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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthal Muthalaga

From Niram Maaratha Pookkal · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Niram Maaratha Pookkal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a romantic duet
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a romantic duet
En kaadal paingiliyaeOh my love, my green parrot
Nee parandhu pogaadhaePlease do not fly away
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a romantic duet
Male
Seethaa en kaadhal kodiyaeSeetha, my beloved creeper of love
Kann paarammaaLook at me, my dear
Aadharam neeyillaamal ver yedhammaaWithout you, what other support do I have?
Female
Hoo ooohoo hooo ooohoooHoo ooohoo hooo ooohooo
Male
Seethaa en kaadhal kodiyaeSeetha, my beloved creeper of love
Kann paarammaaLook at me, my dear
Aadharam neeyillaamal ver yedhammaaWithout you, what other support do I have?
Female
Hoo ooohoo hooo ooohoooHoo ooohoo hooo ooohooo
Female
Aasaiyudan nambi vandhaTo the woman who came trusting with desire
Pennai indru mosam seidha dhrogiyaeOh traitor who deceived her today!
Male
Oh oh oh un kobam thaevai dhaanaaOh oh oh, is your anger really necessary?
Anbae aaruyiraeMy love, my precious life
Female
Adhu yaar andha pennWho is that woman?
Male :Oru nadigaiyammaaMale: She is an actress, my lady
Female
Andha kazhudhayai nee konjiCaressing that donkey
Anaippadhu thavaruAnd embracing her is wrong!
Female
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhaayooDid you come to sing a romantic duet?
Nee kaadhal manmadhanoAre you the Cupid of love?
Naan parandhu povenoWill I fly away?
Male
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a romantic duet
Chorus
Khajurao sirppam aagaLike a Khajuraho sculpture
En edhiril naani marainthiduvaalShe blushes and hides before me
Hooo ooo yeh aaaa…ehhhhHooo ooo yeh aaaa...ehhhh
Male
Zeenath en kanavil vandhaalZeenat came into my dream
Un polavaeJust looking like you
Singaara paavai undhan vadivaagavaeAs a beautiful doll taking your exact form
Female
Hoo ooohoo hooo ooohoooHoo ooohoo hooo ooohooo
Male
Zeenath en kanavil vandhaalZeenat came into my dream
Un polavaeJust looking like you
Singaara paavai undhan vadivaagavaeAs a beautiful doll taking your exact form
Female
Hoo ooohoo hooo ooohoooHoo ooohoo hooo ooohooo
Female
Jeenaththaman pola ennaiThinking of me like Zeenat Aman
Enni vandhuComing here to
Paattu paadum dhrogiyaeSing a song, you traitor!
Male
AiyaiyoOh no!
Summaa naan jaadai sonnenI was just playfully teasing
Kannae kanmaniyaeMy darling, my precious eye
Female
Ennai pol oru pennA woman like me
Male :Indha ulagil illaiMale: Does not exist in this world
Female
Oru nadigaiyai pol ennaiLooking at me like an actress
Paarppadhu thavaruIs wrong!
Male
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhenaeI have come to sing a romantic duet
En kaadhal paingiliyaeOh my love, my green parrot
Nee parandhu pogaadhaePlease do not fly away
Female
Mudhan mudhalaagaFor the very first time
Kaadhal duet paada vandhaayo….Did you come to sing a romantic duet?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic conversational duet between two lovers. The male lover serenades his partner with sweet endearments, comparing her to classical figures like Seetha and sculptures of Khajuraho, as well as modern icons like Bollywood actress Zeenat Aman. The female partner playfully feigns jealousy and anger, reprimanding him for comparing her to cinema actresses while enjoying the teasing banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

En kaadal paingiliyae

The male protagonist addresses his lover as 'paingiliye' (green parrot) and 'kaadhal kodiye' (creeper of love), metaphorically ascribing innocence, beauty, and tender attachment to her.

Simile (Uvamai)

Khajurao sirppam aaga

The lyricist uses 'Khajurao sirppam aaga' to compare the female partner's beauty and bashful posture to a fine sculpture from Khajuraho.

Alliteration (Monai)

Mudhan mudhalaaga

Repetition of the 'Mu' sound at the beginning of words in the line creates a rhythmic musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the 1979 film 'Niram Maaratha Pookkal' directed by Bharathiraja features music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Kavinar Kannadasan. It is sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The lyrics humorously reference contemporary pop-culture icon Zeenat Aman, which was a unique stylistic touch by Kannadasan.

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