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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nethu Poothaley

From Urimaikural · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Urimaikural1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hai hai hai haiHai hai hai hai
Male
{ Nethu{ Yesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottu } (2)Is it not allowed to gently touch it? } (2)
Male
{ Katti podatha{ Unbound,
Kumari chittu kangalThe young maiden's bird-like eyes,
Paadaatho kaadhal mettu } (2)Won't they sing a love tune? } (2)
Male
NethuYesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottuIs it not allowed to gently touch it?
Male
{ Kita vandhaalae{ When she comes close,
Kobam varum vituAnger arises; when left
Ponaalae thaabam varum } (2)And gone, longing sets in } (2)
Male
{ Thathi thallaadum{ Tottering and swaying,
Thanga kudam vandhuWill the golden pot come
Seraadho andhapuram } (2)And reach the inner quarters? } (2)
Male
Unnai poova nenaipenI will think of you as a flower,
Nenaichi kaiyaal edupenThinking so, I will pick you up with my hands,
Eduthu nenjodanaipenPicking you up, I will hold you close to my chest,
{ Anaichi ellam mudipen } (2){ Embracing you, I will finish everything } (2)
Male
NethuYesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottuIs it not allowed to gently touch it?
Male
{ Pettai pinnodu{ Behind the hen,
Seval varum sevalThe rooster comes; behind the rooster,
Pinnodu aaval varum } (2)Desire follows } (2)
Male
{ Aaval vandhaalae{ When desire comes,
Kaadhal varum kaadhalLove arrives; when love
Vandhaalae oodal varum } (2)Arrives, lovers' tiffs follow } (2)
Male
Indha kaadhal kanakuThis arithmetic of love
Namaku kannil irukuIs visible in our eyes;
Idhuku kaalam edhukuWhy wait for time for this?
{ Nerunga neram odhuku } (2){ Set aside time to draw close } (2)
Male
NethuYesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottuIs it not allowed to gently touch it?
Male
{ Amman theraatam{ Swaying like a temple chariot,
Aadi kondu anna kiliyaatamAnd like a swan or parrot,
Paadi kondu } (2)Singing along } (2)
Male
{ Artha jaamathil{ In the midnight hour,
Thedi kondu nithamSearching every day,
Varuvaalo alwa thundu } (2)Will this sweet piece of halwa come? } (2)
Male
Indha mamanThis lover's
Mayakam vidinjaaIntoxication, until dawn
Theerum varaikumClears away,
Male
ManasuThe heart
Thaavi kudhikumWill leap and jump,
{ Udambu theeyaa kodhikum } (2){ The body will boil like fire } (2)
Male
NethuYesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottuIs it not allowed to gently touch it?
Male
Katti podathaUnbound,
Kumari chittu kangalThe young maiden's bird-like eyes,
Paadaatho kaadhal mettuSinging a love tune,
Male
NethuYesterday
Poothaalae rojaA rose bloomed,
Mottu parikaTo pluck the bud,
Koodaadho lesa thottuIs it not allowed to gently touch it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Nethu Poothaalae Roja' from the movie Urimaikural (1974) is a vibrant, playful romantic track expressing youthful love, longing, and teasing affection. Using playful metaphors from nature—such as a freshly bloomed rosebud, birds, roosters, and sweet halwa—the hero sings about his yearning to draw close to his beloved and embrace her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nethu Poothaalae roja

Compares the young woman to a freshly bloomed rose waiting to be gently plucked.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Mottu parika / Koodaadho lesa thottu

Rhyming end sounds 'mottu', 'thottu', and 'mettu' create a rhythmic and musical cadence.

Simile (Upamai)

Amman theraatam Aadi kondu anna kiliyaatam

Compares the beloved's graceful sway to a majestic temple chariot and her singing/gait to a swan or parrot.

Colloquial Metaphor

Varuvaalo alwa thundu

Refers affectionately to the beloved as a sweet piece of 'halwa' (alwa thundu).

Did you know?

Trivia

Urimaikural (1974) is a classic Tamil action-drama film directed by C. V. Sridhar, starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Latha in lead roles. The film's soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali. This track is celebrated for its playful folk rhythm and expressive imagery.

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