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Lyrics & meaning

Mottu Vitta Mulla Kodi

From Indru Nee Nalai Naan · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Shailaja, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Indru Nee Nalai Naan1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!
Female
Valli ponnae naanirukka acham enna unakkuOh girl Valli, when I am here, why are you afraid?
Andha naalai nenjil vachu enni sollu kanakkuKeep that day in your heart and count the days!
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!
Female
Unn keli podhumadiEnough of your teasing, man!
Female :Maanga thingum maadhamadiFemale: It is the month of craving raw mangoes!
Female
Unn keli podhumadiEnough of your teasing, man!
Female :Olinchirrunthu maanga thingum maadhamadiFemale: It is the month of hiding and eating raw mangoes!
Female
Adi pennae vayiru varum munnaeHey girl, before the baby bump shows,
Neeyum sumandhu thallada vennumadiYou too must carry and wobble around!
Female
Nenjukullae yedho aasaiInside the heart, there is some desire,
Yaara paathu naanum pesaLooking at whom should I speak?
Alai paayudhu vaaliba manasuThe youthful mind sways like waves,
Aasai vayasuIt is the age of desires!
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!
Female
Valli ponnae naanirukka acham enna unakkuOh girl Valli, when I am here, why are you afraid?
Andha naalai nenjil vachu enni sollu kanakkuKeep that day in your heart and count the days!
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!
Female
Unn veetu thooliyadiThe cradle from your house, girl,
Enn veetil aadumadiWill swing in my house!
Female
Enn veetu thooliyadiThe cradle from my house, girl,
Porandhu vandhuBeing born and coming,
Unn veetil aadumadiWill swing in your house!
Female
Andha chutti valarum thanga kattiThat playful golden bar that grows up,
Ival madiyil sangeedham paadumadiWill sing music in her lap!
Female
Rosa poovum manja poosumEven the rose flower will apply turmeric,
Paathuputta kannum koosumLooking at it, eyes will dazzle!
Unakum oru kili vandhu porakkumA parrot will be born for you too,
Poova chirikumIt will smile like a flower!
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!
Female
Valli ponnae naanirukka acham enna unakkuOh girl Valli, when I am here, why are you afraid?
Andha naalai nenjil vachu enni sollu kanakkuKeep that day in your heart and count the days!
Female
Mottu vitta mulla kodiThe jasmine creeper that has sprouted buds,
Machan thotta manja kiliThe yellow parrot touched by her sweetheart,
Vetkka pattu sokki nikudhuu…Stands entranced with shyness...
Indha alli thandu enna kanduSeeing me, this lily stem
Thannikulla vikki nikkudhuStands hiccuping inside the water!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mottu Vitta Mulla Kodi is a joyous, folk-flavored Tamil duet from the 1983 film Indru Nee Nalai Naan. The lyrics depict a playful and romantic exchange between lovers in a rural setting, combining lighthearted banter with deep affection. Through vibrant natural imagery like blooming jasmine vines, shy lily stems, and yellow parrots, the song captures the essence of youthful romance and bashful affection. As the song progresses, the dialogue gently turns toward marriage, motherhood, and family life. References to raw mango cravings and cradles swinging across households playfully tease the upcoming joys of parenthood. Vairamuthu's evocative poetry blends cultural nuances of village romance with universal emotions of love and domestic bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Mottu vitta mulla kodi / Machan thotta manja kili

Compares the shy young woman to a blossoming jasmine vine ('mulla kodi') and a cherished yellow parrot ('manja kili').

Personification

Indha alli thandu enna kandu / Thannikulla vikki nikkudhu

Attributes human shyness and hiccuping emotions to a lily stem submerged in water.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mottu vitta mulla kodi / Machan thotta manja kili

Rhyming of the second letter 'tt' in consecutive lines (Mottu / Machan).

Cultural Symbolism

Olinchirrunthu maanga thingum maadhamadi

Eating raw mangoes ('Maanga thingum maadham') serves as a classic cultural metaphor for early pregnancy cravings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Indru Nee Nalai Naan (1983) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals by S. Janaki and Malaysia Vasudevan. Starring Sivakumar, Lakshmi, and Jaishankar, the film is known for its strong emotional drama, and this particular song remains a popular folk duet highlighting rural romantic intimacy and family traditions.

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