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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Melatha Mella

From Aruvadai Naal · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aruvadai Naal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Indha melatha mella thattuBeat this drum softly
Female
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Indha melatha mella thattuBeat this drum softly
Male
Anganga killikkittuPinching playfully here and there
Pootti vecha veettukkul jallikkattuA bullfight inside a locked house
Female
Anganga killikkittuPinching playfully here and there
Pootti vecha veettukkul jallikkattuA bullfight inside a locked house
Male
Naan thottu nee thottuI touch, you touch
Thaappaala nee pottuYou latch the door
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Female :Indha melatha mella thattuFemale: Beat this drum softly
Male
Muthira vekkiren kannathulaI place a seal on your cheek
Nithamum naan andha ennathulaEvery day I am lost in that thought
Female
Nithira kettadhu mothathulaSleep was lost altogether
Nikkiren naan unga pakkathulaI am standing right beside you
Male
Nee oru poo maala naan anaikkaYou are a flower garland for me to embrace
Female
Vandhadhu vandhadhu vatta nilaaThe round moon has arrived, has arrived
Vaaliba nenjatha sutta nilaaThe moon that scorched youthful hearts
Male
Pen yena en uyir thotta nilaaThe moon that touched my soul as a woman
Inbatha thooriya pattu nilaaThe silky moon that showered happiness
Female
Kodaiyila vaadaiyilaIn summer breeze and winter chill
Male
Ullatha thottadhu vellatha kottudhuIt touched the heart and pours like a flood
Male
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Indha melatha mella thattuBeat this drum softly
Female
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Indha melatha mella thattuBeat this drum softly
Female
Manmadhan vittadhu baanam allaIt is not an arrow shot by Cupid
Naan indha nerathil naanum allaAt this moment, I am not myself either
Male
Nithirai en vizhi kaanavillaMy eyes could not find any sleep
Nenjinil koodiyum podhavillaEven uniting in the heart is not enough
Female
Aalila aadum aasa naal muzhukkaDesire sways like a banyan leaf all day long
Male
Orathula nadhi theerathulaBy the corner, on the riverbank
Saarathula idhazh eerathulaIn the sweet essence, with wet lips
Female
Nerathula maniyaarathulaAt the right moment, in the gem necklace
Nenjinil yeriya baarathulaIn the weight that climbed onto the heart
Male
Raagathula thaalathulaIn melody and in rhythm
Female
Saendhadhu en manamMy heart joined in
Sonnadhu sammadhamIt gave its consent
Female
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Indha melatha mella thattuBeat this drum softly
Male
Anganga killikkittuPinching playfully here and there
Pootti vecha veettukkul jallikkattuA bullfight inside a locked house
Female
Anganga killikkittuPinching playfully here and there
Pootti vecha veettukkul jallikkattuA bullfight inside a locked house
Male
Naan thottu nee thottuI touch, you touch
Thaappaala nee pottuYou latch the door
Male
Melatha mella thattuBeat the drum softly
Female :Indha melatha mella thattuFemale: Beat this drum softly

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Melatha Mella Thattu from the 1986 Tamil film Aruvadai Naal is a playful and vibrant romantic song depicting the intense intimacy and playful banter between two lovers. Using lively folk metaphors, the song compares the romantic play within the privacy of a home to a spirited bull-taming festival (jallikkattu) and gentle drumbeats. The lyrics capture the overwhelming feelings of passion, sleepless nights, and physical closeness. Throughout the track, the lyrics express how love overwhelms the senses like a flood during summer and winter alike. The song portrays mutual consent and deep emotional connection, framed around poetic imagery of the full moon, riverbanks, and rhythmic melodies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Pootti vecha veettukkul jallikkattu

Compares romantic play behind locked doors to 'Jallikkattu' (bull-taming festival), highlighting intense passion and excitement.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Muthira vekkiren kannathula / Nithamum naan andha ennathula / Nithira kettadhu mothathula

The second consonant 'th' matches across consecutive lines (Muthira, Nithamum, Nithira), creating a natural lyrical flow.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Vandhadhu vandhadhu vatta nilaa

Repetition of the starting letter 'V' across words in the line builds rhythmic momentum.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aruvadai Naal (1986) was directed by G. M. Kumar and marked the debut of actor Prabhu in a rustic lead role alongside Pallavi. The music for the film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song captures the quintessential 1980s rural folk-pop sound popularized by the duo.

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