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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Megam Thanni Megam

From Puthiya Adimaigal · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
A. L. Ragavan, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Puthiya Adimaigal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kodaali mudichchu pottuTying her hair into a traditional axe-style bun
Koondhalaththaan madichchu pottuNeatly folding and styling her long tresses
Vaadaatha malliyappoo sirikkiraa…aaa…aa….The unfading jasmine flower smiles on her head...
Kannilae vanaaththi poochiyaattamLike a butterfly fluttering inside her eyes
Parakkuraa…aaa….aa…aa….She flies around gracefully...
Male
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl
Manmathanum paakkuraan ena thaakkuraanEven Cupid looks at us and attacks me with love
Thunai kekkuraanAsking for a soul companion
Achchadiththa chiththirame anthiri sunthari sownthariyaeOh picture-perfect beauty, divine gorgeous maiden!
Male
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl
Male
Unnai kandaa kannu vaippaenIf I see you, I will keep my gaze locked on you
Kannukkullae ennai vaippaenI will keep myself inside your eyes
En nenaippil unna vaippaenI will hold you safe inside my thoughts
Un udhattil unna vaippenI will keep your name upon my lips
Male
Vellarikka keeththu polaLike a fresh slice of cucumber
Vaigai nadhi ooththu polaLike the pure spring water of the Vaigai river
Kollidaththu kaaththupolaLike the cool breeze across the Kollidam river
Pullarikka seitha pullaeOh girl who gave me goosebumps
Male
AnaikattumaaShall I embrace you now?
Chorus :Pudi pudi pudi pudi pudi pudiChorus: Catch, catch, catch, catch, catch, catch!
Male :KodukkattumaaMale: Shall I give it to you?
Chorus :Kodu kodu kodu kodu koduChorus: Give, give, give, give, give!
Male
Paththu peru saatchiyaaWith ten people standing as witnesses
Kansaatchiyaa varamaattiyaaWon't you come as my inner conscience?
Achchadiththa chiththiramae anthari sunthari sownthariyae…Oh picture-perfect beauty, divine gorgeous maiden...
Chorus
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl
Male
Muththuvalai mookkuththiyumPearl nose-ring and pearl bangles
Neththi sutti thongattaanumForehead ornament and hanging ear pendant
Ettu kallu vatta thodumAn eight-gem circular ear stud
Ennai kelu vaangi thaaraenJust ask me, and I will buy and give them all to you
Male
Un sirippu thennampaalaiYour smile is like sweet coconut flower sap
Un vanappu vannasolaiYour beauty is a vibrant colorful garden
Kandavudan pullum aadaUpon seeing you, even grass blades begin to dance
Kattikkadi maman tholaEmbrace your uncle's shoulders tightly
Male
IrukkattumaaShall I hold you tight?
Chorus :Iru iru iru iru iru iruChorus: Hold, hold, hold, hold, hold, hold!
Male :EdukkattumaaMale: Shall I take it?
Chorus :Edu edu edu edu edu eduChorus: Take, take, take, take, take, take!
Male
Vettiveru vasamae palamaasamae un nesameYour love is like the long-lasting fragrance of vetiver roots over many months
Achchadiththa chiththiramae anthari sundhari soundhariyae….Oh picture-perfect beauty, divine gorgeous maiden....
Chorus
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl
Male
Aakki vachcha aappaththukku ooththaTo pour over cooked appam dishes
Venum thaengaappaaluSweet coconut milk is needed
Paakki vachchaa aavaathungaIf you leave things pending, it won't work out
Paaththaa pasi pogaathungaMerely looking at food won't satisfy your hunger
Male
SirikkattumaaShall I smile now?
Chorus :Siri siri siri siri siri siriChorus: Smile, smile, smile, smile, smile, smile!
Male :MayakkattumaaMale: Shall I entrance you?
Chorus :Sari sari sari sari sari sariChorus: Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay!
Male
Ennai konjam paaru poonthaeru padu joruLook at me a little, oh flower chariot, so splendid!
Achchadiththa chiththirmae anthari sunthari sowntharithaan…Oh picture-perfect beauty, divine gorgeous maiden...
Male
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl
Chorus
Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadiCloud, water-filled cloud, the sky has turned dark, my girl
Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadiDesire, maiden desire, my body shivers with goosebumps, my girl

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Megam Thanni Megam' from 'Puthiya Adimaigal' (1981) is a playful and romantic folk-style Tamil duet composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Gangai Amaran. The protagonist serenades his beloved, comparing her beauty to nature—cucumber slices, river breezes, and blooming jasmine flowers. The chorus acts as a lively backing group responding to the protagonist's romantic inquiries, creating a festive, folk-theater atmosphere. The lyrics mix flirtatious banter with rural metaphors, such as comparing love to sweet coconut milk for appam or the enduring scent of vetiver roots. It captures the anticipation of rain and love simultaneously, as dark clouds roll in and spark feelings of desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Megam thanni megam vaanam karuththathadi / Mogam kanni mogam thegam silirththathadi

Matching second consonants across lines: 'Megam' and 'Mogam'.

Uwamai (Simile)

Vellarikka keeththu pola / Vaigai nadhi ooththu pola

Comparing the heroine's fresh beauty to a slice of cucumber and river breezes.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Un sirippu thennampaalai / Un vanappu vannasolai

Describing her smile as sweet coconut flower sap and her physical form as a colorful garden.

Anaphora & Call-and-Response

Male :Kodukkattumaa / Chorus :Kodu kodu kodu kodu kodu

Repetitive rhythmic responses from the chorus to create dynamic musical pacing.

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Trivia

This track features playback singer A. L. Ragavan, who was prominent in the 1950s-1970s, bringing a theatrical folk style to Ilaiyaraaja's arrangement. Lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently incorporated authentic rural metaphors (like appam with coconut milk and vetiver scent) into Ilaiyaraaja's energetic folk compositions.

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