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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthusami

From Yer Munai · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, Gangai Amaran
Music director
L. Vaithiya Nathan
Details
Yer Munai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thanthnaanae thaanae thanthanaanae thaanaeThanthnaanae thaanae thanthanaanae thaanae
Thanthaanaanae thaanae thanaenaaThanthaanaanae thaanae thanaenaa
Thandapaaniyaarai kondadaintha peraiThose who worship Lord Dandapani
Kumbidungal naalumaePray to Him every day
Vanthaadum thunbam yaavum theerumaeAll afflictions that torment you will disappear
Thanthnaanae thaanae thanthanaanae thaanaeThanthnaanae thaanae thanthanaanae thaanae
Thanthaanaanae thaanae thanaenaaThanthaanaanae thaanae thanaenaa
Female
Muthusaami……muthusaamiMuthusaami... Muthusaami...
Muthusaami pera satham pottu paadaTo call out Muthusaami's name out loud
Vekkamaaga irukkuthuI feel so shy
En manasu sorkkalogam parakkuthuMy heart soars to paradise
Female
En mama magan en purusanMy maternal uncle's son is my husband
En kannaalaeyae naan rasippaenI will admire him with my own eyes
Soodaaga virunthu vaippaenI will serve him a warm feast
Male
Chellaththaayi…..Chellaththaayi….Chellathayi... Chellathayi...
Chellaththaayi pera sellamaaga paadaTo fondly sing Chellathayi's name
Vellamaaga inikkuthuIt feels as sweet as jaggery syrup
En manasu vellam pola kuthikkuthuMy heart leaps like a surging flood
Male
En aththa maga muththaanavaMy paternal aunt's daughter is precious like a pearl
Intha machchaan kitta piththaanavaShe has gone crazy over this cousin
Ennoda soththaanavaShe has become my rightful wealth
Female
Paayilae paduththathum thookkamae pidikkalaAs soon as I lie down on the mat, sleep escapes me
Paal pazham edhuvumae rusikkala pasikkalaNeither milk nor fruit tastes good, nor do I feel hungry
Male :Enakkum yaedho un pola aachchuMale: Something similar has happened to me too like you
Iruntha manasum engaeyo pochchu edhuvumae puriyalaThe heart I had went missing somewhere, I do not understand anything
Female :Vaada kaaththula vaadura manasuFemale: The heart withers in the chilly northern breeze
Vaasam veesura valiba vayasu thaanaga theliyala….aa….aaYouthful age wafting fragrance doesn't settle easily... aa... aa...
Male
Sellaththaayi…..sellaththaayi….Chellathayi... Chellathayi...
Sellaththaayi pera sellamaaga paadaTo fondly sing Chellathayi's name
Vellamaaga inikkuthuIt feels as sweet as jaggery syrup
En manasu vellam pola kuthikkuthuMy heart leaps like a surging flood
Chorus
Aaa……aa…..aa….aaa….aa…aa….Aaa... aa... aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Aa…..aa…..aa…..aaa…..aa…….aa…..Aa... aa... aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Male
Thaamara poo mugam thaagaththai yaeththuthuThe lotus-like face awakens thirst and longing
Thanimaiya kedukkuthu manasula inikkuthuIt dispels solitude and feels sweet in the heart
Female :Nenjukkullae yaedho pol irukkuFemale: Something restless is happening inside my heart
Nelamaikkellaam needhaanae poruppuYou alone are responsible for this entire state
Nerungi vaa kuliruthuCome closer, it is chilly
Male
Paathth paththu yaenguthu nenappuLooking again and again, thoughts yearn in longing
Parisham pottu ketkuthu anaippuAsking for an embrace after promising the bridal pledge
Vaa pulla thavikkuthuCome dear, the heart is struggling in pain
Female
Muthusaami……muthusaamiMuthusaami... Muthusaami...
Muthusaami pera satham pottu paadaTo call out Muthusaami's name out loud
Vekkamaaga irukkuthuI feel so shy
En manasu sorkkalogam parakkuthuMy heart soars to paradise
Male
En aththa maga muththaanavaMy paternal aunt's daughter is precious like a pearl
Intha machchaankitta piththaanavaShe has gone crazy over this cousin
Ennoda soththaanavaShe has become my rightful wealth
Female
Muthusaami……Muthusaami...
Male :ChellaththaayiMale: Chellathayi
Female :Muthusaami……Female: Muthusaami...
Male :Yae chellaththaayi….Male: Hey Chellathayi...
Female :Muthusaami……hahaa…Female: Muthusaami... hahaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk duet depicts a romantic exchange between two cross-cousins, Muthusaami and Chellathayi. Starting with devotional refrains invoking Lord Murugan (Dandapani) for auspiciousness, the song transitions into joyful teasing and expression of mutual affection between the lovers. The bride expresses her bashfulness at shouting her husband's name aloud and describes how her heart soars to heaven at the thought of him. As the song progresses into the charanam, both partners express the classic symptoms of romantic longing—sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and restless thoughts caused by cold breezes and affectionate desire. Through rich rural imagery of feasts, floods of sweet jaggery, and lotus flowers, the song captures the playful banter, romantic warmth, and deep cultural ties of traditional village romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

En aththa maga muththaanava / Intha machchaan kitta piththaanava

The second consonant 'th' rhymes between 'Muthusaami' and 'Aththa' in adjacent lines, creating rhythmic flow.

Upamai (Simile)

Vellamaaga inikkuthu / En manasu vellam pola kuthikkuthu

Compares the joy of chanting the lover's name to sweet jaggery syrup (vellam) and the heart's excitement to a rushing flood (vellam pola kuthikkuthu).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thaamara poo mugam thaagaththai yaeththuthu

Compares the beloved's face to a blooming lotus flower (Thaamara poo mugam).

Monaikkappas (Initial letter alliteration)

Paayilae paduththathum thookkamae pidikkala / Paal pazham edhuvumae rusikkala pasikkala

Repeated initial 'Pa' / 'P' sound creates a pleasing sonic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Yer Munai' (1992) features rustic folk-style tracks set in a rural Tamil Nadu backdrop. The song employs traditional cross-cousin marriage motifs (Mama magan / Aththa maga) deeply rooted in Tamil cultural folklore.

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