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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Paavadai Thavani

From Kaalam Bathil Sollum · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kaalam Bathil Sollum
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
25 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu
Varusham naalaachchu
Oru poomaalai soodi kollaama
Udambe noolaachchu
Aahaan aahaan oho oho
Heehi heehi mmmmm
Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu
Varusham naalaachchu
Oru poomaalai soodi kollaama
Udambe noolaachchu
Panguni pochchu chiththiraiyaachchu
Panguni pochchu chiththiraiyaachchu
Kalyaana aasai vanthu naalaachchu
Kalyaana aasai vanthu naalaachchu
Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu
Varusham naalaachchu
Oru poomaalai soodi kollaama
Udambe noolaachchu
Paadattumaa oru themmaang
Aadattumaa oru thillaanaa
Haa paadattumaa oru themmaang
Aadattumaa oru thillaanaa
Viththai irukku ennodu
Vendiyathenna nee kelu
Viththai irukku ennodu
Vendiyathenna nee kelu
Therkkaththi seemaiyilellaam
Pereduththa aattakkaari
Yaaraaro vanthu konja paarththaanga
Yaedhetho solli kenji kettaanga
Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu
Varusham naalaachchu
Oru poomaalai soodi kollaama
Udambe noolaachchu
Aththai magal ena ennaathae
Aasaiyil jaadai pannaathae
Haan ththai magal ena ennaathae
Aasaiyil jaadai pannaathae
Ennidam vaalai aattaathae
Pallai ilichchi kaattaathae
Kasthooro maaai polae
Maanamulla chinna ponnu
Koodaathu antha kalla sirippu
Aagaathu yaarum thottaal neruppu
Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu
Varusham naalaachchu
Oru poomaalai soodi kollaama
Udambe noolaachchu
I started wearing a half-saree,
Four years have passed since then.
Without wearing a wedding garland,
My body has grown thin as a thread.
Aahaan aahaan oho oho
Hee-hee hee-hee mmmm
I started wearing a half-saree,
Four years have passed since then.
Without wearing a wedding garland,
My body has grown thin as a thread.
The month of Panguni passed and Chithirai arrived,
The month of Panguni passed and Chithirai arrived,
It has been so long since my wish to marry began...
It has been so long since my wish to marry began...
I started wearing a half-saree,
Four years have passed since then.
Without wearing a wedding garland,
My body has grown thin as a thread.
Shall I sing a rustic folk song?
Shall I dance a Thillana (lively classical dance)?
Ha, shall I sing a rustic folk song?
Shall I dance a Thillana?
I have all the skill and talent in me,
Just ask for whatever you want.
I have all the skill and talent in me,
Just ask for whatever you want.
Across the entire southern land,
I am a renowned dancer.
All sorts of men came and tried to woo me,
Pleading and begging with all kinds of words...
I started wearing a half-saree,
Four years have passed since then.
Without wearing a wedding garland,
My body has grown thin as a thread.
Don't just think of me as your cousin,
Don't make longing gestures at me.
Haan, don't just think of me as your cousin,
Don't make longing gestures at me.
Don't try your playful tricks with me,
Don't grin and show your teeth at me.
Just like a musk deer,
I am a young girl with pride and dignity.
Stop giving me that sly smile,
It won't work; if anyone touches me, I am fire...
I started wearing a half-saree,
Four years have passed since then.
Without wearing a wedding garland,
My body has grown thin as a thread.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses the inner desires, artistic pride, and unyielding self-dignity of a young woman coming of age. She reflects on passing into womanhood—symbolized by wearing a pavadai thaavani (half-saree)—four years prior, yearning for marriage while jokingly describing how her body has grown thin waiting for love. Despite her yearning, she takes pride in her celebrated talents as a renowned dancer across the southern region.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

“Udambe noolaachchu”

Exaggeration used to emphasize extreme yearning and physical slenderness resulting from waiting to get married.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

“Kasthoori maan polae”

Comparing the heroine's rare, honorable, and untamed nature to that of a musk deer.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Aagaathu yaarum thottaal neruppu”

Directly metaphorizing herself to fire to warn off suitors from disrespecting her boundaries.

Emonaar / Second-Letter Rhyme (Etuukai)

“Naan paavaadai thaavani pottu / Varusham naalaachchu”

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines (paavaadai / varusham / oru / udambe).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music maestro M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali, the song features a versatile vocal performance by Vani Jairam. The track vividly captures rural Tamil folklore elements, referencing cultural milestones like coming-of-age attire (pavadai thaavani), folk rhythms (themmaangu), classical dance (thillana), and Tamil calendar months (Panguni and Chithirai).

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