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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neethan Mohiniyo Song

From Veguli Penn · 1971

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
K. Swarna, A. L. Raghavan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Veguli Penn1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neethaan moginiyo kadhal oorvasiyoAre you an enchantress, or the Urvashi of love?
Nilladiy solladiyo yaaradi neeStop and tell me, who are you girl?
Ellaam pennidamo unnidamo paaradi neeLook whether charm belongs to womanhood in general or to you!
Female
Neethaan moginiyo….Are you an enchantress...
Female
Appaavi pennai polae nadippuActing like an innocent girl,
Aanalum nenjil undu ninaippuYet holding sly thoughts in your heart,
Eppothum yaarodum sirippuAlways laughing with everyone,
Yaenadi unakkintha madhippuWhy do you get such high regard?
Female
Kandaangu selai kattuDrape a traditional Kandangi saree,
Kaarkoondhal pinnalittuBraid your dark cloud-like hair,
Pennaaga neeyirunthaal pothumaaIs it enough to just be born a woman?
Buthi illaatha penn enna venumaaWho needs a woman without intellect?
Buthi illaatha penn enna venumaaWho needs a woman without intellect?
Female
Vennira aadaiWhite dress,
Vennira aadai chinnakkaaLittle sister in a white dress,
Minnum minnum pinnura pinnum ennakkaaGlittering and shining, why my sister?
Chorus
Vennira aadaiWhite dress,
Vennira aadai chinnakkaaLittle sister in a white dress,
Minnum minnum pinnura pinnum ennakkaaGlittering and shining, why my sister?
Male
Podi neethaan moginiyo kadhal oorvasiyoGo on, are you an enchantress or love's Urvashi?
Nilladiy solladiyo yaaradi neeStop and tell me, who are you girl?
Ellaam pennidamo unnidamo paaradi neeLook whether charm belongs to womanhood in general or to you!
Neethaan moginiyo oooh…Are you an enchantress... oooh...
Male
Menaattu kutti pola gounnuWearing a gown like a Western girl,
Lolaakku naalu vadam chainnuEar pendants and a four-strand chain,
Melaaga aadai konjam down-uWith the top dress lowered a little,
Paarththaakka thaangaathu down-uThe town cannot take it if they look at it!
Male
Meenatchi kungumaththaikTalking down upon
Keezhaaga pesi vittuGoddess Meenakshi's holy vermilion,
Thaanaaga sirippathum yaenadiWhy do you laugh by yourself?
Ava kaalaaga maattaayae neeyadiYou won't even match her feet, girl!
Male
Jeans aadai jeans aadai radhikaJeans dress, jeans dress Radhika,
Oru chance thaaraen pennai pola maarakkaaI'll give you a chance, turn into a real woman, sister!
Chorus
Vennira aadaiWhite dress,
Vennira aadai chinnakkaaLittle sister in a white dress,
Minnum minnum pinnura pinnum ennakkaaGlittering and shining, why my sister?
Male
Neethaan moginiyo…..oohhoAre you an enchantress... oohho
Kadhal oorvasiyo….aiyyayoLove's Urvashi... aiyyayo
Nilladiyo solladiyo yaaradi neeStop and tell me, who are you girl?
Ellaam pennidamo unnidamo paaradi neeLook whether charm belongs to womanhood in general or to you!
Neethaan moginiyoAre you an enchantress...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song from 'Veguli Penn' (1971) features a teasing dialogue contrasting modern Westernized fashion and superficial glamor with traditional Tamil womanhood and intelligence. The singer questions whether the woman is a divine beauty like Urvashi or merely an alluring enchantress (Mohini), gently criticizing superficial charm that lacks wisdom and cultural roots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Appaavi pennai polae nadippu / Aanalum nenjil undu ninaippu

Matching end sounds in consecutive lines like 'nadippu', 'ninaippu', 'sirippu', and 'madhippu'.

Uvamaani / Imagery

Kaarkoondhal pinnalittu

'Kaarkoondhal' compares dark, lush hair to dense rain clouds.

Alliteration / Anaphora

Minnum minnum pinnura pinnum ennakkaa

Repetition of similar rhythmic sounds ('minnum', 'pinnura', 'pinnum') creates a catchy cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Veguli Penn' (1971) was directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, featuring music composed by V. Kumar with lyrics penned by legendary lyricist-producer Panchu Arunachalam.

Keep listening

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