |
| Thookam tholanju pochu | I lost my sleep |
| Amaam thookam tholanju pochu | Yes, I lost my sleep |
| Aamooi thookam tholanju pochu | Oh yes, I lost my sleep |
மசாலா அரைக்குற மைனா
உன் மத்தாளம் என்ன விலை
மாராப்பு வழுக்குற மயிலே
உன் மல்லிகைப்பு என்ன விலை
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
நீ பொறந்த தேதியில்
அடியே எனக்கு
புத்தி மாறி போச்சு
நீ சமைஞ்ச தேதியில்
அடியே எனக்கு
தூக்கம் தொலைஞ்சு போச்சு
ஆமாம் தூக்கம் தொலைஞ்சு போச்சு
On the date you were born
Oh girl, for me
My mind went crazy
On the date you came of age
Oh girl, for me
I lost my sleep
Yes, I lost my sleep
தினக்கு தின
மசாலா அரைக்குற மைனா
உன் மத்தாளம் என்ன விலை
மாராப்பு வழுக்குற மயிலே
உன் மல்லிகைப்பு என்ன விலை
Rhythm beat (Thinakku thina)
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
What is the price of your drum-like beauty, haan
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
சீவலப்பேரி முத்தமிட்டா
செந்தூர் வரைக்கும் கேட்காதா
தினக்கு தா
அணைக்க நானும் இடம் குடுத்தா
எலும்பு கிளம்பு இருக்காதா
If Seevalaperi gives a kiss
Won't it be heard all the way to Tiruchendur?
Male : Rhythm beat (Thinakku tha)
Female : If I give you space to embrace me
Won't my bones get crushed?
உன் வளவி சத்தம்
கேக்கையிலே
என் வயசு இன்னும் குறையாதா
உன்ன வாரி எடுத்து
சுருட்டி கொள்ள
என் வாலிப நரம்பும் துடிக்காதா
When I hear the sound of your bangles
Doesn't my age lessen further?
To scoop you up and roll you in my arms
Don't my youthful nerves throb?
கிச்சு கிச்சு மூட்டும்..
ஆகான்
கீழ திசை காத்து
அய்யோ
வம்பு தும்பு வேணாம்
ம்ம்ம்
நீ வச்ச குறி மாது
ஆ..
It tickles me
Male : Ahaan
Female : The eastern wind blows
Male : Oh dear
Female : Don't start any trouble
Male : Mmm...
Female : Change the target you set
Male : Haaa...
மசாலா அரைக்குற மைனா
உன் மத்தாளம் என்ன விலை
மாராப்பு வழுக்குற மயிலே
உன் மல்லிகைப்பு என்ன விலை
Oh my...
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
தாமிர பரணி தண்ணியிலே
தங்கத்தை உரசி விட்டது போல்
ஆஹா
அட நெளிஞ்சி நெளிஞ்சி போறவளே
நெத்திக்கு சுட்டி நான் தரவா
In the water of the Thamirabarani river
Like gold rubbed into it
Ah.. hey girl walking with sways and curves
Shall I give you a forehead ornament?
நெத்திக்கு சுட்டி வாங்கி புட்டா
ஒத்தைக்கு ஒத்தை
வர சொல்லுவா
உன் முட்ட கண்ணனுக்கு தெரியாம
நான் முடிஞ்சு வச்சதை
தர சொல்லுவா
If I buy that forehead ornament for you
You will call me to meet one-on-one
Without your big round eyes noticing
You will ask me to give what I saved up
பத்த மடை பாயில்
ம்ம்..
பந்தி வைக்க வேணும்
ஆஹா
பத்த வைக்க வந்த
ஏய்
ஒத்துழைக்க வேணும்
On the fine Pathamadai mat
Female : Hmmm
Male : We should lay out a feast
Female : Ahaa
Male : When I come to spark the fire
Female : Hey
Male : You must cooperate
டிங்கிற டிங்கிற
டிங்கிற டிங்கிறா
மசாலா அரைக்குற மைனா
உன் மத்தாளம் என்ன விலை
மாராப்பு வழுக்குற மயிலே
உன் மல்லிகைப்பு என்ன விலை
Rhythm beat (Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura)
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
நீ பொறந்த தேதியில்
அடியே எனக்கு
புத்தி மாறி போச்சு
நீ சமைஞ்ச தேதியில்
அடியே எனக்கு
தூக்கம் தொலைஞ்சு போச்சு
ஆமாம் தூக்கம் தொலைஞ்சு போச்சு
ஆமோய் தூக்கம் தொலைஞ்சு போச்சு
On the date you were born
Oh girl, for me
My mind went crazy
On the date you came of age
Oh girl, for me
I lost my sleep
Yes, I lost my sleep
Oh yes, I lost my sleep
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
Un mathalaam enna vilai
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
Nee porntha thedhiyil
On the date you were born
Adiyae enakku
Oh girl, for me
Puththi maari pochu
My mind went crazy
Nee samanja thedhiyil
On the date you came of age
Adiyae enakku
Oh girl, for me
Thookam tholanju pochu
I lost my sleep
Amaam thookam tholanju pochu
Yes, I lost my sleep
Thinakku thina
Rhythm beat (Thinakku thina)
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
Un mathalaam enna vilai haan
What is the price of your drum-like beauty, haan
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
Seevalaperi muthamitta
If Seevalaperi gives a kiss
Sendhur varaikkum ketkaadha
Won't it be heard all the way to Tiruchendur?
Male :Thinakku tha
Male : Rhythm beat (Thinakku tha)
Female :Anaikka naanum idam kodutha
Female : If I give you space to embrace me
Elumbu kilumbu irukkatha
Won't my bones get crushed?
Un valavi sathyham ketkaiyilae
When I hear the sound of your bangles
En vayasu innum kuraiyadhaa
Doesn't my age lessen further?
Unna vaari eduthu suruti kolla
To scoop you up and roll you in my arms
En vaaliba narambum thudikatha
Don't my youthful nerves throb?
Kichu kichu mootum
It tickles me
Male :Ahaan
Male : Ahaan
Female :Keezha dhisai kaathu
Female : The eastern wind blows
Male :Aiyaiyoo
Male : Oh dear
Female :Vambhu thumbu venam
Female : Don't start any trouble
Male :Mmm…
Male : Mmm...
Female :Nee vacha kuri maaththu
Female : Change the target you set
Male :Haaa…
Male : Haaa...
Yeppo…..
Oh my...
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
Un mathalaam enna vilai
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
Thaamira barani thanniyilae
In the water of the Thamirabarani river
Thangatha urasi vittathu pol
Like gold rubbed into it
Aaa..adi nelinji nelinji poravalae
Ah.. hey girl walking with sways and curves
Nethikku chutti naan tharavaa
Shall I give you a forehead ornament?
Nethikku sutti vaangi putta
If I buy that forehead ornament for you
Othaikku oththa vara solluva
You will call me to meet one-on-one
Un mutta kanukku theriyaama
Without your big round eyes noticing
Naan mudinju vechatha thara solluva
You will ask me to give what I saved up
Paththa madai paayil
On the fine Pathamadai mat
Female :Hmmm
Female : Hmmm
Male :Panthi veikka venum
Male : We should lay out a feast
Female :Ahaa
Female : Ahaa
Male :Paththa veikka vantha
Male : When I come to spark the fire
Female :Yei
Female : Hey
Male :Oththuzhaikka venum
Male : You must cooperate
Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura
Rhythm beat (Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura)
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Hey maina bird who grinds spices
Un mathalaam enna vilai
What is the price of your drum-like beauty?
Adi maarappu valukkura mayilae
Hey peacock whose upper garment slips
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
What is the price of your jasmine flower?
Nee porntha thedhiyil
On the date you were born
Adiyae enakku
Oh girl, for me
Puththi maari pochu
My mind went crazy
Nee samanja thedhiyil
On the date you came of age
Adiyae enakku
Oh girl, for me
Thookam tholanju pochu
I lost my sleep
Amaam thookam tholanju pochu
Yes, I lost my sleep
Aamooi thookam tholanju pochu
Oh yes, I lost my sleep
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic rural folk song from the film Seevalaperi Pandi captures a playful, flirtatious exchange between two lovers set in southern Tamil Nadu. The male protagonist playfully compares his beloved to a maina bird grinding spices and a peacock, expressing how her birth and coming of age turned his world upside down and robbed him of sleep. The female counterpart responds with coy teasing about his passionate affection and bold intentions. Rich in local cultural references, the song incorporates vivid folk imagery—such as the shimmering Thamirabarani river, traditional forehead ornaments, and fine Pathamadai mats—to highlight their intense mutual attraction, youthful passion, and cheeky romantic banter.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ye masaala araikkura maina / Maarappu valukkura mayilae”
Compares the woman to a singing maina bird grinding spices and a graceful peacock.
Simile (Upamai)
“Thaamira barani thanniyilae / Thangatha urasi vittathu pol”
Compares the sparkling water of the Thamirabarani river to gold rubbed into it.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nee porntha thedhiyil / Nee samanja thedhiyil”
The second consonant 'r' in 'porntha' and 'samani' creates traditional Tamil poetic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is deeply rooted in Tirunelveli folk culture, referencing iconic geographical landmarks like the Thamirabarani River, Tiruchendur (Sendhur), and the world-famous handwoven reed mats of Pathamadai village (Pathamadai paai). The soundtrack was composed by Adithyan, celebrated for bringing authentic Southern Tamil folk rhythms to Tamil cinema in the 1990s.
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