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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mugathai Kaatti

From Mugarasi · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Mugarasi1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaIs it enough if you merely stand before me?
Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaWill my anger subside only if you grant me one kiss?
Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumAhaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum
Female
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaIs it enough if you merely stand before me?
Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaWill my anger subside only if you grant me one kiss?
Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumAhaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum
Female
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Male
Kannaara paathu paathuLooking deeply into your eyes,
Kavidhai ezhudhavaaShall I compose poetry?
Kaiyidu serthu serthuHolding hands together,
Kadhaigal pesavaaShall I tell you love stories?
Male
Kannaara paathu paathuLooking deeply into your eyes,
Kavidhai ezhudhavaaShall I compose poetry?
Kaiyidu serthu serthuHolding hands together,
Kadhaigal pesavaaShall I tell you love stories?
Female
Thullamal thulliBouncing gently in joy,
Naanum thaalam podavaaShall I set the rhythm?
Illadha vaarthai solliSpeaking words never spoken before,
Raagam paadavaaShall I sing a melody?
Male
MmmmMmmm
Female
Thullamal thulliBouncing gently in joy,
Naanum thaalam podavaaShall I set the rhythm?
Illadha vaarthai solliSpeaking words never spoken before,
Raagam paadavaaShall I sing a melody?
Male
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaIs it enough if you merely stand before me?
Female :Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaFemale: Will your anger subside only if I give you one?
Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumAhaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum
Female
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Male
Ilaiyillaadha kodiyil koodaEven on a vine without leaves,
Malargal thondrumaaWill beautiful flowers bloom?
Malargalodu potti podaTo compete with those flowers,
Kanigal thondrumaaWill sweet fruits appear?
Female
Pennai paarthaWhen looking at a maiden,
Kannukkenna solla vendumaaDoes one need to tell the eyes what to behold?
Pesa pesa aasaiyndriAs we keep talking,
Veru thondrumaaWill anything other than love arise?
Female
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaIs it enough if you merely stand before me?
Male :Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaMale: Will my anger subside only if you grant me one?
Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumAhaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum
Male
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Female :Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaFemale: Is it enough if I merely stand before you?
Male :Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaMale: Will my anger subside only if you grant me one?
Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumAhaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum
Male
Mugathai katti kattiIs it fair to cover your face,
Moodi kondathu nyaayamaAnd keep it hidden from me?
Female :Munnaalae vandhu nindraal podhumaaFemale: Is it enough if I merely stand before you?
Male :Ondru thandhaal thaan kobam theerumaaMale: Will my anger subside only if you grant me one?
Female :Ahaa …ohoo ..oohum ..oohumFemale: Ahaa... ohoo... oohum... oohum

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful duet captures a flirtatious exchange between two lovers. The male protagonist lovingly chides the heroine for being coy and covering her face, playfully demanding a kiss or token of affection to soothe his mock anger. The dialogue weaves between his romantic teasing and her graceful, coy responses. Using sweet nature metaphors like blooming flowers and fruit-bearing vines, lyricist Kannadasan illustrates the natural flowering of romance and unspoken desire. The song highlights the playful intimacy of early love through poetic imagery, lighthearted banter, and rhythmic melody.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Mugathai katti katti

Words like 'katti katti', 'paathu paathu', and 'serthu serthu' are repeated consecutively to enhance poetic rhythm and emphasize emotion.

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannaara paathu paathu / Kavidhai ezhudhavaa

Matching first letters/sounds in starting words, such as 'Kannara' and 'Kavidhai' or 'Kaiyidu' and 'Kadhaigal'.

Metaphor

Ilaiyillaadha kodiyil kooda / Malargal thondrumaa

Using natural imagery like 'ilaiyillaadha kodiyil' (leafless vine) and 'malargal' (flowers) to metaphorically describe beauty arising out of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Mugathai Katti Katti' features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa in the 1966 Tamil action-drama film 'Mugarasi'. Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, the track remains a classic example of playful 1960s Tamil cinema romantic duets.

Keep listening

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