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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mullai Pooppole

From Nalla Mudivu · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nalla Mudivu
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
12 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mullai pooppolae
Rendu mookuthi minnuthadi
Mullai pooppolae
Rendu mookuthi minnuthadi
Un munthaanai melae
Koondhal naattiyam aaduthadi
Mullai pooppolae
Rendu mookuthi minnuthadi
Sithanna vaasalilae
Azhagu chithiram kaanuthaiyyaa
Sithanna vaasalilae
Azhagu chithiram kaanuthaiyyaa
Antha chithira maeniyilae
Unthan muthirai kaanuthaiyyaa
Velavan vel polae
Rendu vizhigal minnuthaiyyaa
Pudhu velli radham polae
Unthan vadivam ponguthaiyyaa
Velavan vel polae
Rendu vizhigal minnuthaiyyaa
Illai illai engira idaiyil
Ethanai malaradiyo
Illai illai engira idaiyil
Ethanai malaradiyo
Adhil yaedho ondru ennidam solvathu
Ethanai kadhaiyadiyo
Nillaa iravil pollaa nilavil
Nerukku ner varuvaen
Nillaa iravil pollaa nilavil
Nerukku ner varuvaen
Andru ellaaa kalaiyum villaal eduthu
Velaalae tharuvaen
Mullai pooppolae
Rendu mookuthi minnuthadi
Un munthaanai melae
Koondhal naattiyam aaduthadi
Velavan vel polae
Rendu vizhigal minnuthaiyyaa
Pattu kaalgal pattathanaalae
Panju vilanthathadi
Un chittu kaigal thottathunaalae
Nenju malarnthathadi
Kottu mazhaiyum paniyum thendralum
Kanalaai kaayuthaiyyaa
Unkooda irunthaal paadi magizhnthaal
Kuliraai kuliruthaiyyaa
Panjanai meedhu malargalai thoovi
Pazhaguvathu ennaalo
Female :Paalum pazhamum kaiyil yaenthi
Varuvathum ennaalo
Panjanai meedhu malargalai thoovi
Pazhaguvathu ennaalo….
Like jasmine blossoms,
your two nose studs sparkle, my girl.
Like jasmine blossoms,
your two nose studs sparkle, my girl.
Over the drape of your saree,
your hair dances, my girl.
Like jasmine blossoms,
your two nose studs sparkle, my girl.
In Sittannavasal (ancient rock-cut art),
a lovely painting comes alive, my love.
In Sittannavasal,
a lovely painting comes alive, my love.
And on that picture-like body,
your own imprint can be seen, my love.
Like the sharp spear of Lord Murugan,
your two eyes sparkle, my love.
Like a brand-new silver chariot,
your radiant form glows, my love.
Like the sharp spear of Lord Murugan,
your two eyes sparkle, my love.
On your waist, so slim it almost vanishes,
how many flowers are resting, my girl?
On your waist, so slim it almost vanishes,
how many flowers are resting, my girl?
One among them whispers to me,
telling so many sweet stories, my girl!
On a moonlit night, under the teasing moon,
I will meet you face to face.
On a moonlit night, under the teasing moon,
I will meet you face to face.
Then, aiming all the arts of love like a bow,
I will strike like a spear.
Like jasmine blossoms,
your two nose studs sparkle, my girl.
Over the drape of your saree,
your hair dances, my girl.
Like the sharp spear of Lord Murugan,
your two eyes sparkle, my love.
Because your silky feet stepped on the earth,
the softest cotton blossomed, my girl.
Because your gentle hands touched me,
my heart bloomed with joy, my girl.
The pouring rain, the chilly dew, and the breeze
burn like hot embers without you, my love.
Yet when I am beside you, singing in delight,
they feel soothing and cool, my love.
Scattering fresh flowers across a soft bed,
when will that day come for us to be together?
Carrying milk and fruits in hand,
when will that day come for me to walk to you?
Scattering fresh flowers across a soft bed,
when will that day come for us to be together?
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic duet sung by T.M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela depicts a romantic dialogue between lovers expressing deep admiration, desire, and anticipation of togetherness. The hero praises the heroine's delicate beauty—her nose studs sparkling like jasmine, her flowing hair, her slender waist, and her grace. In return, the heroine praises his majestic presence, comparing his sharp eyes to Lord Murugan's spear and his physique to a silver chariot, while expressing her eager longing for their wedding night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

“Mullai pooppolae Rendu mookuthi minnuthadi”

Compares the brilliance of the heroine's nose studs to delicate jasmine flowers using the explicit comparison word 'poolae'.

Cultural Allusion & Imagery

“Sithanna vaasalilae Azhagu chithiram kaanuthaiyyaa”

References the famous 7th-century rock-cut cave paintings at Sittanavasal to describe the heroine's classic, timeless artistic beauty.

Upamai (Simile)

“Velavan vel polae Rendu vizhigal minnuthaiyyaa”

Compares the sharpness and brightness of the lover's eyes to the sacred 'Vel' (spear) of Lord Murugan.

Mona (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Nillaa iravil pollaa nilavil Nerukku ner varuvaen”

Use of matching initial consonants 'Ni' in 'Nillaa' and 'Nerukku' creates a melodic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sittanavasal (Sithannavasal), mentioned by Kannadasan in the song, is a prominent 2nd-century Jain complex in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, renowned for its ancient fresco-secco paintings that are often compared to Ajanta cave paintings in artistic heritage.

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