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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Melam Kotti Thaali Kattum

From Nallavan (1988) · 1988

Lyricist
Kalaipuli S. Thanu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Nallavan (1988)1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuThe day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Ilamangai unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuThis young maiden's heart yearns to marry you
Female :Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuFemale: The day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Manavaalan unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuMy heart yearns to wed you as my bridegroom
Male
Azhagu mugam thaamarai pol sivappathennavoWhy is your beautiful face blushing red like a lotus flower?
Idhzh vaai thiranthu ennai azhaikka thudippathennavoWhy is your mouth trembling to open and call for me?
Female
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuThe day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Manavaalan unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuMy heart yearns to wed you as my bridegroom
Female
Neeyo thenmathurai veeranallavaaAre you not the brave hero of southern Madurai?
Kadhal thana thodukkum maaranallavaaAre you not the god of love who shoots arrows of romance?
Neeyo thenmathurai veeranallavaaAre you not the brave hero of southern Madurai?
Kadhal thana thodukkum maaranallavaaAre you not the god of love who shoots arrows of romance?
Male
Paththu viral arputhangalThe miracles created by ten fingers...
Meththaiyila solli thara varavaaShall I come to teach them to you on the bed?
Chiththiramae unnudalilO picture-perfect beauty, upon your body...
Muththamenum muththiraigal tharavaaShall I place seals in the form of kisses?
Female
Mannavanae nenjaththinaiO king of my heart, shall I tease and pinch your heart today?
Indru killi vidattumaaWhen the evening dusk arrives...
Maalai vizhum neram varumShall I surrender myself to you on that occasion?
Andru ennai tharattumaaMale: O sunlight of my life, I travel along your path!
Male :Nyayiru oliyae naanunthan vazhiyaeThe day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Female
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuMy heart yearns to wed you as my bridegroom
Manavaalan unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuWhy is your beautiful face blushing red like a lotus flower?
Male
Azhagu mugam thaamarai pol sivappathennavoWhy is your mouth trembling to open and call for me?
Idhzh vaai thiranthu ennai azhaikka thudippathennavoAaa....aa...aa....aa...aa....
Female
Aaa….aa…aa….aa…aa….The day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuThis young maiden's heart yearns to marry you
Ilamangai unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuHow did the flower-like maiden's body bloom today?
Male
Poomagal meniyindru pooththeppadiyoHow did she gather pearls inside her bright smile?
Punnagaiyil muththukkalai saerththatheppadiyoHow did the flower-like maiden's body bloom today?
Poomagal meniyindru pooththeppadiyoHow did she gather pearls inside her bright smile?
Punnagaiyil muththukkalai saerththatheppadiyoLike twin carp fish in the moonlight...
Female
Vennilavil kendai meengalTwo are leaping and moving about
Rendu thulli thirigirathaeTying a swing in the open sky...
Vaanaththilae oonjal kattiMy heart yearns to sway back and forth
Manam aada thudikkirathaeWill the bounding spotted peacock come every day to rest?
Male
Thulli varum pullimayil dhinamWill it come to share the bed with me?
Palli kolla varumoWill her lightning-slender waist come near...
Chinna idai minnal vanthu ennaiAnd touch and embrace me intimately?
Thottu thazhuvidumoFemale: O classical Sangam Tamil, O sweet fragrance of sandalwood!
Female :Sanga thamizhae santhanaththin manameThe day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Male
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuThis young maiden's heart yearns to marry you
Ilamangai unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuFemale: The day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Female :Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuMy heart yearns to wed you as my bridegroom
Manavaalan unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuWhy is your beautiful face blushing red like a lotus flower?
Male
Azhagu mugam thaamarai pol sivappathennavoWhy is your mouth trembling to open and call for me?
Idhzh vaai thiranthu ennai azhaikka thudippathennavoThe day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Female
Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuMy heart yearns to wed you as my bridegroom
Manavaalan unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuMale: The day to beat the wedding drums and tie the thali is drawing near
Male :Melam kotti thaali kattum naalum nerunguthuThis young maiden's heart yearns to marry you
Ilamangai unnai kattikkavae manasu thavikkuthuNana naa
Female
Nana naaMale: Nana naa
Male :Nana naaFemale: Nana naanaa
Female :Nana naanaaMale: Nana naanaa
Male :Nana naanaaNana naa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful romantic duet between lovers anticipating their upcoming wedding day. The lyrics convey the thrill, intimacy, and eager anticipation of tying the sacred wedding knot ('Thali'). The lovers praise each other's beauty, comparing the groom to a heroic prince of Madurai and the god of love, and the bride to a flower-like maiden whose smile hides pearls and whose eyes sparkle like fish in moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Azhagu mugam thaamarai pol sivappathennavo

Compares the bride's blushing face to a blooming lotus flower.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Punnagaiyil muththukkalai saerththatheppadiyo

Metaphorically compares the bride's smile to precious pearls.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thulli varum pullimayil dhinam / Palli kolla varumo

Matching initial consonant sounds in consecutive lines ('Thulli' / 'Palli', 'Chinna' / 'Thottu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sanga thamizhae santhanaththin maname

Describes the lover using classical Tamil cultural icons: Sangam Tamil literature and sandalwood fragrance.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Nallavan' (1988) featured music composed by Chandrabose, with lyrics penned by noted film producer-lyricist Kalaipuli S. Thanu. The duet is rendered by veteran playback singers Malaysia Vasudevan and K. S. Chithra.

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