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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Moonam Piraiyai Pola

From Sugamana Raagangal · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sugamana Raagangal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Moonaam piraiyai pola neththiyilathaanOn the forehead shaped like a third-day crescent moon,
Intha machchaanum vachcha pottu maththiyilathaanRight in the middle of the bindi placed by my beloved lover,
Moonaam piraiyai pola neththiyilathaanOn the forehead shaped like a third-day crescent moon,
Intha machchaanum vachcha pottu maththiyilathaanRight in the middle of the bindi placed by my beloved lover,
Female
Thaenaa Inikkuthaiyyaa thottu vidaththaanIt tastes sweet like honey just to touch it, sir,
Oru thaabam manasukkulla mottuvidaththaanA yearning blossoms like a bud inside my heart,
Thaenaa Inikkuthaiyyaa thottu vidaththaanIt tastes sweet like honey just to touch it, sir,
Oru thaabam manasukkulla mottuvidaththaanA yearning blossoms like a bud inside my heart,
Female
Thooral mazhaiyadichchu mannu manakkaAs a light drizzle falls and makes the earth fragrant,
Antha thenkaasi saaral pola thanni thelikkaSprinkling water like the gentle mist of Tenkasi,
Thooral mazhaiyadichchu mannu manakkaAs a light drizzle falls and makes the earth fragrant,
Antha thenkaasi saaral pola thanni thelikkaSprinkling water like the gentle mist of Tenkasi,
Female
Aadai nanainchirunthum angam kothikkaThough clothes are soaked, my body seethes with passion,
Uyir naadi narambilaethaan minnaladikkaLightning strikes right through the nerves of my life force,
Female
Malligai ambugal mellena poduraShooting jasmine arrows softly,
Manmathan vanthaanaamThe god of love, Manmatha, has arrived, they say,
Mangala mangaiyin sangamam kandidaTo witness the union of the auspicious woman,
Kungumam thanthaanaamHe gave the auspicious vermilion, they say.
Chorus
……………….....
Female
Moonaam piraiyai pola neththiyilathaanOn the forehead shaped like a third-day crescent moon,
Intha machchaanum vachcha pottu maththiyilathaanRight in the middle of the bindi placed by my beloved lover,
Chorus
………………....
Female
Vaaiyyaa valaiyal poda kaiyai koduppaenCome, I shall offer my hands for you to put bangles on,
Neeyum velliyilae metti poda kaalai koduppaenI shall offer my feet for you to put silver toe-rings on,
Vaaiyyaa valaiyal poda kaiyai koduppaenCome, I shall offer my hands for you to put bangles on,
Neeyum velliyilae metti poda kaalai koduppaenI shall offer my feet for you to put silver toe-rings on,
Female
Maalai aniyura tholai koduppaenI shall offer my shoulders to wear the garland,
Pattu meththai virikkirappo ennai koduppaenAnd when the silk bed is spread, I shall surrender myself,
Female
Sooriyan ponathu chandhiran vanthathuThe sun has set and the moon has arrived,
Pattathu pothaathaaIs what was experienced not enough?
Maththalam kottavum thaaliyai kattavumTo beat the drums and tie the sacred knot,
Velaiyum vaaraathaaWill that auspicious moment not arrive?
Chorus
………………....
Female
Moonaam piraiyai pola neththiyilathaanOn the forehead shaped like a third-day crescent moon,
Intha machchaanum vachcha pottu maththiyilathaanRight in the middle of the bindi placed by my beloved lover,
Female
Thaenaa Inikkuthaiyyaa thottu vidaththaanIt tastes sweet like honey just to touch it, sir,
Oru thaabam manasukkulla mottuvidaththaanA yearning blossoms like a bud inside my heart.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil melody expresses the passionate yearning and devotion of a woman awaiting marriage with her beloved. She describes the sweet sensation of his touch, comparing her forehead to the delicate crescent moon decorated with the bindi he applied. Through sensory imagery of light rain, the cool mist of Tenkasi, and Cupid firing floral arrows, she conveys her deep physical and romantic longing. In the second movement, she eagerly invites her partner to adorn her with traditional symbols of marriage—bangles on her wrists, silver toe-rings on her feet, and garlands around her neck—as she eagerly anticipates the beating of drums and the tying of the sacred thread (thaali) that will unite them forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Moonaam piraiyai pola neththiyilathaan

Compares the curve of the forehead to the third-day crescent moon using the word 'pola'.

Simile (Upamai)

Thaenaa Inikkuthaiyyaa thottu vidaththaan

Compares the sweet feeling of touch directly to honey ('Thaenaa').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Malligai ambugal mellena podura

Describing jasmine blossoms as romantic arrows ('Malligai ambugal') wielded by Manmatha (Cupid).

Rhyme / Assonance (Emoni & Ethukai)

Maththalam kottavum thaaliyai kattavum

Rhythmic rhyming of verbs like 'kottavum' and 'kattavum' creating musical flow.

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Trivia

Sugamana Raagangal (1985) features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with evocative lyrics penned by Vaali. Sung soulfully by P. Susheela, the song effectively blends rural folk romantic motifs with classical melody structures, particularly capturing regional imagery like the famous cool mist ('saaral') of Tenkasi.

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