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Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Isai Thattu

From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vellaiya Thevan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haei nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettuHey, a good vinyl record with a brand new tune,
Nee katkkavillaiyaahaven't you heard it?
Ennai Izhukkuthu nenjam thavikkuthuIt pulls me, my heart longs,
Nee paarkkavillaiyaahaven't you seen it?
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Female
Nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettuA good music record with a brand new tune,
Nee katkkavillaiyaahaven't you heard it?
Ennai Izhukkuthu nenjam thavikkuthuIt pulls me, my heart longs,
Nee paarkkavillaiyaahaven't you seen it?
Female
Saama kozhi koovuthu moodu yaeththuthuThe midnight rooster crows, setting the mood high,
Melum keezhum moochchuthaanbreath going up and down,
Vidaaamal thaalam poduthucontinuously keeping rhythm.
Saama kozhi koovuthu moodu yaeththuthuThe midnight rooster crows, setting the mood high,
Melum keezhum moochchuthaanbreath going up and down,
Vidaaamal thaalam poduthucontinuously keeping rhythm.
Female
Meththai ondru kaaththirukkuA bed is waiting,
Mettu solla yaenguthulonging to play a melody,
Viththai sollum velai endrusaying it is time to reveal standard skills,
Niththam niththam ketkuthuasking every single day.
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Paattu paadu kooda….Sing a song and join me...
Female
Nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettuA good music record with a brand new tune,
Nee katkkavillaiyaahaven't you heard it?
Ennai Izhukkuthu nenjam thavikkuthuIt pulls me, my heart longs,
Nee paarkkavillaiyaa….Aahn….haven't you seen it? Ah...
Female
Moodi vaiththa thaen kudamthaanA sealed pot of sweet honey,
Konji neeyum paarkkalwhy don't you fondly look at it?
Aasai patta maanganiThe coveted mango fruit,
Un nenjil ennai saerkkalahaven't you embraced me in your heart?
Female
Moodi vaiththa thaen kudamthaanA sealed pot of sweet honey,
Konji neeyum paarkkalwhy don't you fondly look at it?
Aasai patta maanganiThe coveted mango fruit,
Un nenjil ennai saerkkalahaven't you embraced me in your heart?
Female
Neththi pottu pola ennaiLike the bindi on your forehead,
Niththam vanthu kooda vaacome join me every day.
Saththam indri muththam thanthuGiving a kiss without a sound,
Kattik kondu aadavaashall I embrace and dance?
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Paattu paadu kooda….Sing a song and join me...
Female
Haei nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettuHey, a good vinyl record with a brand new tune,
Nee katkkavillaiyaahaven't you heard it?
Ennai Izhukkuthu nenjam thavikkuthuIt pulls me, my heart longs,
Nee paarkkavillaiyaahaven't you seen it?
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukkuWhy be thrifty when a young heart is trapped?
Female
Nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettuA good music record with a brand new tune,
Nee katkkavillaiyaahaven't you heard it?
Ennai Izhukkuthu nenjam thavikkuthuIt pulls me, my heart longs,
Nee paarkkavillaiyaahaven't you seen it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nalla Isai Thattu' from the 1990 movie Vellaiya Thevan is an alluring and playful romantic song sung by S. Janaki and composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The heroine uses vivid musical imagery—comparing herself and her yearning to a fresh vinyl record and a captivating rhythm—to invite her lover to embrace romance without hesitation or thriftiness. Throughout the track, the lyrics utilize sensory metaphors such as a sealed honey pot, ripe mangoes, midnight rooster calls, and rhythmic breathing to express deep intimacy and affectionate longing, urging the lover to break his silence and unite with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Moodi vaiththa thaen kudamthaan

Compares her alluring self and love to a sealed pot of sweet honey ('Moodi vaiththa thaen kudam') waiting to be savored.

Extended Metaphor

Haei nalla isai thattu puththam pudhu mettu

Uses musical components ('isai thattu', 'mettu', 'thaalam') as a metaphor for love, bodily rhythm, and romance.

Simile (Uvamai)

Neththi pottu pola ennai

Compares her desired closeness to being placed prominently and sacredly like a vermilion bindi ('neththi pottu') on the forehead.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sikki konda ilasu sikkanamum edhukku

Matching second consonants across successive words creating rhythmic harmony ('Sikki' / 'Sikkanamum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Vellaiya Thevan (1990) stars Ramki and Kanaka. The song features expressive vocal nuances by legendary playback singer S. Janaki, whose playful dynamics match Ilaiyaraaja's vibrant folk-pop orchestrations.

Keep listening

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