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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mattu Mattu

From Thamizhan · 2002

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
D. Imman, Anuradha Sriram
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Thamizhan2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maatu maatuHook it, hook it
Nee maattennu sollaporaYou are going to say no
Maattava maattuShall I hook it? Hook it
Poottu pootu indhaLock it, lock it, this
Poottukaetha saavi naanthaanI am the right key for this lock
Poottava poottuShall I lock it? Lock it
Female
Mudhalil nee mudichu poduFirst, you tie the knot
Piragu nee aattam poduAfter that, you dance
Male :En pazhutha manasuMale: My ripe heart
Sulukki kidakkuIs lying sprained
Thottu thottu sulukku eduTouch it, touch it and relieve the sprain
Chorus
……………………….....................
Male
Maatu maatuHook it, hook it
Nee maattennu sollaporaYou are going to say no
Maattava maattuShall I hook it? Hook it
Male
Maatu maatuHook it, hook it
Nee maattennu sollaporaYou are going to say no
Maattava maattuShall I hook it? Hook it
Poottu pootu indhaLock it, lock it, this
Poottukaetha saavi naanthaanI am the right key for this lock
Poottava poottuShall I lock it? Lock it
Female
Mudhalil nee mudichu poduFirst, you tie the knot
Piragu nee aattam poduAfter that, you dance
En pazhutha manasuMy ripe heart
Sulukki kidakkuIs lying sprained
Thottu thottu sulukku eduTouch it, touch it and relieve the sprain
Female
Oh thanna thanakkuOh thanna thanakku
Dhina thaanaanaDhina thaanaana
Kannaa un kannu pattu poovaanaDarling, touched by your eyes, I became a flower
Pottu en nethi pottuThe bindi on my forehead
Pattu un nenjil pattuTouches your chest like silk
Otto-nnu ottum madhanaO Cupid, stick to me like glue
Male
Oh thanna thanakkuOh thanna thanakku
Dhina thaanaanaDhina thaanaana
Ulnaakkil kothum kili needhaanaAre you the parrot that pecks on the soft palate?
Kannil mazhaiyadikkaWhile rain lashes in the eyes
Nenjil thee thee pidikkaFire catches in the heart
kaikaari kanna vettinaThe vegetable seller winks her eye
Female
Nee manmadhanin raajiyathilIn the kingdom of Cupid
Mannu thinnu valarndhavanaWere you raised eating dirt?
Un puvi ennaWhat is your power
Male
Un thimira kaattirukkaTo display your arrogance?
Unakku yetha varanaaAm I the Lord Indra
Naan indhiranaWho is the suitable groom for you?
Female :Nee methai mela vithaiFemale: Are you the master craftsman
Kaattum vithaganaWho shows tricks on the bed?
Male
Maatu maatuHook it, hook it
Nee maattennu sollaporaYou are going to say no
Maattava maattuShall I hook it? Hook it
Poottu pootu indhaLock it, lock it, this
Poottukaetha saavi naanthaanI am the right key for this lock
Poottava poottuShall I lock it? Lock it
Female
Oh thanna thanakkuOh thanna thanakku
Dhina thaanaanaDhina thaanaana
Kanna un ulang kaiyil thaenaanaDarling, in your palm I became honey
Munna kai thottadhilaBy touching your forehand
Manna un kaiyil sikkinaOh king, I got trapped in your hands
Male
Oh thanna thanakkuOh thanna thanakku
Dhina thaanaanaDhina thaanaana
Popol kuthum mullu needhaanaAre you the thorn that pricks like a flower?
Epper un nirathukkumFor your color
Epper un tharathukkumFor your stature
pithaagi puthi kettenaaI became crazy and lost my senses
Female
Nee sikkanathilIn frugality
Mutham tharum laganathil porandhavanaWere you born in an auspicious time that gives kisses?
Mutham onnudhaanaIs a kiss all you give?
Male :Un mogam theerkaMale: To satisfy your lust
Ivan mutham podum machine-aIs this guy a kissing machine?
Kaama vaithiyanaOr a doctor of desire?
Female :Nee maedu pallamFemale: Are you the artist who draws lines
Kodu podum oviyanaOver ups and downs (curves)?
Male
Maatu maatuHook it, hook it
NeeYou
Hei maatu maatu neeHey hook it, hook it, you
Male
Hei maatu maatuHey hook it, hook it
Nee maattennu sollaporaYou are going to say no
Maattava maattuShall I hook it? Hook it
Female :Poottu pootu indhaFemale: Lock it, lock it, this
Poottukaetha saavi neethaanYou are the key for this lock
Poottaiyaa poottuLock it, sir, lock it
Female
Mudhalil nee mudichu poduFirst, you tie the knot
Piragu nee aattam poduAfter that, you dance
En pazhutha manasuMy ripe heart
Sulukki kidakkuIs lying sprained
Thottu thottu sulukku eduTouch it, touch it and relieve the sprain

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maatu Maatu' from the film Thamizhan is a playful, sensual duet between two lovers expressing their deep romantic pull and attraction toward each other. Using wordplay around locking, keying, hooking, and physical closeness, the couple teases each other about marriage, desire, and emotional surrender. The song balances rustic romantic imagery with upbeat rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

Poottukaetha saavi naanthaan

Comparing the lover to a key matching a lock ('Poottukaetha saavi naanthaan') to express perfect compatibility.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

En pazhutha manasu / Sulukki kidakku

Rhyming of second consonant across lines ('pazhutha' / 'sulukki').

Rhyme and Wordplay (Monaani / Yamakam)

Maatu maatu / Nee maattennu sollapora

Playful repetition of double meaning verbs 'Maatu' (hook/trap) and 'Poottu' (lock).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thamizhan' (2002) starred Vijay and marked the Tamil film debut of Priyanka Chopra. The music was composed by D. Imman in his debut film as a music director.

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