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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Melam Kotta

From Lakshmi (1979) · 1979

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Lakshmi (1979)
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
22 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmm…mm…mm…mm…
Mm…mm…mm..mm…
Rarirariraa rarirariraa rarirariraa rarirariraa
Melam kotta neram varum
Poongodiyae
Melam kotta neram varum poongodiyae
Annamae sornamae andru thaan
Indha oorvalam
Melam kotta neram varum
Poongodiyae
Melam kotta neram varum poongodiyae
Aala vattam podudhadi
Nellu payiru
Aala vattam podudhadi
Kalla paarundhu
Maalai ida poravana
Kannil alandhu
Mangai manam alaiyudhadi
Mella parandhu
Thangamae vairamae ilam kiliyae
Kuyilae mayilae idhu unmaiyadi
Melam kotta neram varum
Poongodiyae
Melam kotta neram varum poongodiyae
Oorukkellaam paakku vechu
Kaathiruppen
Oorai ellaam paakka vechu
Manam mudippen
Koora chaela sarasarakka
Anji nadappen
Kondavanin gunam arindhu
Konji sirippen
Ammammaa ennammaa inba mayakkam
Enakkum porakkum pudhu sogam irukkum
Melam kotta neram varum
Poongodiyae
Annamae sornamae andru thaan
Indha oorvalam
Melam kotta neram varum
Poongodiyae
Mmm…mm….mm…..mm…..mm mmm
Mmm... mm... mm... mm...
Mm... mm... mm... mm...
Rarirari-ra rarirari-ra rarirari-ra rarirari-ra
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat,
O tender vine!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat, O tender vine!
My graceful swan, my pure gold, only on that day
will this wedding procession begin!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat,
O tender vine!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat, O tender vine!
Swaying round and round,
the paddy crop waves in the breeze,
Circling high in the sky,
the sly hawk glides along!
Looking closely at the one who will garland her,
measuring him with her shy eyes,
the young girl's heart drifts away,
softly taking flight!
My precious gold, my diamond, my little parrot,
my cuckoo, my peacock, this is truly so!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat,
O tender vine!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat, O tender vine!
Sending betel nuts to invite the whole village,
I will wait eagerly,
With the whole town watching,
I will be happily wed!
With my wedding saree rustling softly,
I will take timid, shy steps,
Knowing my husband's loving nature,
I will laugh and tease him sweetly!
Oh my, what a dizzying, joyful feeling!
A new happiness will be born in me, mixed with sweet parting sorrow.
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat,
O tender vine!
My graceful swan, my pure gold, only on that day
will this wedding procession begin!
The time will come for the wedding drums to beat,
O tender vine!
Mmm... mm... mm... mm... mm mmm
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses the anticipation, joy, and emotional nuance surrounding a traditional Tamil wedding. The speaker reassures a young maiden that her special day is approaching soon, picturing the festive beating of wedding drums, the village procession, and the grand rituals. The lyrics capture the bride's shy affection, her dreams of walking in her wedding silk saree, understanding her future husband, and the mixed feelings of blissful happiness and sweet anxiety that accompany embarking on a new life journey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Thangamae vairamae ilam kiliyae

Addressing the young bride using metaphors of nature and beauty such as 'Poongodiyae' (flowering vine), 'Annamae' (swan), 'Thangamae' (gold), and 'Ilam kiliyae' (young parrot).

Onomatopoeia (ஒலிக்குறிப்பு)

Koora chaela sarasarakka

The term 'sarasarakka' mimics the crisp rustling sound made by a new bridal silk saree as the bride walks.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Oorukkellaam paakku vechu / Oorai ellaam paakka vechu

Repetition of the initial letter/sound 'Oo' across consecutive lines ('Oorukkellaam' / 'Oorai ellaam').

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aala vattam podudhadi / Kalla paarundhu

Matching of the second consonant 'lla' in 'Aala' and 'Kalla'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the acclaimed Tamil lyricist Aalangudi Somu for the 1979 film Lakshmi, this song richly illustrates traditional Tamil wedding customs, such as 'paakku vechu' (extending formal invitations to villagers with betel leaf and nuts) and wearing the 'koora chaela' (traditional bride's silk saree).

Keep listening

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