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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Chippikkulle

From Kuzhanthai Ullam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
S. P. Kothandapani
Movie name
Kuzhanthai Ullam
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
18 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Mudhal naal mayakkam vara kandu
Monathil aazhndhadhu suvai kondu
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Aa… aa…aa…aa…aaa…
Thalai magan seidhadhu sodhanaiyo
Thalaivikku inbathin vaedhanaiyo
Thalai magan seidhadhu sodhanaiyo
Thalaivikku inbathin vaedhanaiyo
Kalaigalil oviyam rasikkindradho
Kalaigalil oviyam rasikkindradho
Kanavinilae kandu sirikkindradho
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Laalaallalaa… laalaallalaa…
Laalaallalaa… laallaa
Muthamitta idhazhae paalaaga
Munnidai melindhu noolaaga
Katti vaitha koondhal alaiyaaga
Katti vaitha koondhal alaiyaaga
Kannangal irandum vilaiyaaga
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Thaen tharum nilavae nee saatchi
Thendral kaatrae nee saatchi
Thaen tharum nilavae nee saatchi
Thendral kaatrae nee saatchi
Vaanum nilavum ulla varai
Vaanum nilavum ulla varai
Valarattum kaadhal arasaatchi
Valarattum kaadhal arasaatchi
Muthu chippikkullae
Oru poo vandu
Kudi kondadhae inba thaenundu
Mudhal naal mayakkam vara kandu
Monathil aazhndhadhu suvai kondu
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey
Feeling the sweet intoxication of the first night,
It sank into silence, savoring the delight.
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey.
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aaaa…
Is this a playful test by the lover,
Or a sweet ache of joy for his beloved?
Is this a playful test by the lover,
Or a sweet ache of joy for his beloved?
Is he admiring a painting among the fine arts,
Is he admiring a painting among the fine arts,
Or is she smiling at what she saw in a dream?
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey.
La laal la la… la laal la la…
La laal la la… laal la
The kissed lips are like sweet milk,
Her waist is slender like a thread,
Her tied hair flows like waves,
Her tied hair flows like waves,
And both her cheeks are full of playful charm.
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey.
O sweet moon, you are our witness,
O gentle breeze, you are our witness!
O sweet moon, you are our witness,
O gentle breeze, you are our witness!
As long as the sky and moon endure,
As long as the sky and moon endure,
May the reign of love flourish!
May the reign of love flourish!
Inside the pearl shell
A honeybee
Has settled in, drinking sweet honey
Feeling the sweet intoxication of the first night,
It sank into silence, savoring the delight.
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Muthu Chippikkullae' is a poetic romantic duet expressing the profound intimacy and romantic bliss between lovers. Through rich metaphors—such as a beetle residing inside a pearl oyster shell and drinking honey—Kannadasan captures the deep, mystical nature of love, passion, and union. The lyrics describe the beauty of the beloved, the intoxicating pain and pleasure of romance, and call upon natural elements like the moon and the gentle breeze to stand witness to a reign of love that should last as long as the skies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

“Muthu chippikkullae / Oru poo vandu”

Comparing the lovers and their intimate dwelling/union to a flower beetle sheltered inside a pearl oyster shell ('Muthu chippikkullae oru poo vandu').

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

“Thaen tharum nilavae nee saatchi / Thendral kaatrae nee saatchi”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Tha' in 'Thaen tharum' and 'Thendral kaatrae' or 'Va' in 'Vaanum' and 'Valarattum'.

Anaphora / Repetition (அடுக்குத் தொடர் / திரும்பவருதல்)

“Thaen tharum nilavae nee saatchi”

Repeated line endings invoking witnesses ('nee saatchi') to emphasize the eternal endurance of their affection.

Simile (உவமை)

“Munnidai melindhu noolaaga / Katti vaitha koondhal alaiyaaga”

Comparing waist to thread ('moolaga') and tied hair to ocean waves ('alaiyaaga').

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic song features in the 1969 film 'Kuzhanthai Ullam', composed by the legendary maestro M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song remains famous for its inventive poetic imagery blending oyster shells, honeybees, and classical Tamil poetic motifs.

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