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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neenga Urutti Vitta

From Rowdy Rakkamma · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Rowdy Rakkamma1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neega uruttivittaa nimirnthukkuvaenIf you push me down, I will stand right back up
Thanjavooru bommai naan thanjavooru bommaiI am a Thanjavur doll, I am a Thanjavur doll
Neega uruttivittaa nimirnthukkuvaenIf you push me down, I will stand right back up
Thanjavooru bommai naan thanjavooru bommaiI am a Thanjavur doll, I am a Thanjavur doll
Female
Unga arattalumthaan merattalumthaanYour empty chatter and your threats
Edupadaathu ammae ingae edupadaathu ammaeWill not work here lady, will not work here lady
Female
Madharas lambaadiyo unga machaan engaediyoHey Madras Lambadi girl, where is your man?
Madharas lambaadiyo unga machaan engaediyoHey Madras Lambadi girl, where is your man?
Female
Aang ada naalum kettaAh, that completely ruined
Machaanukku naalu peru keeppuMan has four keep-mistresses
Ippa ellaam pochuNow everything is gone
Ennadi aachu pallu pona seeppuWhat happened girl, you are like a toothless comb
Pallu pona seeppuA comb with broken teeth
Female
Unga azhagu enna originalaaIs your beauty even original?
Aththanaiyum dooppuEvery bit of it is fake
Adha urasi paaththaalumEven if you test it by striking it
Vedichidaatha keppuIt is just an unexploded cap cracker
Female
Madharas lambaadiyo unga machaan engaediyoHey Madras Lambadi girl, where is your man?
Female
Aang oththa roundulathaanAh, in just a single round
Muriyadiyappaa rowdy intha raakkuDefeat him, man! This rowdy Rakkamma
Unga sound ippoYour loud voice now
Adangi pochu unga side weak-uHas been silenced, your side is weak
Unga side weak-uYour side is weak
Female
Adi varandu pona kenaththu polaJust like a dried-up well
Vaththi pochu mookkuYour pride and swagger have dried up
Ippa current pidicha kambiyaattamNow like a live electric wire
Adichchidaathae shock-u aaththaadiyoDon't give me a shock, oh my goodness!
Female
Madharas lambaadiyo unga machaan engaediyoHey Madras Lambadi girl, where is your man?
Madharas lambaadiyo unga machaan engaediyoHey Madras Lambadi girl, where is your man?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a spirited, defiant folk-pop track where the protagonist asserts her unyielding resilience and sharp wit. By comparing herself to a Thanjavur roly-poly doll ('Thanjavooru bommai') that always bounces back up no matter how hard it is pushed, she warns her rivals that their intimidation tactics and empty threats will never work on her. Throughout the lyrics, she mockingly dismantles the opposition's false ego, calling out their fake pretenses, weak standing, and lost authority with playful street-smart banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thanjavooru bommai naan thanjavooru bommai

Comparing her resilient self to a Thanjavur doll ('Thanjavooru bommai'), which always rights itself up when knocked over.

Simile (Uvamai)

Adi varandu pona kenaththu pola

Comparing a depleted opponent to a toothless comb ('pallu pona seeppu') and a dried-up well ('varandu pona kenaththu pola').

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhukai & Iyaibu)

Unga arattalumthaan merattalumthaan

Use of internal rhyming words like 'arattalumthaan' and 'merattalumthaan', as well as rhyming loanwords ('dooppu', 'keppu', 'weak-u', 'shock-u').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vaali, the song features iconic Madras street slang (Madras Baashai) mixed with English loanwords, tailored for P. Susheela's lively vocal delivery in late 1970s Tamil commercial cinema.

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