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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mundhaanai Saelai

From Harichandra (1998 film) · 1998

Lyricist
Ravishankar
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music directors
Agosh (R. Anand, Gopal Rao, Shaleen
Details
Harichandra (1998 film)1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Munthaana saelaThe end-cloth of the saree,
Muttudhaa aalaIs it bumping into the man?
Maalaiyaa suthikka melaWrap yourself around me like a garland above.
Male
Hey kothaadha meenaeHey fish that doesn't bite,
Kokkuthaan naanaeI am the stork.
Vekkamum naanamum veenaeShyness and modesty are useless.
Female
Kokku indru kendai thaedumToday, the stork searches for the Kendai fish.
Chorus :Kendai thaedumChorus: Searches for the Kendai fish.
Male :Konji konji sandai podumMale: It playfully picks a fight while cajoling.
Female
Munthaana saelaThe end-cloth of the saree,
Muttudhaa aalaIs it bumping into the man?
Maalaiyaa suthikka melaWrap yourself around me like a garland above.
Female
Kokku indru kendai thaedumToday, the stork searches for the Kendai fish.
Chorus :Kendai thaedumChorus: Searches for the Kendai fish.
Male :Konji konji sandai podum haaMale: It playfully picks a fight while cajoling, haa!
Female
Munthaana saelaThe end-cloth of the saree.
Male
Heyy sekka sevantha meenakshiyaeHey bright red-complexioned Meenakshi!
Heyy sekka sevantha meenakshiyaeHey bright red-complexioned Meenakshi!
Seivom kaadhal aaraaichiyaeLet us conduct research on love.
Female :Eduthu piruchi padichikkoFemale: Take it, open it, and read it;
Ezhuthu kooti paarthukooSpell out the letters and understand.
Male :Vasantha kaalam thavuvuthaeMale: Springtime is pouncing upon us,
Poo poothukkoLet the flowers bloom!
Female
Naan thottaalae neeyaeWhen I touch you, you are
Pattayae theeyaeLike fire catching a spark!
Poovattum naanaeLet me bloom like a flower,
Kannalae killadhaeDo not pinch me with your eyes.
Male
Kothaadha meenaeOh fish that doesn't bite,
Hey kothaadha meenaeHey fish that doesn't bite!
Kokkuthaan naanaeI am the stork.
Vekkamum naanamum veenaeShyness and modesty are useless.
Female
Kokku indru kendai thaedumToday, the stork searches for the Kendai fish.
Chorus :Kendai thaedumChorus: Searches for the Kendai fish.
Male :Konji konji sandai podumMale: It playfully picks a fight while cajoling.
Chorus
………………………....
Male
Hey pambai iduppu pallaaku thaanHey, this slender waist is like a palanquin!
Pambai iduppu pallaaku thaanThis slender waist is like a palanquin!
Mela romba selvakku thaanIt has great influence up above.
Female
Nilavu thiranthu kedakuthaeThe moon lies open,
Kavidhai nuzhainthu vidaadhaaWon't poetry enter inside?
Male
Nagangal theendumIn every place touched by fingernails,
Idam ellam nandooruthaaDoes a crab seem to crawl?
Female
Haan thaenodai naanaeHaan, I am a stream of honey,
ThindaadurenaeI am struggling!
Nee neentha thaanaeOnly when you swim in it,
Aaraagi vanthenaeHave I flowered like a river!
Female
Munthaana saelaThe end-cloth of the saree,
HahaanHahaan!
Munthaana saelaThe end-cloth of the saree,
Muttudhaa aalaIs it bumping into the man?
Maalaiyaa suthikka melaWrap yourself around me like a garland above.
Female
Kokku indru kendai thaedumToday, the stork searches for the Kendai fish.
Chorus :Kendai thaedumChorus: Searches for the Kendai fish.
Male :Konji konji sandai podumMale: It playfully picks a fight while cajoling.
Female :Hoi hoi hoiFemale: Hoi hoi hoi!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet features a seductive interchange between two lovers. The male protagonist uses allegories of nature—comparing himself to a stork and his beloved to a 'Kendai' fish—symbolizing a predatory yet endearing pursuit of love. The female protagonist playfully resists, inviting him to read her emotions while teasingly comparing his physical touch to crawling crabs or sparking fire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

Kokku indru kendai thaedum

The male lead compares himself to a stork (Kokku) searching for a fish (Kendai), symbolizing his pursuit of his lover.

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

Pambai iduppu pallaaku thaan

Comparing the female lover's slender waist to a palanquin (pallaaku) to emphasize her graceful bodily beauty.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Vekkamum naanamum veenae

Rhyming line endings with similar sound patterns like 'meenae', 'naanae', 'veenae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by the trio Agosh (Anand, Gopal, and Shakeel). The film Harichandra stars Prabhu Deva and Sivaranjani in lead roles, showcasing energetic dance sequences typical of Prabhu Deva's late 90s releases.

Keep listening

More from Harichandra (1998 film)