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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Pattampoochi Enna Vitta

From Poove Ilam Poove · 2015

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Amal Dev
Details
Poove Ilam Poove2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru pattamboochi enna vittaA butterfly, if left untethered,
Parandhu vidumWill fly away.
Thottachinunghi thaanaIs it not like a touch-me-not plant?
Ada theppakuzhathil thoondil pottavudanAh, as soon as a hook is cast into the temple pond,
Thullum vaazha meenaIt leaps like a lively fish!
Ingu kannalam pannadhaHere, without getting married,
Ponn onnu thavikuthu maamaA girl is yearning, my dear uncle!
Female
Oru pattamboochi enna vittaA butterfly, if left untethered,
Parandhu vidumWill fly away.
Thottachinunghi thaanaIs it not like a touch-me-not plant?
Ada theppakuzhathil thoondil pottavudanAh, as soon as a hook is cast into the temple pond,
Thullum vaazha meenaIt leaps like a lively fish!
Ingu kannalam pannadhaHere, without getting married,
Ponn onnu thavikuthu maamaA girl is yearning, my dear uncle!
Female
Jalli kaalaingalai valachuWrestling and overpowering Jallikattu bulls,
Mela thaavi thaavi than pudichuLeaping and pouncing on them to tame them,
Yeri adikkugura vayasuThis is the youthful age to charge ahead,
Ippo ethuku nadunguthu manasuSo why is the heart trembling now?
Female
Vandhu varamalum pattum padamalumComing yet staying away, touching yet remaining untouched,
Velagi irukkalaamaIs it fair to stay so distant?
Kaadhal polladhadhu kaaval illadhadhuLove is fierce and unguarded,
Pudicha pudiyai viduma… maamaOnce it holds on, will it ever let go... my dear uncle?
Unakkum enakkum nerukkam irukkum varaiAs long as there is closeness between you and me,
Female
Oru pattamboochi thaanIt remains just like a butterfly!
Oru pattamboochi enna vittaA butterfly, if left untethered,
Parandhu vidumWill fly away.
Thottachinunghi thaanaIs it not like a touch-me-not plant?
Ada theppakuzhathil thoondil pottavudanAh, as soon as a hook is cast into the temple pond,
Thullum vaazha meenaIt leaps like a lively fish!
Ingu kannalam pannadhaHere, without getting married,
Ponn onnu thavikuthu maama hei heiA girl is yearning, my dear uncle, hey hey!
Female
Oothu neerathaan paathuLooking at the spring water,
Mella oonjal aadudhu kaathuThe breeze gently sways like a swing.
Unakku porakkanum aasaDesire ought to spark inside you,
Illa edhukku valakkanum meesaOtherwise, why even grow a mustache?
Female
Nitham nilavula inba kanavulaEvery night under the moon, in sweet dreams,
Nenachu urugalaamaShould one melt away thinking of love?
Methai idamalum mella thodamalumWithout laying a bed and without touching gently,
Unakkum enakkum varuma… maamaWill romance ever blossom between you and me... my dear uncle?
Veratti veratti odhukki thorathi varaChasing, dodging, and pursuing endlessly,
Female
Oru pattamboochi thaan hoi hoiIt is just like a butterfly, hoi hoi!
Oru pattamboochi enna vittaA butterfly, if left untethered,
Parandhu vidumWill fly away.
Thottachinunghi thaanaIs it not like a touch-me-not plant?
Ada theppakuzhathil thoondil pottavudanAh, as soon as a hook is cast into the temple pond,
Thullum vaazha meenaIt leaps like a lively fish!
Ingu kannalam pannadhaHere, without getting married,
Ponn onnu thavikuthu maamooiA girl is yearning, my dear uncle!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song captures the vibrant romantic banter of a young rural woman expressing her deep longing and impatience to marry her beloved suitor ('maama'). She compares her delicate feelings and restless youth to a butterfly that might fly away if not caught, a sensitive touch-me-not plant, and a fish leaping on a hook. Through witty taunts, she playfully challenges his masculine pride—asking why a brave youth who tames wild Jallikattu bulls hesitates when it comes to expressing love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)

Oru pattamboochi enna vitta / Parandhu vidum

Compares the delicate, fleeting, and sensitive nature of youth and love to a butterfly that will fly away if not held close.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vandhu varamalum pattum padamalum

The repetition of initial consonant sounds ('V' in Vandhu/varamalum, 'P' in pattum/padamalum) creates a rhythmic, musical flow.

Cultural Allusion

Jalli kaalaingalai valachu... Yeri adikkugura vayasu

References Jallikattu (the traditional Tamil bull-taming sport) to symbolize youthful bravery and rural masculinity.

Hyperbole / Teasing Idiom

Unakku porakkanum aasa / Illa edhukku valakkanum meesa

A humorous hyperbole questioning the point of growing a mustache if a man lacks the courage to pursue romantic desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oru Pattamboochi' from Poove Ilam Poove features a composition by Amal Dev, with lyrics written by the legendary poet Vaali. Sung energetically by S. P. Shailaja, the song showcases Vaali's trademark style of blending traditional rural metaphors with lively folk-infused colloquial teasing.

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