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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mittayi Thenkuzhalu Kutti

From Rajathi Rojakili · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Rajathi Rojakili1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mittaayi thaenkuzhalu kuttiLittle sweet candy and thaenkuzhal snack,
Murukku laddu poonthi vadaiMurukku, laddu, boondi, and vadai,
Thattaama vaangi thaaraenI will buy and give them all to you without fail,
Thangamae nee vaai thiranthaaMy precious darling, if you only open your mouth to ask.
Female
Karupparasi soraakkiHaving cooked the black rice,
Paruppu kozhambu kaachchiAnd prepared the lentil curry,
Kinniyilae podum munnaeBefore it could even be served into the bowl,
Kai velangu vanthuduchchaamThey say handcuffs came upon my hands.
Female
Karupparasi soraakkiHaving cooked the black rice,
Paruppu kozhambu kaachchiAnd prepared the lentil curry,
Kinniyilae podum munnaeBefore it could even be served into the bowl,
Kai velangu vanthuduchchaamThey say handcuffs came upon my hands.
Female
Aththula vellaam vara aalum munga thanni varaAs floodwaters flow in the river deep enough to submerge a person,
Thanni vantha aaththoram kaanaama yaenguraenaeAs the water reaches the riverbank, I pine away without seeing you.
Aththula vellaam vara aalum munga thanni varaAs floodwaters flow in the river deep enough to submerge a person,
Thanni vantha aaththoram kaanaama yaenguraenaeAs the water reaches the riverbank, I pine away without seeing you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-infused song from the 1985 film 'Rajathi Rojakili' expresses a blend of affectionate courtship and poignant yearning. The lover initially promises a lavish spread of traditional Tamil sweets and snacks to his beloved if she simply asks for them. However, the song shifts into a traditional folk motif describing a sudden, unfortunate twist of fate where someone is handcuffed right before eating a freshly cooked meal, followed by a metaphor of rising floodwaters on a riverbank representing intense emotional grief and longing due to separation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Mittaayi thaenkuzhalu kutti

Repetition of the 'M' sound across adjacent lines ('Mittaayi', 'Murukku'), establishing a rhythmic folk cadence.

Sensory Imagery (Culinary Imagery)

Murukku laddu poonthi vadai

Enumeration of iconic Tamil snacks and dishes (thaenkuzhal, murukku, laddu, boondi, vadai, karuppu arasi, paruppu kozhambu) to evoke rural warmth and comfort.

Metaphor

Aththula vellaam vara aalum munga thanni vara

Deep, person-submerging river floods ('aalum munga thanni') serve as a metaphor for overwhelming emotions and grief caused by separation.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rajathi Rojakili' (1985) featured music by Chandrabose, who was known for blending authentic Tamil folk rhythms with popular film arrangements during the mid-1980s. Lyricist Muthulingam drew heavily upon authentic Tamil rural food items and folk proverbs for this song's lyrics.

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