Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Seevalaperi Pandi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Masala Araikura

From Seevalaperi Pandi · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, Asha Latha
Music director
Adithyan
Movie name
Seevalaperi Pandi
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
22 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Un mathalaam enna vilai
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
Nee porntha thedhiyil
Adiyae enakku
Puththi maari pochu
Nee samanja thedhiyil
Adiyae enakku
Thookam tholanju pochu
Amaam thookam tholanju pochu
Thinakku thina
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Un mathalaam enna vilai haan
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
Seevalaperi muthamitta
Sendhur varaikkum ketkaadha
Male :Thinakku tha
Female :Anaikka naanum idam kodutha
Elumbu kilumbu irukkatha
Un valavi sathyham ketkaiyilae
En vayasu innum kuraiyadhaa
Unna vaari eduthu suruti kolla
En vaaliba narambum thudikatha
Kichu kichu mootum
Male :Ahaan
Female :Keezha dhisai kaathu
Male :Aiyaiyoo
Female :Vambhu thumbu venam
Male :Mmm…
Female :Nee vacha kuri maaththu
Male :Haaa…
Yeppo…..
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Un mathalaam enna vilai
Maarappu valukkura mayilae
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
Thaamira barani thanniyilae
Thangatha urasi vittathu pol
Aaa..adi nelinji nelinji poravalae
Nethikku chutti naan tharavaa
Nethikku sutti vaangi putta
Othaikku oththa vara solluva
Un mutta kanukku theriyaama
Naan mudinju vechatha thara solluva
Paththa madai paayil
Female :Hmmm
Male :Panthi veikka venum
Female :Ahaa
Male :Paththa veikka vantha
Female :Yei
Male :Oththuzhaikka venum
Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura
Ye masaala araikkura maina
Un mathalaam enna vilai
Adi maarappu valukkura mayilae
Un malligaipoo enna vilai
Nee porntha thedhiyil
Adiyae enakku
Puththi maari pochu
Nee samanja thedhiyil
Adiyae enakku
Thookam tholanju pochu
Amaam thookam tholanju pochu
Aamooi thookam tholanju pochu
Hey, myna bird grinding masala,
what is the price of your drum?
Hey peacock whose saree pallu is slipping,
what is the price of your jasmine flower?
On the day you were born,
oh girl,
I lost my mind!
On the day you came of age,
oh girl,
I lost my sleep!
Yes, I lost my sleep!
Thinakku thina...
Hey, myna bird grinding masala,
what is the price of your drum, huh?
Hey peacock whose saree pallu is slipping,
what is the price of your jasmine flower?
If the man from Seevalaperi gives a kiss,
won't it be heard all the way to Tiruchendur?
Male: Thinakku thaa!
Female: If I let you hold me in your arms,
will any of my bones be left intact?
When I hear the sound of your bangles,
doesn't my age roll back even further?
To sweep you up and hold you tight,
won't the veins of my youth throb?
It tickles me,
Male: Aha!
Female: this breeze from the east!
Male: Oh no!
Female: Don't start any mischief,
Male: Mmm...
Female: change your target!
Male: Ha...
When...?
Hey, myna bird grinding masala,
what is the price of your drum?
Hey peacock whose saree pallu is slipping,
what is the price of your jasmine flower?
Like gold being rubbed into
the waters of the Thamirabarani river,
ah... you sway and curve as you walk,
shall I give you a pendant for your forehead?
If I take a forehead pendant from you,
you will ask me to come meet you alone!
Away from your big, wide eyes,
you will ask for what I have tied and kept safe!
On a Pathamadai mat,
Female: Mhm...
Male: a feast must be served!
Female: Aha!
Male: When I come to spark the fire,
Female: Hey!
Male: you must play along!
Dinguru dinguru dinguru dingura!
Hey, myna bird grinding masala,
what is the price of your drum?
Hey peacock whose saree pallu is slipping,
what is the price of your jasmine flower?
On the day you were born,
oh girl,
I lost my mind!
On the day you came of age,
oh girl,
I lost my sleep!
Yes, I lost my sleep!
Oh yes, I lost my sleep!
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Seevalaperi Pandi

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.