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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayavarathu Maya Kuthira

From Katta Panchayathu · 1996

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Katta Panchayathu1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai (Mayavaram),
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Male
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai,
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnuRolling her eyes, a maiden horse,
Manasa vetti parikkuthadaaIs cutting open and snatching my heart, oh man!
Male
Nee sutta dosaithaan vaanaththilaeThe dosa you made, in the sky,
Velli nilavaa thiriyuthaeIs wandering like a silver moon.
Nee itta chutney nenjukullaeThe chutney you served, inside my heart,
Moga neruppaa eriyuthaeIs burning like a fire of desire.
Miratttuthae virattuthae adadadadaaIt threatens me, it chases me, adadadadaa!
Chorus
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai,
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnuRolling her eyes, a maiden horse,
Manasa vetti parikkuthadaaIs cutting open and snatching my heart, oh man!
Male
Ha…..kadhal vaazhai nattu vachchenHa... I planted a banana plant of love,
Chorus :Valara romba naal aagumaeChorus: It will take many days to grow!
Male :Ada singapooraa adi thinga poraaMale: Hey Singapore girl, she's going to devour it,
Kalyaana maalai katti vachchaenI made a wedding garland,
Chorus :Udhirntha naarum minjaathaannaeChorus: Not even a withered fiber will remain!
Male
Akkaporaa thinnatha kakka poraaMale: It's a mess, she will vomit what she ate,
Kaaththu veesum kattaantharaIn this breezy open barren field,
Kadhal paaya pottukkalaWe can lay out a mat of love,
Thaazhaiyooththu thanni thoraLike opening water from Thaazhaiyoothu,
Ha thaagam thaniya pesikkalaamHa, we can talk alone to quench our thirst!
Male
Race-yil odum…Running in the race...
Chorus :Eththanaiyo kuthiraChorus: So many horses,
Male :Less-yil varumaaMale: Will it come for less?
Chorus :Oththaiyila madhuraChorus: Madhura alone on her own,
Male :Thottu kadivaalam etti pudichchaalaeMale: If you reach out and grab her bridle,
Pattu pattu pattunnuPattu pattu pattunnu (rapid sound),
Adhu vetti vetti etti othaikkumIt will kick and strike repeatedly!
Chorus
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai,
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnuRolling her eyes, a maiden horse,
Manasa vetti parikkuthadaaIs cutting open and snatching my heart, oh man!
Male
Nee nadanthaa sariyuthammaaWhen you walk, girl, it crumbles down,
Chorus :Annan manasi kottai ellamChorus: All the fortresses of brother's heart,
Male :Samsaarammaa adi sanniyaasamaaMale: Is it family life, or is it asceticism?
Vaaya thoranthaa thaenaaruthaanWhen she opens her mouth, it's a river of honey,
Chorus :Pinju manasu anjaaruthaanChorus: Her tender heart is scared,
Male :Kettu pochchu manam vittu pochchuMale: My heart is ruined, it has lost control,
Male
Pulla payathaan pichchumaniThis young boy, Pichumani,
Kadhal pichchaithaan kekkuraenIs begging for the alms of love!
Vaayil oorum echchalilaeSwimming in the mouth-watering saliva,
Neendhi ichchuthaan kotturaanHe is showering kisses!
Male
EttaathappaaIt won't reach, my friend!
Chorus :Yaeni vachchu paaruChorus: Try using a ladder!
Male :MuttaathappaaMale: It won't butt, my friend!
Chorus :Morattu pasu maaduChorus: Like a stubborn cow,
Male :Nee vitta kottaavi ettillae paththillaeMale: The yawn you let out is not in eight or ten,
Ketta vaarththai solla poraenI am going to speak a bad word,
Kaadha konjam poththik kollappaaCover your ears a little bit, man!
Male
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai,
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnuRolling her eyes, a maiden horse,
Manasa vetti parikkuthadaaIs cutting open and snatching my heart, oh man!
Male
Nee sutta dosaithaan vaanaththilaeThe dosa you made, in the sky,
Velli nilavaa thiriyuthaeIs wandering like a silver moon.
Nee itta chutney nenjukullaeThe chutney you served, inside my heart,
Moga neruppaa eriyuthaeIs burning like a fire of desire.
Miratttuthae virattuthae adadadadaaIt threatens me, it chases me, adadadadaa!
Chorus
Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnuA magical horse from Mayiladuthurai,
Manasa katti izhukkuthadaaIs tying up and pulling my heart, oh man!
Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnuRolling her eyes, a maiden horse,
Manasa vetti parikkuthadaaIs cutting open and snatching my heart, oh man!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maayavaraththu Maaya Kuthirai is a lively folk song from the 1996 film Katta Panchayathu, penned by Muthulingam. The song features a humorous and energetic exchange where the male protagonist metaphorically compares his fierce yet charming beloved to an untamed magical horse from Mayiladuthurai. He hyperbolically describes mundane everyday items like dosas and chutney as heavenly or passionate elements that consume his heart and mind. Throughout the track, a chorus acts as a mischievous group of friends, banteringly poking fun at the protagonist's high hopes and warning him of the difficulties in taming such a feisty woman. Despite their teasing and the realistic obstacles, the protagonist playfully surrenders to his affection, begging for love and reveling in the quirky romantic imagery typical of rural Tamil folk traditions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Nee sutta dosaithaan vaanaththilae Velli nilavaa thiriyuthae

Compares a freshly cooked dosa to the silver moon wandering in the sky.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Vaaya thoranthaa thaenaaruthaan

Exaggerates her sweet voice when she opens her mouth as a flowing river of honey.

Alliteration (Monai)

Maayavaraththu maaya kuthirai onnu

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning of words for rhythmic effect.

Extended Metaphor

Kaanna sozhatti kanni kuthirai onnu

Comparing the wild, spirited nature of the maiden to an untamed racehorse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Katta Panchayathu (1996) features raw rural Tamil folk compositions. Muthulingam's lyrics use rustic metaphors like dosas, chutneys, and wild horses to weave humor into romantic expressions.

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