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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mogana Pon Chithiram

From Kaman Pandigai · 1983

Lyricist
Madhuri Pachaiappan
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kaman Pandigai1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mogana pon chithiramthan naanadiI am indeed a charming golden painting, my friend.
Ennodu mothi nadanamaduvathu yaaradi yaaradiWho is it that dares to collide and dance with me?
Female
Mogana pon chithiramthan naanadiI am indeed a charming golden painting, my friend.
Ennodu mothi nadanamaduvathu yaaradi yaaradiWho is it that dares to collide and dance with me?
Female
Aadi varum pon vilakku naanadiI am a swaying golden lamp, my friend.
Ennodu aattathile pottiyittu paaradi paaradiTry competing with me in dance and see, my friend.
Female
Naattaikurichi paadi naanaduven naattiyamI will sing in Natakurinji ragam and perform dance.
Nalina kalai pottiyile naan velluven nichayamIn this delicate art competition, I will surely win.
Female
Ettu thisaigalilum en sathangai oli ketkumThe sound of my anklets will be heard in all eight directions.
Vettum vizhi asaippil vinnagame asainthaadumWith a flash of my sharp eyes, the heavens will tremble and sway.
Female
Kotti muzhukkugirai keerthiyellaam pesugiraaiYou beat drums loudly and boast of all your fame.
Itta adi itharku ethiraaga aadadiNow dance step-for-step in response to the footstep I set!
Female
Sollukku sol yenadiWhy offer word for word in response, my friend?
Puruva villuku bathil solladiGive an answer to the bow of my eyebrows!
Naan illaatha idaiyaada iru thanga kudamaadaWith my slender waist swaying like it is barely there, and two golden pots swaying,
Nillamal suzhandraaduvenI will twirl and dance without stopping.
Maathar nenjellaam kuzhainthaduvenI will melt the hearts of all women with my dance.
Female
Kaathirendil kuzhaiyaada kaiyirandil valaiyaadaWith earrings swaying in both ears and bangles swaying on both hands,
Kaalirendil silambaada kannirendil oliyaadaAnklets jingling on both feet and light shining in both eyes,
Kaarigai naan sathiraaduvenI, a woman, will perform classical dance.
bharatha kalaiyinile mudi sooduvenI will wear the crown in the art of Bharatanatyam.
Female
Bharatha kalai pazhaiya kathai thaanadi athilBharatanatyam is an old story, my friend; in it,
Paarpatharku pagattellaam yethadi yethadiWhy show off all this glitter and grandeur?
Female
Panbai valarpathu thaan kalaigaladi athilArts are meant to nurture character, my friend; in that,
Pagattukal nuzhaivathendraal kuraigaladi kuraigaladiIf empty glitter enters, it is a flaw, indeed a flaw!
Female
Alukki kulukki thalukki minukkiyeSwishing, shaking, preening, and shimmering,
Aadaamal aaduvathu naattiyamaIs dancing without true grace really considered dance?
Female
Anubavam unakku vanthiduma enWill you ever gain such experience?
Anubavam unakku vanthidumaWill you ever reach my level of experience?
Female
Kodikku nelivai koduthavan yaaradiWho gave flex to the creeper vine, my friend?
Udukkai kandu naan anjuvenaaWill I be afraid upon seeing an udukkai drum?
Tholviyai kandu naan kenjuvenaaWill I beg for mercy upon seeing defeat?
Naan jeyathile mithakkum maaliniI am Maalini, who floats in victory.
Naan jeyathil pirantha chithraI am Chithra, born to conquer.
Female
Vithaiyai kaattadi paarkkalamShow your skill, let us see!
En vegathil aadadi paarkkalamDance at my speed, let us see!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a high-energy dance jugalbandi (a competitive dance duel) between two female artists showcasing their skills, grace, and artistic philosophies. One dancer champions classical tradition, precise rhythm, expressive gaze, and rapid footwork, asserting her supreme dominance in Bharatanatyam. The other challenges this display, arguing that true art lies in character and depth rather than mere glitter and ostentation, boasting her own seasoned experience and unfazed confidence. Through playful banter, rhythmic challenges, and poetic imagery, both performers match step for step in an invigorating artistic showdown.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Mogana pon chithiramthan naanadi

Compares the dancer directly to a charming golden painting and a swaying golden lamp to emphasize beauty and elegance.

Visual and Auditory Imagery (Katchi and Oli Bimbam)

Kaathirendil kuzhaiyaada kaiyirandil valaiyaada / Kaalirendil silambaada kannirendil oliyaada

Creates vivid visual and auditory images of swaying earrings, bangles, anklets, and shining eyes moving together during dance.

Onomatopoeia and Rhyme (Iyaiybu / Monai)

Alukki kulukki thalukki minukkiye

Uses rhythmic and sound-imitative words (Alukki, kulukki, thalukki, minukkiye) to describe fluid bodily grace and stylish movements.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Udukkai kandu naan anjuvenaa / Tholviyai kandu naan kenjuvenaa

Asks challenging questions to assert confidence, fearlessness, and superiority in performance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features a rare duet and vocal showdown between two legendary South Indian playback singers, P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram. Formatted as a traditional classical dance challenge, the song highlights complex rhythmic structures and classical ragas like Natakurinji mentioned directly in the lyrics.

Keep listening

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