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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Othaiyila Nikkuriye

From Thaai Paasam · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thaai Paasam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Othaiyilae nikkuriyaeYou are standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhaeOh tasty spicy curry made by aunt!
Male
Ottikava kattikavaShall I cuddle up and embrace you,
Vetti vecha katti karumbhaeOh solid harvested sugarcane!
Male
Adi aathi sadapottu nada pottaOh my, as you walk with your braided hair swinging,
Azhukkaama pakkurenI gaze at you without even blinking.
Pazhasaarum odhattoram dhinam oorumFruit juice daily waters near the edge of my lips,
Adhathaanae ketkkurenAnd that is exactly what I am asking for.
Female
Othaiyilae nikkuthaiyaaHe is standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhuOh spicy curry made by aunt!
Female
Ottikava kattikavaShall I cuddle up and embrace you,
Vetti vecha katti karumbuOh solid harvested sugarcane!
Female
Adi aathi sadapottu nada pottaOh my, as you walk with your braided hair swinging,
Azhukkaama pakkuraYou gaze at her without even blinking.
Pazhasaarum odhattoram dhinam oorumFruit juice daily waters near the edge of my lips,
Adhathaanae ketkkuraAnd that is exactly what you are asking for.
Male
Ada othaiyilae nikkuriyaeHey, you are standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhaeOh tasty spicy curry made by aunt!
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha!
Male :Hoo hooMale: Hoo hoo!
Female :AhaaFemale: Aha!
Male :Laaa laaMale: Laa laa!
Male
Mundhaana pottu pottu moodi maraikkiraeYou cover and hide yourself with your saree drape,
Thottaalae kudhikkirae theeyattam kothikkiraeWhen touched, you jump like fire and boil up.
Machaana maalai neram vaati vadhaikkiraeOh cousin, you tease and torment me in the evening!
Female
Therkaala veesum kaathu soodu yethathuThe wind blowing from the south raises my body heat,
Ullaara vegudhu yedhyedho aaguthuInside me it burns, and strange things happen.
Unnala kaalum kaiyum verthu oothuthuBecause of you, my hands and legs are dripping with sweat.
Male
Annadam yengugirenEvery day I yearn,
Mel moochu vaangugirenI am catching my breath deeply,
Unnaala thookkam pochu urugi vaadugirenMy sleep is lost because of you, and I melt away.
Male
Othaiyilae nikkuriyaeYou are standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhaeOh tasty spicy curry made by aunt!
Female :Haan haan haan haanFemale: Haan haan haan haan
Ottikava kattikavaShall I cuddle up and embrace you,
Vetti vecha katti karumbuOh solid harvested sugarcane!
Male
Semmena valachu poda thoondil podurenI cast a fishing hook bending red fish bait,
Sikkama nazhuvudhu nikkama ooduthuIt slips without getting caught and runs continuously.
Aathaadi rendil onnu naanum pakkurenOh mother, I will see this through one way or another,
Female
Unnodu kaalam dhorum vaazhapogirenI am going to live with you for a lifetime.
Pennaaga porandhadhum poovaaga malarnthathumBeing born as a woman and blooming like a flower,
Maama un tholil yeri oonjal ada thaanIs only to swing on your shoulders, uncle.
Male
Kannana kanmaniOh precious eye-like darling,
Ponnaana ponmaniOh golden precious gem,
Vellottam naama pakka velai ennadiWhat is the delay for us to have a trial run?
Male
Othaiyilae nikkuriyaeYou are standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhaeOh tasty spicy curry made by aunt!
Female :Hey hey heyFemale: Hey hey hey
Ottikava kattikavaShall I cuddle up and embrace you,
Vetti vecha katti karumbuOh solid harvested sugarcane!
Male
Hoi adi aathi sadapottu nada pottaOh my, as you walk with your braided hair swinging,
Azhukkaama pakkurenI gaze at you without even blinking.
Female :Pazhasaarum odhattoram dhinam oorumFemale: Fruit juice daily waters near the edge of my lips,
Adhathaanae ketkkuraAnd that is exactly what you are asking for.
Male
Othaiyilae nikkuriyaeYou are standing alone,
Aththa vecha vathakolambhaeOh tasty spicy curry made by aunt!
Female :Ahaa ahaa ahaa ha ha haa haanFemale: Ahaa ahaa ahaa ha ha haa haan
Ottikava kattikavaShall I cuddle up and embrace you,
Vetti vecha katti karumbuOh solid harvested sugarcane!
Male
Heheh aahaa ..hahahahHeheh aahaa ..hahahah

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Othaiyilae Nikkuriyae is a playful and flirtatious folk duet from the 1988 Tamil movie Thaai Paasam. The song features a romantic dialogue between the male and female leads, filled with classic village metaphors. The hero playfully compares the heroine's irresistible charm to rich vathakuzhambu (a spicy tangy traditional Tamil curry) and sweet sugarcane, expressing his intense desire and longing to be with her. The heroine teasingly responds, acknowledging his attraction while playfully keeping him on his toes. As the song progresses, both lovers express their deep passion, describing how their love causes physical restlessness, loss of sleep, and sweet torment. The lyrics by Vaali beautifully blend rustic charm, romantic banter, and rhythmic folk tropes, complemented by the lively music composition of Chandrabose and energetic vocal renditions by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Aththa vecha vathakolambhae / Vetti vecha katti karumbhae

Comparing the lover's beauty and sweet charm to traditional foods like 'vathakolambhu' (spicy curry) and 'katti karumbu' (block of sugarcane).

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Othaiyilae nikkuriyae / Ottikava kattikava

The second consonant 't' (த்/ட்) rhymes in consecutive lines ('Othaiyilae' and 'Ottikava').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Pennaaga porandhadhum poovaaga malarnthathum

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the start of words in the line.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thottaalae kudhikkirae theeyattam kothikkirae / Machaana maalai neram vaati vadhaikkirae

Matching end sounds with rhythmic verbal endings like 'kudhikkirae', 'kothikkirae', and 'vadhaikkirae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaai Paasam (1988) featured music composed by Chandrabose, who was known for delivering popular high-energy folk tunes during the late 1980s. Lyricist Vaali utilized clever food metaphors and traditional rural slang to create an instant hit among rural and urban listeners alike.

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