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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mathalam Kotta

From En Uyir Kannamma · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
En Uyir Kannamma1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naalu thirunaalu…Four festive days...
Angu nikkiraa nammaalu…There stands our beloved one...
Kelu themmaangu…Listen to this folk song...
Idha kaadhula nee vaangu…Take this into your ears...
Punnaga sindhudhu pongudhae paalaaru…A smile spills and a river of milk overflows...
Male
Mathalam kotta porenI am going to beat the drums
Oru mainaava katta porenI am going to marry a Myna bird
Kuthaalam poga porenI am going to Courtallam
Angu kummaalam poda porenI am going to celebrate with joy there
Thottaal odum pattaampoochiLike a butterfly that flies away if touched
Kannaal pesaama pesum neramIt is the time to speak silently through eyes
Thaanae maanaeOh my sweet deer-like beloved
Female
Mathalam kotta poraanHe is going to beat the drums
Oru mainaava katta poraanHe is going to marry a Myna bird
Female
Salanga oru sodi thaanJust a pair of anklets
Adhu kulungum isai paadi thaanIt shakes and sings a musical song
Puriyum adhan osa thaanIts sound is clearly understood
Adhil theriyum oru aasa thaanA hidden desire is seen in it
Male
Naan aadum podhuWhen I dance
Nee aada venumYou must dance
Aattam paattam oor paakkanumThe whole town must watch our dance and celebration
Naan aadum podhuWhen I dance
Nee aada venumYou must dance
Aattam paattam oor paakkanumThe whole town must watch our dance and celebration
Female
Themmaangu raasaa …Oh king of folk songs...
Thullaadhae laesaa …Do not leap so carelessly...
Male
Ennadi aathaaWhat is it, my dear?
Naalu per paathaaIf four people watch us
Ennadi kannadi padumaaWill an evil eye be cast upon us?
Female
Ada mathalam kotta poraanOh, he is going to beat the drums
Oru mainaava katta poraanHe is going to marry a Myna bird
Kuthaalam poga poraanHe is going to Courtallam
Angu kummaalam poda poraanHe is going to celebrate with joy there
Male
Parakkum pudhu thaavaniThe new half-saree flying in the wind
Adhu padikkum pudhu laavaniIt recites a new romantic song
Kodhikkum mani thaeru neeYou are a boiling jewel chariot
Ola kodhikkum pudhu soru neeYou are freshly cooked hot rice
Female
Soraakkiyaachu verenna pechuThe food is cooked, what else is there to speak?
Sogusaa sugamaa parimaaranumWe must serve it delightfully and comfortably
Soraakkiyaachu verenna pechuThe food is cooked, what else is there to speak?
Sogusaa sugamaa parimaaranumWe must serve it delightfully and comfortably
Male
Achacho paavam …Oh poor guy...
Romba thaan vegam …So much urgency...
Female
Achacho paavam …Oh poor guy...
Romba thaan vegam …So much urgency...
Acham thaan vekkam thaan vidumaaWill fear and shyness ever leave?
Male
Ada mathalam kotta porenOh, I am going to beat the drums
Oru mainaava katta porenI am going to marry a Myna bird
Kuthaalam poga porenI am going to Courtallam
Angu kummaalam poda porenI am going to celebrate with joy there
Female :Thottaal odum pattaampoochiFemale: Like a butterfly that flies away if touched
Kannaal pesaama pesum neramIt is the time to speak silently through eyes
Thaanae maanaeOh my sweet deer-like beloved
Male
Mathalam kotta poraanHe is going to beat the drums
Oru mainaava katta poraanHe is going to marry a Myna bird
Female :Kuthaalam poga poraanFemale: He is going to Courtallam
Angu kummaalam poda poraanHe is going to celebrate with joy there

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat Tamil folk duet expresses the joyful anticipation of courtship, marriage, and love. The male protagonist eagerly announces his plans to celebrate his upcoming marriage, comparing his beloved to a delicate bird ('Mainaa') and expressing his desire to dance together for the entire town to see. The female protagonist responds with playful hesitation, warning him not to jump ahead of himself and teasing him about his eagerness while expressing her own timid affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Oru mainaava katta poren

Comparing the heroine to a Myna bird ('Mainaa') and a butterfly ('Pattaampoochi') to emphasize her delicate nature and beauty.

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Emonai)

Mathalam kotta poren / Oru mainaava katta poren

The repetitive ending '-poren' creates a rhythmic cadence characteristic of folk songs (Themmaangu).

Hyperbole

Punnaga sindhudhu pongudhae paalaaru…

Describing her smile overflowing like a river of milk.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features classical folk elements (Themmaangu rhythm) written by lyricist Vaali for the 1988 film 'En Uyir Kannamma', directed by Sivachandran and starring Prabhu and Radha.

Keep listening

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