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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mathulam Pazhathukku

From Anbalippu · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anbalippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Humming…Humming...
Male
Maathulam pazhathukku peyar maathulamThe pomegranate fruit is named pomegranate
Paruvathil varum maambazhamThe mango fruit arrives with youthfulness
Rasipavan peyar kadhalanThe one who enjoys it is called a lover
Panthadum pazhathottam paavai meniyoIs the maiden's body a playful fruit garden?
Maathulam pazhathukku peyar maathulamThe pomegranate fruit is named pomegranate
Paruvathil varum maambazhamThe mango fruit arrives with youthfulness
Rasipavan peyar kadhalanThe one who enjoys it is called a lover
Panthadum pazhathottam paavai meniyoIs the maiden's body a playful fruit garden?
Female
Illamai muluthum unathu veeduMy entire youth is your home
Eduthu rasithu kavithai paaduTake it, enjoy it, and sing poetry
Illamai muluthum unathu veeduMy entire youth is your home
Eduthu rasithu kavithai paaduTake it, enjoy it, and sing poetry
Paadumpothu asai nooru poga poga inbam veruWhile singing, a hundred desires arise, and as time passes, the pleasure deepens
Male
Kannangalil minnum thiratchai pazhamThe glistening grape fruit on the cheeks
Vanna idazh sinthum kovaipazhamThe ivy gourd fruit spilled by colorful lips
Kann irandil ulla asaipazhamThe fruit of desire residing within the two eyes
Kadhal pazham adhu maathulam pazhamThat fruit of love is the pomegranate fruit
Female :AhhFemale : Ahh
Maathulam pazhathukku peyar maathulamThe pomegranate fruit is named pomegranate
Paruvathil varum maambazhamThe mango fruit arrives with youthfulness
Rasipavan peyar kadhalanThe one who enjoys it is called a lover
Panthadum pazhathottam paavai meniyaeOh, the maiden's body is a playful fruit garden
Maathulam…Pomegranate...
Male
Iravil nilavu sirikum pothuWhen the moon smiles in the night
Irandu uyirgal thudika vendumTwo souls must throb as one
Iravil nilavu sirikum pothuWhen the moon smiles in the night
Irandu uyirgal thudika vendumTwo souls must throb as one
Thudikum nenjam mayanga vendumThe throbbing heart should swoon
Thoongum pothu vidiya vendumDawn should arrive while resting together
Female :Manthirathil unnai mayanga vaithenFemale : I made you swoon as if under a magical spell
Manjal mugam konjam sivaka vaithaaiYou made my turmeric-toned face blush red
Sangamathil naan vizhunthuvittenI have surrendered into this deep union
Enna sugam nee vazhangi vittai ahhAh, what blissful joy you have bestowed upon me
MaathulamPomegranate
Male :Pazhathukku peyar maathulamMale : The fruit is named pomegranate
Female :Paruvathil varum maambazhamFemale : The mango fruit arrives with youthfulness
Male :Rasipavan peyar kadhalanMale : The one who enjoys it is called a lover
Female :Panthadum pazhathottam paavai meniyaeFemale : Oh, the maiden's body is a playful fruit garden
Both :MaathulamBoth : Pomegranate

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maathulam Pazhathukku' is a classic romantic duet from the 1969 Tamil movie Anbalippu, composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and penned by Kannadasan. The song employs lush botanical allegories—comparing a young woman's youth, beauty, and emotional allure to sweet, ripening fruits like pomegranate, mango, grapes, and kovai. Through vivid poetic imagery, the couple expresses their deep intimacy, passion, and mutual admiration under the moonlit night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Rupakam)

Kannangalil minnum thiratchai pazham / Vanna idazh sinthum kovaipazham

Kannadasan ingeniously metaphors the female anatomy and emotions with various sweet fruits: grapes for cheeks, kovai for lips, and pomegranate for youthful love.

Anaphora / Refrain (Ettugai / Monai)

Maathulam pazhathukku peyar maathulam / Paruvathil varum maambazham

Repetition of fruit imagery and rhythmic line patterns enhancing the musicality and poetic flow across verses.

Did you know?

Trivia

Anbalippu (1969) starred Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. The track highlights the unique vocal chemistry between P. B. Sreenivas and P. Susheela, set to M. S. Vishwanathan's melodious arrangement that relies heavily on natural fruit metaphors famously mastered by lyricist Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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