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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ohi Ammani Akka Ennadi

From Kumaripennin Ullathile · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kumaripennin Ullathile1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
O… oi ammani akkaa ennadi vekkamOh lady, sister, why this shyness?
O… oi ammani akkaa ennadi vekkamOh lady, sister, why this shyness?
Thaerooru aathoram manjal arachaenI ground turmeric by the riverbank where chariots pass,
Thannaala molla sirichaenAnd smiled softly all by myself.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
Female
O… oi ammani akkaa ada ennadi vekkamOh lady, sister, why this shyness?
Thaerooru aathoram manjal arachaenI ground turmeric by the riverbank where chariots pass,
Thannaala molla sirichaenAnd smiled softly all by myself.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
HahahahaHahahaha
Female
Thai maasam kai melae palan irukkuIn the month of Thai, the fruit of labor is right in hand,
Nallaa thaan velanjirukkuThe crops have yielded exceptionally well.
Thai maasam kai melae palan irukkuIn the month of Thai, the fruit of labor is right in hand,
Nallaa thaan velanjirukkuThe crops have yielded exceptionally well.
Ila manasukkullae yaekkam enna sollaatthaa aa…Won't you express the longing inside this young heart?
Adi sellaatthaa nallaa thaan sollaatthaaOh dear Chellatha, won't you state it properly?
Adi sellaatthaa nallaa thaan sollaatthaaOh dear Chellatha, won't you state it properly?
Female
Thaazham poo manakkudhadiThe screwpine flower spreads its sweet aroma,
Thannaala izhukkudhadiIt naturally draws one in.
Thaazham poo manakkudhadiThe screwpine flower spreads its sweet aroma,
Thannaala izhukkudhadiIt naturally draws one in.
Onnoda nadakkarappoWhen walking alongside you,
Kolusu rendum kulungudhadiBoth anklets jingle and shake.
Female
O… oi ammani akkaa ennadi vekkamOh lady, sister, why this shyness?
Thaerooru aathoram manjal arachaenI ground turmeric by the riverbank where chariots pass,
Thannaala molla sirichaenAnd smiled softly all by myself.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
Female
Kallaatthu thanniyilae kulu kulunnuIn the cool, chilling stream water,
Poovaattam thala thalannuFresh and vibrant like a flower,
Kallaatthu thanniyilae kulu kulunnuIn the cool, chilling stream water,
Poovaattam thala thalannuFresh and vibrant like a flower,
Nee kulikkaiyilae thovachu vecha on saela aa…The saree you washed while taking a bath,
Indha aatthodae pogaama paaraatthaaMake sure it doesn't float away with the river.
Indha aatthodae pogaama paaraatthaaMake sure it doesn't float away with the river.
Female
Aatthoram karai irukkuThere is a bank beside the river,
Angaeyum maram irukkuAnd there is a tree over there too.
Aatthoram karai irukkuThere is a bank beside the river,
Angaeyum maram irukkuAnd there is a tree over there too.
Machaanum olinjirundhuYour cousin will stay hidden there,
Thirudikkuvaan kumari onnaAnd steal you away, young girl.
Female
O… oi ammani akkaa ennadi vekkamOh lady, sister, why this shyness?
Thaerooru aathoram manjal arachaenI ground turmeric by the riverbank where chariots pass,
Thannaala molla sirichaenAnd smiled softly all by myself.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
Nee enna nenachae adha cholli pottu pooTell me what you thought and then leave.
HahahahahaHahahahaha
Female
O… Oi ammani akkaaOh lady, sister...
O…ammani akkoo…o…ammani akkoooov….Oh lady, sister...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk-style song portrays friendly teasing and joyous romance among village women and lovers by the riverbank. The narrator teases her friend about her shyness, her beauty, and her secret affection for her suitor (machaan). Set against the backdrop of the auspicious month of Thai, harvest season, and rural riverbanks, the song weaves daily village activities like grinding turmeric and bathing into romantic metaphors of budding love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama)

Poovaattam thala thalannu

Compares the fresh, youthful appearance of the maiden in water to a flower ('Poovaattam').

Onomatopoeia (Etai Chol)

Kallaatthu thanniyilae kulu kulunnu

Uses repetitive words like 'kulu kulunnu' to evoke the sensation of cold, chilling water.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Etukai)

Thaazham poo manakkudhadi / Thannaala izhukkudhadi

Uses matching initial and secondary consonant sounds across folk song couplets ('Thaazham poo' and 'Thannaala').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track showcases Vaali's mastery in capturing authentic Tamil rural folk dialects and festive imagery surrounding the Thai (Tamil harvest month) season.

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