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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mogam Piranthadamma

From Engal Thangam · 1970

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Engal Thangam1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mogam pirandhadhammaaDesire was born, my dear lady
Mundhaa naal paarkkaiyilae…When I saw you the day before yesterday...
Male
Naesam pirandhadhammaaAffection was born, my dear lady
Naetru nee nadakkaiyilaeWhen you walked yesterday
Male
Yaekkam pirandhadhammaaLonging was born, my dear lady
Indru nee sirikkaiyilae… ae…When you smiled today...
Inbam pirakkumammaaJoy will be born, my dear lady
Naalai indha vaelaiyilaeTomorrow at this very time
Male
Oru naal koothukkuFor a single day's drama
Meesaiyai vachaan medaiyilaeHe grew a mustache on stage
Maru naal paarkkaiyilWhen looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Male
Oru naal koothukkuFor a single day's drama
Meesaiyai vachaan medaiyilaeHe grew a mustache on stage
Maru naal paarkkaiyilWhen looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Aahaa… marunaal paarkkaiyilAha... when looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Male
Kundu vizhi mandu mozhi sindu mudiRound eyes, silly words, a topknot of hair
Nandu nadai pottaan paarammaaLook, my dear, he walked like a crab
Kattu vizhi muthu mozhiSharp eyes, sweet words like pearls
Sithirathil utharavai kaetten paarammaaLook, my dear, I asked for permission in a picture
Male
Oru naal koothukkuFor a single day's drama
Meesaiyai vachaan medaiyilaeHe grew a mustache on stage
Maru naal paarkkaiyilWhen looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Chorus
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Male
Raaniyammaa aasaippattaThe queen desired
Aada solli aanaiyittaaAnd commanded him to dance
Maru pechenna moochennaWithout another word or breath
Vandhenae endraanHe said, 'I have arrived'
Avan yaarendu per solliStating who he was by name
Nenjodu nindraanHe stood close to her heart
Avan yaarendu per solli nenjodu nindraanStating who he was by name, he stood close to her heart
Male
Buthisaali mathiyilaeAmong the learned and wise
Kathu vecha vithaigalaiThe skills he had acquired
Padichaan paarammaaLook, my dear, he showcased them all
Pombalaiya sokka vachiCharming the woman completely
Pakkam vandhu nikka vachuMaking her come and stand beside him
Sirichaan paarammaaLook, my dear, he smiled
Male
Oru naal koothukkuFor a single day's drama
Meesaiyai vachaan medaiyilaeHe grew a mustache on stage
Maru naal paarkkaiyilWhen looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Male
Paattukkellaam thalai asaichaanHe nodded his head to all the songs
Paakiravan adhisaiyichaanThe onlookers marveled in awe
Avan aattathil mogathai undaakki vechaanIn his dance, he created fascination
Indha koottathil nottathaiIn this entire crowd, his keen gaze
Un mela vachaanHe fixed upon you
Indha koottathil nottathaiIn this entire crowd, his keen gaze
Un mela vachaanHe fixed upon you
Male
Punnagaiyum ponnagaiyumWith smiles and golden ornaments
Minna varum annamadhaiThe swan-like woman coming with a glow
Usuraa nenaichaanaeHe cherished her as his very life
Solliyadhai sonna padiExactly as promised
Enniyadhai enna padiExactly as envisioned
Nenaichaa mudippaaraeWhatever he sets his mind to, he accomplishes
Chorus
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Laalaa… lalalala laa…Laalaa… lalalala laa…
Male
Puli vaesham pottavan thaanThe one disguised as a tiger
Poonaiyai pol maari vandhaanCame transformed like a soft cat
Eli vaettaikku naal vaithuSetting a date for the rat hunt
Poraada vandhaanHe came to fight
Veli vaeshathai mosathaiThe false disguises and deception
Poiyaakka vandhaanHe came to expose as lies
Veli vaeshathai mosathaiThe false disguises and deception
Poiyaakka vandhaanHe came to expose as lies
Male
Kambu sandai vambu sandaiStick fight, rowdy fight
Katti sandai kuthu sandai pottaanWrestling fight, boxing fight—he fought them all
ThaniyaagaAll by himself
Pathu peru mathiyilaeIn the midst of ten opponents
Oththanaaga suthi vandhuSurrounding them single-handedly
Jeyichaan mudivaagaHe emerged victorious in the end
Male
Oru naal koothukkuFor a single day's drama
Meesaiyai vachaan medaiyilaeHe grew a mustache on stage
Maru naal paarkkaiyilWhen looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions
Aahaa… maru naal paarkkaiyilAha… when looking the next day
Maari irundhaan jaadaiyilaeHe had changed in his expressions

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Mogam Pirandhadhammaa' from the 1970 Tamil film Engal Thangam is a lighthearted, playful, and narrative song penned by Vaali. The lyrics trace the progressive stages of romance across consecutive days—from initial attraction (day before yesterday) to affection (yesterday), yearning (today), and ultimate bliss (tomorrow). Through clever theatrical metaphors, the song describes a protagonist who uses disguises, charm, and martial arts skills to navigate dynamic situations, expose hypocrisy, and win the heart of his beloved. Beyond its romantic banter, the song highlights the hero's intelligence, physical prowess, and determination. He fights off multiple foes single-handedly, accomplishes whatever he resolves to do, and captivates everyone around him, reflecting the classic heroic storytelling style associated with MGR's cinema in that era.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mogam pirandhadhammaa

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow (Mogam / Naesam / Yaekkam / Inbam).

Iyaibu (Internal Rhyming)

Kundu vizhi mandu mozhi sindu mudi

Internal rhyming ending syllables ('vizhi', 'mozhi', 'mudi') create a swift, playful musical cadence.

Simile and Metaphor (Uvamai)

Puli vaesham pottavan thaan / Poonaiyai pol maari vandhaan

Uses animal imagery (tiger, cat, rat) metaphorically to represent disguise, tactical stealth, and defeating enemies.

Did you know?

Trivia

Engal Thangam (1970) was a major commercial hit starring M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The film's soundtrack was composed by M.S. Viswanathan, with iconic lyrics by Vaali, tailored perfectly to suit MGR's screen persona combining action, charm, and moral themes.

Keep listening

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