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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mookkuthi Thongalile Munne

From Pudhiya Thoranangal · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Pudhiya Thoranangal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mookkuththi thongalilaeIn the hanging nose ring,
Munnae oru pachcha kalluThere is a green stone in the front,
Pakkaththula sevappu kalluA red stone right next to it,
Paakkumpothu izhukkuthadiWhen I look at it, it pulls me in!
Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuOh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuOh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Female
Haa mookkuththi thongalilaeAh, in the hanging nose ring,
Munnae oru pachcha kalluThere is a green stone in the front,
Pakkaththula sevappu kalluA red stone right next to it,
Paakkumpothu izhukkuthadiWhen I look at it, it pulls me in!
Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuOh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuOh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Male
Udhadu sevantha pulla ulloora sirikkum pullaThe girl with red lips, the girl who smiles deep inside,
Etti pudichcha kaiyi ettu naalaa manakkuthadiThe hand that reached out and held her has smelled fragrant for eight days!
Udhadu sevantha pulla ulloora sirikkum pullaThe girl with red lips, the girl who smiles deep inside,
Etti pudichcha kaiyi ettu naalaa manakkuthadiThe hand that reached out and held her has smelled fragrant for eight days!
Female
Kalloda kadalorasa…aa…As the sea brushes against the rock...
Kadalu thanniya meenurasa….aa….As the fish brushes against the seawater...
Kalloda kadalorasa kadalu thanniya meenurasaAs the sea brushes against the rock, as the fish brushes against the seawater,
Unnoda naanurasa olagamthaan poruththidumoIf I brush against you, will the world bear it?
Male
Mookkuththi mookkuththiNose stud, nose stud...
Mookkuththi thongalilaeIn the hanging nose ring,
Munnae oru pachcha kalluThere is a green stone in the front,
Female :Pakkaththula sevappu kalluFemale: A red stone right next to it,
Paakkumpothu izhukkuthadiWhen I look at it, it pulls me in!
Male :Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuMale: Oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Female :Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuFemale: Oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Female
Oruththi samanjirukkaa oorellaam paaththirukkaA girl has come of age, and the whole town has seen it,
Sirichcha mogaththodu sevaththa machchaan kaanalaiyaeBut with a smiling face, my fair cousin is nowhere to be seen!
Male
Maaralavu thanniyilae…ae….In chest-deep water...
Maranjikittu kulikkaiyilae….ae….While taking a bath hiding away...
Maaralavu thanniyilae aranjikittu kulikkaiyilaeIn chest-deep water, while bathing half-covered,
Oralavu naan paarththaen ullamellaam inikkuthadiI caught a glimpse, and my whole heart feels sweet!
Female
Mookkuththi mookkuththiNose stud, nose stud...
Mookkuththi thongalilaeIn the hanging nose ring,
Munnae oru pachcha kalluThere is a green stone in the front,
Male :Pakkaththula sevappu kalluMale: A red stone right next to it,
Paakkumpothu izhukkuthadiWhen I look at it, it pulls me in!
Female :Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuFemale: Oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Male :Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuMale: Oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Female
Mela theru kozhiyodu meya vanthathu sevalaiyaaDid the reddish rooster come to feed with the hen from the upper street?
Koovaththaan theriyumo kulirkaalam thaangumoDoes it know how to crow? Can it endure the cold season?
Male
Kovaththaan theriyum pulla….yae….It only knows anger, girl...
Thottathumthaan theriyum pulla….ae….It will know only when touched, girl...
Kovaththaan theriyum pulla….It only knows anger, girl...
Thottathumthaan theriyum pulla….It will know only when touched, girl...
Kulirkaalam vanthuvittaa kokkarichchu paadum pullaOnce the cold season arrives, it will cluck and sing, girl!
Female
MookkuththiNose stud...
Male :MookkuththiMale: Nose stud...
Female :Mookkuththi thongalilaeFemale: In the hanging nose ring,
Munnae oru pachcha kalluCentral green stone,
Male :Pakkaththula sevappu kalluMale: Red stone right next to it,
Paakkumpothu izhukkuthadiWhen I look at it, it pulls me in!
Female :Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuFemale: Oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!
Male :Yae….ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchuMale: Yeah... oh my, oh dear mother, something has happened within me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-infused romantic duet portrays playful banter and affection between two lovers. The lead metaphor revolves around the heroine's decorative nose pendant ('Mookkuththi thongal') set with vibrant green and red gemstones that irresistibly draw the lover's gaze, symbolizing the spark of sudden romantic awakening.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)

Mookkuththi thongalilae / Munnae oru pachcha kallu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across consecutive words to create rhythm.

Metaphor and Imagery

Kalloda kadalorasa kadalu thanniya meenurasa

Compares physical intimacy to natural elements like waves rubbing against coastal rocks and fish gliding through seawater.

Edupuch chol (Exclamatory Refrain)

Ammaadi aaththaadi yaedho onnu undaachchu

Use of emotional folk exclamations to accentuate heightened passion and excitement.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary music duo Shankar Ganesh, this song showcases the characteristic energetic folk-fusion style popular in 1980s Tamil cinema, elevated by the distinct vocal dynamics of Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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