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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Nagai Nagamma

From Paadhukaappu · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Paadhukaappu1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Muthu nagai nagammaOh girl with a pearl-like smile, smile away!
Mullai idhu theanammaLike a jasmine flower, this is sweet as honey, my dear.
Athai magal naanammaI am your cross-cousin, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Female
Muthu nagai nagammaOh girl with a pearl-like smile, smile away!
Mullai idhu theanammaLike a jasmine flower, this is sweet as honey, my dear.
Athai magal naanammaI am your cross-cousin, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Female
Unmai vayatho pathinaaruHer true age is sixteen,
Pennin manamo varalaruYet a woman's heart holds an entire history.
Suvaiyai innum ariyathuIt has not yet experienced the fullness of taste,
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Female
Muthu nagai nagammaOh girl with a pearl-like smile, smile away!
Mullai idhu theanammaLike a jasmine flower, this is sweet as honey, my dear.
Athai magal naanammaI am your cross-cousin, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Female
Kannpattu sivakum mugathil kaipattuOn a face that blushes at a glance, when touched by hand,
Jolikum vithathilIn a manner that shines radiantly,
Kannathil ennathai sollungalTell me what thoughts reside on these cheeks!
Kannpattu sivakum mugathil kaipattuOn a face that blushes at a glance, when touched by hand,
Jolikum vithathilIn a manner that shines radiantly,
Kannathil ennathai sollungalTell me what thoughts reside on these cheeks!
Ragangal paadalam thalangal podalamWe can sing melodies and mark the rhythm,
Nagathai polave nathathil adalamWe can sway to the music just like a cobra.
Aadu pambe vizhaiyadu pambeDance, oh snake! Play, oh snake!
Aadu pambe vizhaiyadu pambeDance, oh snake! Play, oh snake!
Female
Muthu nagai nagammaOh girl with a pearl-like smile, smile away!
Mullai idhu theanammaLike a jasmine flower, this is sweet as honey, my dear.
Athai magal naanammaI am your cross-cousin, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.
Female
Mun pakkam sirikum siripuA smile that blooms right in front,
Than pakkam azhaikum azhaipuA call that entices one closer,
Thangathai angathil kaanungal hoBehold the golden glow of her form, ho!
Mun pakkam sirikum siripuA smile that blooms right in front,
Than pakkam azhaikum azhaipuA call that entices one closer,
Thangathai angathil kaanungalBehold the golden glow of her form!
Ponn alli veesalam pin vanthu pesalamWe can shower gold and whisper sweet words from behind,
Entha endha neramum inbathil adalamAt any moment, we can sway in pure bliss.
Aadu pambe vizhaiyadu pambeDance, oh snake! Play, oh snake!
Female
Muthu nagai nagammaOh girl with a pearl-like smile, smile away!
Mullai idhu theanammaLike a jasmine flower, this is sweet as honey, my dear.
Athai magal naanammaI am your cross-cousin, my dear.
Alli vizhaiyadammaEmbrace me and play, my dear.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Muthu Nagai Nagamma' from the 1970 film Paadhukaappu is a vibrant, seductive dance number rendered by L. R. Eswari under the musical direction of M. S. Vishwanathan, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan. The track employs poetic metaphors of pearls, jasmine, honey, and snake-charming imagery to convey romance, youthful innocence, and playful sensuality. Through rhythm and playful wordplay, the speaker invites her lover into a world of carefree bliss and musical celebration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Muthu nagai nagamma

'Muthu nagai' compares a radiant, gleaming smile directly to pearls.

Edhugai / Second-letter Rhyme

Mun pakkam sirikum siripu / Than pakkam azhaikum azhaipu

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('Mun' and 'Than', 'siripu' and 'azhaipu').

Anaphora / Refrain

Aadu pambe vizhaiyadu pambe

Repetition of 'Aadu pambe vizhaiyadu pambe' creates rhythm and reinforces snake-dance imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

L. R. Eswari was celebrated as the undisputed queen of Tamil film dance and cabaret tracks during the 1960s and 1970s. Her signature high-energy vocals, combined with M. S. Vishwanathan's inventive brass and percussion arrangements, created iconic dance hits of that era.

Keep listening

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