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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nellayila Mannedutha

From Machakaaran · 2007

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singer
Roshini
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Machakaaran2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ayyanaaru koyilulaIn the Ayyanar temple,
Aaluyara kudhiraiyammaOh dear, there is a horse as tall as a man!
Kuthirayathaan nendhuvidaTo offer as a vow at the horse shrine,
Singam onnu vandhathammaaA lion has arrived, my dear!
Male
Maanaminnu vandhathunnaaWhen it comes to honor and pride,
Maar nimirum vamsamaiyyaaHe belongs to a lineage that stands tall with chest puffed up, sir!
Oorukkoru thevaiyinnaaIf the village ever needs help,
Uyir kodukkum nenjamaiyyaaHe is the heart that would give up its life, sir!
Male
Parakkudhu paar kudhiraLook at the horse flying,
Edhir pattathellaam sedharaEverything in front of it gets scattered!
Aiyaa mugam malaraAs our master's face blossoms with joy,
Adi aadungadi adhiraCome on girls, dance with high energy!
Female
Nellayila manneduthaaTaking soil from Tirunelveli,
Madhurayila ponneduthaaTaking gold from Madurai,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Thiruvizhavil thaeriluthaPulling the chariot at the festival,
Thaer maraivil kaiyiluthaPulling my hand behind the chariot,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Hey sadaamudi sadaamudiHey, the one with matted locks,
VechchakkaaranThe stylish man!
Hey adaavadi thadaaladiHey, aggressive and fast-paced,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Chorus
Hey sadaamudi sadaamudiHey, the one with matted locks,
VechchakkaaranThe stylish man!
Hey adaavadi thadaaladiHey, aggressive and fast-paced,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Nellayila manneduthaaTaking soil from Tirunelveli,
Madhurayila ponneduthaaTaking gold from Madurai,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Thiruvizhavil thaeriluthaPulling the chariot at the festival,
Thaer maraivil kaiyiluthaPulling my hand behind the chariot,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Enga ooru dhevathaikkuFor the goddess of our village,
Parisam poda vaaravan thaanHe is coming to offer the betrothal gifts!
Hey sathiyama ulagathulaHey, truly in this world,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Rendu moonu machinichiWith two or three sisters-in-law
Thulli odum voottukkullaRunning around inside the house,
Hey marumaganaa ponavanthanHey, he became the beloved son-in-law,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Kaivala vaangi thandhuBuying me bangles for my wrist,
Kaalampoora kadanum solliTelling me I owe him my whole life,
Enkitta siluthavanthaanHe made my heart thrill and shiver!
Machakkaaran diHe is the lucky man, girl!
Female
Kottaaru aruvikkullaInto the Kottaru waterfall,
Thundu katti ponavandhaanHe went wearing just a towel,
Thaavani katti vandhaaWhen I came wearing a half-saree,
Machakkaaran diHe is the lucky man, girl!
Female
Hey modakudi kedapudiHey, drinker and trouble-maker,
ViththakkaaranA clever magician!
Hey vidakonden kodakondenHey, I surrendered and I embraced him,
MachchakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Nellayila manneduthaaTaking soil from Tirunelveli,
Madhurayila ponneduthaaTaking gold from Madurai,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Thiruvizhavil thaeriluthaPulling the chariot at the festival,
Thaer maraivil kaiyiluthaPulling my hand behind the chariot,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Naanaa nana naaaNaanaa nana naaa
Naanaa nana naaaNaanaa nana naaa
Naanaa nana naaa nana naa nana naaNaanaa nana naaa nana naa nana naa
Nana naa aaaNana naa aaa
Female
Undivillaa kondu vandhuBringing a slingshot,
Uthu uthu kuriyum vachuAiming very sharply and carefully,
Retta puraa suttavanthaanHe shot down a pair of pigeons,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Othasollu sonnaa adhuIf he speaks a single word,
Ooradangu sattamiyyaaIt becomes a village curfew order, sir!
Enga saami aiyaavumthaanEven our lord Ayyanar
MachakkaaranIs a lucky man!
Female
Karavetti kattaamalaeWithout even wearing a party shawl,
Kachikulla kaalavachiStepping into politics,
Councilar aanavandhaanHe became the councillor,
Machakkaaran diHe is the lucky man, girl!
Female
Ettana kaasillaamaWithout even an eight-anna coin,
Seettaatathil kaiya vachiPutting his hand in a game of cards,
Enkooda allunavanHe won everything along with me,
Machakkaran diHe is the lucky man, girl!
Female
Kondayila pooveduthuTaking a flower from the hair bun,
VachchakkaaranThe one who wore it,
Ye sandayila silledukkumOh, the one who picks up shards in a fight,
MachakkaaranHe is the lucky man!
Female
Nellayila manneduthaaTaking soil from Tirunelveli,
Madhurayila ponneduthaaTaking gold from Madurai,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Female
Thiruvizhavil thaeriluthaPulling the chariot at the festival,
Thaer maraivil kaiyiluthaPulling my hand behind the chariot,
Machakkaaran machakkaaranHe is the lucky one, the charming man!
Chorus
Hoi hoi hoi hoiHoi hoi hoi hoi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-infused title track from 'Machakaaran' (2007) serves as a grand intro song celebrating the hero's charm, influence, and auspicious nature. The lyrics portray him as a lion-hearted man of honor who is ready to give up his life for his village, while also holding command over local politics and social affairs without needing traditional power status. Simultaneously, the song highlights his romantic, playful appeal among women. Described as the ultimate 'Machakaaran' (lucky/charming man), he easily wins at everything—from simple card games and slingshot marksmanship to winning the hearts of young women behind temple festival chariots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Hey sadaamudi sadaamudi / Hey adaavadi thadaaladi

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'sadaamudi' and 'adaavadi' creating rhythmic symmetry.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Machakkaaran machakkaaran

The repetition of the word 'Machakkaaran' at the end of consecutive lines creates a driving refrain.

Metaphor

Singam onnu vandhathammaa

The hero is metaphorically referred to as a 'lion' entering the village temple.

Hyperbole

Othasollu sonnaa adhu / Ooradangu sattamiyyaa

Exaggerating the protagonist's influence by stating a single word from him acts as an official village curfew.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for the film 'Machakaaran' (2007) was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, featuring high-octane rural percussion. The term 'Machakkaaran' literally refers to a person born with a lucky mole ('macha'), symbolizing good fortune and charm in Tamil culture.

Keep listening

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