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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mottu Mottu Malliga Mottu

From Oru Marathu Paravaigal · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Manorama, T. K. Kala
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Oru Marathu Paravaigal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mottu mottu malliga motttuJasmine bud, bud, jasmine bud
Minuminukkum kaanjipattuShimmering Kanchipuram silk saree
Mottu mottu malliga motttuJasmine bud, bud, jasmine bud
Minuminukkum kaanjipattuShimmering Kanchipuram silk saree
Female
Vachchaalae vatta pottuShe wore a round bindi on her forehead
vanthirukkaan aasapattuHe has arrived filled with longing desire
Kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuA flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuA flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Female
Kumthalakkaa palapalaaKumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanDandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you
Female
Kumthalakkaa palapalaaKumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanDandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you
Female
Pallavanin kovililaeIn the ancient temple of the Pallava king
Kallu ratham paaththathundaaHave you ever witnessed the grand stone chariot?
Female :Antha radham aadaikattiFemale: That very chariot draped in fine clothes
Vantha vidham paarungaiyyaaLook at the graceful manner in which it has arrived, sir
Female :Rambai enna oorvasiyum thangai enakkuFemale: Heavenly nymphs Rambha and Urvashi are like younger sisters to me
Female :Raja enna manthiri koojaa enakkuFemale: What of the king? The minister is merely my water-bearer
Female
Thottaa manakkuravaShe smells fragrant at the slightest touch
Javvaathu pol joraa irukkuravaShe who is vibrant and exquisite like javvathu perfume
Ada Thottaa manakkuravaHey, she smells fragrant at the slightest touch
Javvaathu pol joraa irukkuravaShe who is vibrant and exquisite like javvathu perfume
Female
Mottu mottu malliga motttuJasmine bud, bud, jasmine bud
Minuminukkum kaanjipattuShimmering Kanchipuram silk saree
Female
Vachchaalae vatta pottuShe wore a round bindi on her forehead
vanthirukkaan aasapattuHe has arrived filled with longing desire
Kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuA flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Female :Aah…..kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuFemale: Aah... a flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Female
Kumthalakkaa palapalaaKumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanDandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you
Female
Aah kumthalakkaa palapalaaAah, Kumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanDandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you
Female
Alli tharum punniyavaanThe generous soul who bestows gifts freely
Vallalena pereduppaanWill earn the grand reputation of a noble patron
Female :Sillaraiya poduravanFemale: The one who tosses mere small coins
Sikkanaththa kaatturavanThe one who displays stingy behavior
Female
Chummaa ninnu paakkuravan Ingae varaathaeDon't come near if you are just going to stand and watch for free
Veththuvettaa neeyirunthaa aasapadaathaeIf you are a penniless person, don't foster desires
Female
Thutta kodukkanunga kondu vanthaYou must hand over money if you brought it
Thatta nerappanunga…aamaa raja…Fill up the collection plate... yes, my king!
Female
Mottu mottu malliga motttuJasmine bud, bud, jasmine bud
Minuminukkum kaanjipattuShimmering Kanchipuram silk saree
Female
Vachchaalae vatta pottuShe wore a round bindi on her forehead
vanthirukkaan aasapattuHe has arrived filled with longing desire
Kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuA flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Female :Aah…..kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambuFemale: Aah... a flower-like body whose pristine form remains untouched
Thottu thazhuvaathathuOne that hasn't been held or embraced
Female
Kumthalakkaa palapalaaKumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanDandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you
Female
Aah kumthalakkaa palapalaaAah, Kumthalakkaa beat, shining brightly
Kumari ponnu thalathalaaA young maiden glowing radiantly
Both :Dandanakkaa thalukkuthaanBoth: Dandanakkaa beat, overflowing with grace
Damukku dappaan unakkuththaanThis rhythmic beat is meant just for you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mottu Mottu Malliga Mottu is a high-energy folk-infused item dance track from the 1980 Tamil film Oru Marathu Paravaigal, composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Vaali. Sung with distinctive theatrical vigor by legendary actress-singer Manorama along with T. K. Kala, the song presents street performers enticing their audience with seductive dance moves while extolling their own flawless beauty. They playfully boast that legendary celestial nymphs like Rambha and Urvashi are mere younger sisters compared to them, comparing their sculpted elegance to a living temple chariot of the Pallava dynasty. Underneath the celebratory beats and folk rhythm words like Kumthalakkaa and Dandanakkaa, the lyricist weaves a humorous yet sharp demand for patronage. The dancers praise patrons who shower money generously while warning penniless onlookers and misers not to expect entertainment without filling the collection plate. Through playful swagger, local metaphors, and rhythmic sound play, the song vividly showcases Tamil theatrical folk tradition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mottu mottu malliga motttu

Repetition of the 'M' sound at the start of adjacent words, creating a smooth rhythmic opening.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kumthalakkaa palapalaa / Kumari ponnu thalathalaa

Rhyming endings using rhythmic onomatopoeic words 'palapalaa' and 'thalathalaa'.

Uvamaani (Simile)

Javvaathu pol joraa irukkurava

Direct comparison of the maiden's vibrant fragrance to 'javvathu' (a traditional aromatic perfume paste) using the comparative suffix 'pol'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kattu kulaiyaathathu poovudambu

Describing the youthful maiden's untouched physique directly as a delicate flower ('poovudambu').

Edukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Alli tharum punniyavaan / Vallalena pereduppaan

Rhyming of the second letter 'll' across lines ('Alli' and 'Vallalena').

Did you know?

Trivia

This lively folk song features iconic legendary actress Manorama contributing lead vocals alongside T. K. Kala. Known for her flawless vocal range in folk and gaana tracks, Manorama brought authentic theatrical flair to Shankar-Ganesh's catchy rhythm compositions during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Keep listening

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