Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mella Mella

From Vaazhkai · 1984

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singers
Seetharaman, Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhkai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mella mella ennai thottuTouching me very softly
Manmadhan un velaiyaiOh Cupid, show your magic
Kaattu oh un pattuShow your song
Aadu oh vanthaaduDance, come and dance
Male
Nee tharaathathaalBecause you did not give
Naan thodaathathaalBecause I did not touch
Sollithanthu allikkollaTo teach and embrace
SondhamaagavillaiyaeHas it not become our own?
Male
Dhegam oh un dhegamBody, oh your body
Mogam oh un dhaagamDesire, oh your thirst
Male
Vandu thedum poovai kanduSeeing the flower sought by the beetle
Anthi maalai thoothugalThe evening time messengers
Pogum oh thappaathuWill go without fail
Idhu podhum oh ippodhuIs this enough for now?
Female
Vanthu serumWill come and join
Vaazhthu chenduA bouquet of blessings
Rendu perum sernthidumOn the day the two unite
Naalil oh pon naalilOn that golden day
Tholil oh un maalaiYour garland upon the shoulder
Male
Laa lalaalalaa laaLaa lalaalalaa laa
Laa lalaalalaa laaLaa lalaalalaa laa
Female :Naan thanthaalennaFemale: What if I give?
Nee thanthaalennaWhat if you give?
Female
Mella mella ennai thottuTouching me very softly
Manmadhan un velaiyaiOh Cupid, show your magic
Kaattu oh un pattuShow your song
Aadu oh vanthaaduDance, come and dance
Female
Thotta bodhum vitta bodhumWhen touched and when left
Etti ninnu paarththathumLooking from a distance
Oorum oh kalloorumShyness melts and oozes
Naanam oh pen naanamShyness, oh female shyness
Male
Kaathil nooru kaadhal mettuA hundred love tunes in the ear
Sollum jaathi mullaiyoDoes the jasmine flower speak?
Mottu oh penn chittuBud, oh little bird of a woman
Pattu oh ven pattuSilk, oh white silk
Female
Laa lalaalalaa laaLaa lalaalalaa laa
Laa lalaalalaa laaLaa lalaalalaa laa
Male :Vaa vanthaadu neeMale: Come, come and dance
Oh kondaadu neeOh, celebrate!
Male
Sollithanthu allikkollaTo teach and embrace
SondhamaagavillaiyaeHas it not become our own?
Dhegam oh un dhegamBody, oh your body
Mogam oh un dhaagamDesire, oh your thirst
Female
Lalalalalala lala laaaLalalalalala lala laaa
Male :Lala oh lalaaMale: Lala oh lalaa
Female :Lala oh lalaaFemale: Lala oh lalaa
Female
Mella mella ennai thottuTouching me very softly
Manmadhan un velaiyaiOh Cupid, show your magic
Kaattu oh un pattuShow your song
Aadu oh vanthaaduDance, come and dance

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and rhythmic duet portrays a romantic interaction between two lovers calling upon Manmadhan (Cupid) to ignite their romance. They share their tender feelings, describing physical closeness, playful coyness, and deep passionate yearning using evocative imagery from nature such as flowers, beetles, and soft silk.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe (Invocation)

Manmadhan un velaiyai

Addressing 'Manmadhan' (the Hindu deity of love/Cupid) directly to unleash passion.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Dhegam oh un dhegam / Mogam oh un dhaagam

Rhyming of the second letter 'egam' across consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.

Metaphor

Mottu oh penn chittu / Pattu oh ven pattu

Comparing the female protagonist to a blooming flower, a young bird, and white silk.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is featured in the 1984 Tamil film 'Vaazhkai', directed by C. V. Rajendran, featuring music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by M. G. Vallabhan.

Keep listening

More from Vaazhkai