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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Othaiyile Kanni Ponnu

From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karimedu Karuvayan1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Othaiyila kanni ponnuWhen a virgin girl walks alone
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaaInto the village, my uncle
Kothi kothi kannu palaPecking and watching, many eyes
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaaThrow their hooks at her, yes indeed
Palli araiyila porandhavaShe who was born for the bedchamber
Ullam muzhuvadhum thorandhavaShe who opened her entire heart
Female
Othaiyila kanni ponnuWhen a virgin girl walks alone
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaaInto the village, my uncle
Kothi kothi kannu palaPecking and watching, many eyes
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaaThrow their hooks at her, yes indeed
Female
Paadha yeri saanja sembuLike a copper pot tilted on the path
Kaaviriyaa odaadhaaWon't the River Kaveri flow?
Mogam yeri serndha thembuWith strength gathered from rising desire
Kaadhaliya thaedaadhaaWon't it search for its lover?
Female
Paadha yeri saanja sembuLike a copper pot tilted on the path
Kaaviriyaa odaadhaaWon't the River Kaveri flow?
Mogam yeri serndha thembuWith strength gathered from rising desire
Kaadhaliya thaedaadhaaWon't it search for its lover?
Female
Ambaal erichu kaama dhevanumEven Kamadeva, burned by the Goddess
Vambu izhukkuraanPicks a flirtatious fight now
Anbaal anachu aasa kaattiEmbracing with affection, displaying desire
Alli koduthu bodha oottiGiving generously and feeding intoxication
Aattam pottu paattu paada inikkumDancing around and singing songs feels so sweet
Female
Othaiyila kanni ponnuWhen a virgin girl walks alone
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaaInto the village, my uncle
Kothi kothi kannu palaPecking and watching, many eyes
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaaThrow their hooks at her, yes indeed
Female
Aanum pennum serathaanaeFor man and woman to come together
Aandavano vazhi senjaanGod himself paved the way
Aasa melum yera thaanaeSo that desire would elevate further
Kovilila sela senjaanHe sculpted erotic statues in temples
Female
Aanum pennum serathaanaeFor man and woman to come together
Aandavano vazhi senjaanGod himself paved the way
Aasa melum yera thaanaeSo that desire would elevate further
Kovilila sela senjaanHe sculpted erotic statues in temples
Female
Kaalam marandhu kaadhal aasaiyaForgetting time, the desire for love
Kaatti kodukka vaaCome forward to reveal it
Sodi sera neram ennaWhat matters time to join as a pair?
Dhooram enna baaram ennaWhat matters distance, what matters burden?
Thookkam pochu yekkam aachu thudikkumSleep has vanished, longing has arrived and throbs
Female
Othaiyila kanni ponnuWhen a virgin girl walks alone
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaaInto the village, my uncle
Kothi kothi kannu palaPecking and watching, many eyes
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaaThrow their hooks at her, yes indeed
Palli araiyila porandhavaShe who was born for the bedchamber
Ullam muzhuvadhum thorandhavaShe who opened her entire heart
Female
Othaiyila kanni ponnuWhen a virgin girl walks alone
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaaInto the village, my uncle
Kothi kothi kannu palaPecking and watching, many eyes
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaaThrow their hooks at her, yes indeed
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaaLaala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaaLaala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the playful yet deep longing of a young woman walking through her village while captivating passersby. She reflects on youth, romantic attraction, and the natural urge of lovers to unite. Referencing divine creations, classical imagery of river streams, and temple sculptures, the lyrics normalize human intimacy as a divine design crafted by nature and god.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Othaiyila kanni ponnu / Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa

Repetition of initial vowel sounds in consecutive lines like 'Othaiyila' and 'Oorukkulla'.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Paadha yeri saanja sembu / Kaaviriyaa odaadhaa

Comparing the overflowing romantic longing to a tilted copper pot letting the Kaveri river flow.

Anaphora / Refrain

Othaiyila kanni ponnu / Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa

Repetition of the chorus lines throughout the song to reinforce the central theme of a young maiden drawing attention.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Karimedu Karuvayan' (1985) is a rural Tamil drama film featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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