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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Alantha

From Kalyana Kacheri · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kalyana Kacheri1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Gundu malliga poovu irukkuThere is round jasmine flower
Kova pada koodaadhu haeiYou shouldn't get angry, hey!
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaan…aanIt's just two cubits...
Male
Pasichaa elaiya podanumIf hungry, one must lay out the leaf for food
Edhukku veeraappuWhy this pride and resistance?
Manasula irukkum aasaikkuFor the desires residing in the heart
Yendi maaraappuWhy keep up the saree veil, girl?
Male
Raathiri neramaeAs it is nighttime
Aatthiram meerumaeUrge and passion overflow
Raatthiri neramaeAs it is nighttime
Aatthiram meerumaeUrge and passion overflow
Onna enni senja metha thaanIt is a bed prepared thinking of you
Padutthaa panju methaWhen lying down on this cotton bed
Pinja metha thaanIt feels like a tender soft bed
Nandhavanam poothirukkuThe flower garden has bloomed
Vandu vara kaathirukkuWaiting for the bee to arrive
Thaen edukka thaedhi edhukku ohohoiWhy look for a date or calendar to gather honey?
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Gundu malliga poovu irukkuThere is round jasmine flower
Kova pada koodaadhu haeiYou shouldn't get angry, hey!
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaan…aanIt's just two cubits...
Male
Hoi hoi hoi yiiiHoi hoi hoi yiii
Male
Kombula pazhutha maanganiA ripe mango hanging on the branch
Kuriyo maaraadhuThe aim will not miss
Yeri parikka aasa thaanThere is a desire to climb and pluck it
Maramo thaangaadhuBut the tree branch cannot bear the weight
Male
Bodhaiyo yerudhuIntoxication is rising
Paarvaiyo maarudhuThe look in the eyes is changing
Bodhaiyo yerudhuIntoxication is rising
Paarvaiyo maarudhuThe look in the eyes is changing
Vetti vecha thangam irukkuPure refined gold is available
Adhula en manasu thangi irukkuMy heart rests right there
Male
Palliyara methaiyilumIn the bed of the bridal chamber
Pathu viral vithaiyilumAnd in the artistry of ten fingers
Iruvarukkum pangu irukku aehaehoiBoth of us have an equal share
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Gundu malliga poovu irukkuThere is round jasmine flower
Kova pada koodaadhu haeiYou shouldn't get angry, hey!
Male
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaanIt's just two cubits
Adiyae nee alandhaaHey woman, if you measure it
Moonu mozham thaanIt's three cubits
Naan alandhaaIf I measure it
Rendu mozham thaan…aanIt's just two cubits...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Alandhaa from the movie Kalyana Kacheri (1987) is a playful folk-pop duet written by Gangai Amaran. The song features romantic banter between lovers, centered around playful measurements of jasmine garlands and expressions of intimate longing. Through vivid folk metaphors involving food, bloomed gardens, honeybees, and ripe fruits, the male protagonist coaxingly attempts to win over his beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nandhavanam poothirukku / Vandu vara kaathirukku

Compares the woman and her romantic readiness to a bloomed garden awaiting a bee to drink honey.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kombula pazhutha maangani

Compares tempting intimate desires to a ripe mango hanging high on a tree branch.

Rhyme / Monai

Raathiri neramae / Aatthiram meerumae

Uses matching initial sounds and rhythmic cadence across consecutive lines (Raathiri / Aatthiram).

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently incorporated colloquial rural measurements like 'mozham' (cubit) and local folk imagery to create catchy, relatable romantic duets during the 1980s.

Keep listening

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