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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muhurtha Naalum

From Pennin Perumai · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Jikki, Chorus
Music directors
B. N. Rao, A. Rama Rao, Master Venu
Details
Pennin Perumai1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Muhurtha naalum mudivaachaHas the auspicious wedding date been set?
Mookanaangayirum pottaachaHas the tethering nose-rope been tied as well?
Muhurtha naalum mudivaachaHas the auspicious wedding date been set?
Mookanaangayirum pottaachaHas the tethering nose-rope been tied as well?
Female
Murattukaalai maappilaiyaamThe groom is said to be a wild bull,
Uruttu bommai manamagalaamThe bride is like a chubby round doll.
Murattukaalai maappilaiyaamThe groom is said to be a wild bull,
Uruttu bommai manamagalaamThe bride is like a chubby round doll.
Aratti meratti unnidamaeBy shouting at you and threatening you,
Aratti meratti unnidamaeBy shouting at you and threatening you,
Asalum vattiyum vaangidavaeTo collect back both the principal and interest,
Female
Maharajan veettu thirumanamaeIt is a grand wedding in a wealthy family's home,
Majannu nenaikkudhu un manameYour mind imagines it is pure fun and joy.
Maharajan veettu thirumanamaeIt is a grand wedding in a wealthy family's home,
Majannu nenaikkudhu un manameYour mind imagines it is pure fun and joy.
Jigujigu valaiyal thaga thaga kanganamGlittering bangles and shining sacred wristbands,
Jigujigu valaiyal thaga thaga kanganamGlittering bangles and shining sacred wristbands,
Pala pala saelaiyum pattu ravikaiyumShimmering sarees and fine silk blouses,
Female
Boomboom maadu pol singaarichuDressing you up grandly like a decorated fortune ox,
Podhi kazhudhai pola sumandhidavaeOnly to make you carry burdens like a pack donkey!
Female
Boomboom maadu pol singaarichuDressing you up grandly like a decorated fortune ox,
Podhi kazhudhai pola sumandhidavaeOnly to make you carry burdens like a pack donkey!
Female
Methai veedendru thulladhaeDo not leap with joy thinking it is a multi-story mansion,
Methai veedendru thulladhaeDo not leap with joy thinking it is a multi-story mansion,
Kannai nettriyil veithu kolladhaeDo not carry eyes on your forehead out of pride!
Methai veedendru thulladhaeDo not leap with joy thinking it is a multi-story mansion,
Kannai nettriyil veithu kolladhaeDo not carry eyes on your forehead out of pride!
Female
Athai maamanum irukaangaThe mother-in-law and father-in-law are waiting right there,
Athai maamanum irukaangaThe mother-in-law and father-in-law are waiting right there,
Un sathai suzhatriyae viduvangaThey will skin you alive and spin you around!
Female and Chorus :Un sathai suzhatriyae viduvangaThey will skin you alive and spin you around!
Female
Araikkullae thaan adangidanumYou must learn to stay restrained inside the room,
Aadura kaalum odingidanumThe restless feet that wander must settle down.
Araikkullae thaan adangidanumYou must learn to stay restrained inside the room,
Aadura kaalum odingidanumThe restless feet that wander must settle down.
Female and Chorus :Sariyaaga pesa therinjikkanumYou must learn to speak respectfully and properly,
Sariyaaga pesa therinjikkanumYou must learn to speak respectfully and properly,
Un thalai kanam ellaam erangidanumAll your arrogance and headweight must come down!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted, satirical song from the 1956 film 'Pennin Perumai' offers teasing advice to a prospective bride. Through playful folk metaphors, the singer warns her about the realities of marriage beneath the initial glitz and glamor. While the wedding may seem grand and the gifts lavish, married life will demand discipline, hard work, and humility once the strict in-laws take charge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Boomboom maadu pol singaarichu Podhi kazhudhai pola sumandhidavae

Compares the bride's ornate dressing to a decorated fortune ox ('Boomboom maadu') and her upcoming household chores to a pack donkey ('Podhi kazhudhai').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Murattukaalai maappilaiyaam Uruttu bommai manamagalaam

Refers to the groom as a wild bull ('Murattukaalai') and the bride as a round doll ('Uruttu bommai').

Idiom / Metaphorical Imagery

Kannai nettriyil veithu kolladhae

'Kannai nettriyil veithu kolladhae' (placing eyes on forehead) is a classic Tamil idiom representing arrogance or pride.

Onomatopoeia (Etai Sol / Vannam)

Jigujigu valaiyal thaga thaga kanganam

Uses rhythmic sensory words like 'Jigujigu' (glittering) and 'Thaga thaga' (shining) to describe wedding jewelry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pennin Perumai' (1956) was a popular drama film starring Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and Padmini. The song features the characteristic witty lyric style of Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, renowned for incorporating rural proverbs and humorous folk idioms into Tamil film music during the 1950s.

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