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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Otta Vandi Mavarasa

From En Kelvikku Enna Bathil · 1971

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Female
Ada aambalaikku aambala naanHey, I am tough enough to face any man,
Kadhai yaarugitta vanthu maattigittaLook who you got caught with in this story!
Nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaAre you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaYes, are you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan naa naa naa naa….aa….Haan naa naa naa naa....aa....
Female
Moongil mela sela katti vachchaalumEven if a saree is draped over a bamboo pole,
Munnae pinnae mella mella paappeegaYou men will still ogle it front and back slowly,
Moongil mela sela katti vachchaalumEven if a saree is draped over a bamboo pole,
Munnae pinnae mella mella paappeegaYou men will still ogle it front and back slowly,
Female
Pazhasu pudhusu ilasu sirisu perusu ellaamumOld, new, young, small, big - all of them,
Pazhasu pudhusu ilasu sirisu perusu ellaamumOld, new, young, small, big - all of them,
Valaichchu paakka nenaichcheegalaa ingaeDid you think you could corner and check them out here?
Vaangi poga vantheegalaaDid you come here expecting to take them away?
Female
Ada jilukkaa jilukkaa minar-u aiyyaaHey stylish, flashy gentleman sir,
Hae….kaiththalakkaa rasa paiyaaHey... clever young master,
Ada jilukkaa jilukkaa minar-u aiyyaaHey stylish, flashy gentleman sir,
Hae….kaiththalakkaa rasa paiyaaHey... clever young master,
Female
Padichcha padippu edhukku idhukku kiththaappuWhat is the use of your education if you carry such pride?
Pazhaiya kaala ponna paarungaLook at the traditional village woman,
Adhu paanjuthunnaa pulikku melungaIf she pounces, she is fiercer than a tiger,
Adhu paanjuthunnaa pulikku melungaIf she pounces, she is fiercer than a tiger,
Female
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Female
Ada aambalaikku aambala naanHey, I am tough enough to face any man,
Kadhai yaarugitta vanthu maattigittaLook who you got caught with in this story!
Nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaAre you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaYes, are you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan naa naa naa naa….aa….Haan naa naa naa naa....aa....
Female
Car-il vanthu ponna thottu paaththeegaYou arrived in a car and tried touching a girl,
Kaiyai pottu nella kuththu paarungaTry using your hands to husk paddy instead!
Car-il vanthu ponna thottu paaththeegaYou arrived in a car and tried touching a girl,
Kaiyai pottu nella kuththu paarungaTry using your hands to husk paddy instead!
Female
Iduppa valaichchu nadangaBend your waist and work,
Eduththu eduththu podungaPick up the heavy load and carry it,
Iduppa valaichchu nadangaBend your waist and work,
Eduththu eduththu podungaPick up the heavy load and carry it,
Odichchu paakka vaareegalaaAre you coming to test our strength?
Ini pozhachchu poga poreegalaaWill you even leave here alive now?
Female
Ingae ponnirukku yaezhettuThere are seven or eight girls here,
Kai pottathukku vaangi kattuFace the music for laying a hand!
Ingae ponnirukku yaezhettuThere are seven or eight girls here,
Kai pottathukku vaangi kattuFace the music for laying a hand!
Female
Nenachcha nenappa marangaForget whatever intentions you had,
Thirumpa nenakka koodaathuDon't even dare to think about it again,
Olakkai thotta kaiya paarungaLook at the hands that hold the heavy wooden pestle,
Aahaa odha vizhunthaa thaanga maatteengaAahaa, if you get beaten, you won't be able to stand it!
Female
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Otta vandi mavarasaaO single-chariot prince,
Naattu ponna paarththeegalaaHave you seen a village girl?
Female
Ada aambalaikku aambala naanHey, I am tough enough to face any man,
Kadhai yaarugitta vanthu maattigittaLook who you got caught with in this story!
Nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaAre you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan nalla poosa vaanga poreegalaaYes, are you going to get a thorough thrashing?
Haan naa naa naa naa….aa….Haan naa naa naa naa....aa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-style song is a direct warning to proud, predatory men who try to misbehave with village women. The singer playfully yet fiercely confronts an urban suitor who relies on his car, wealth, and education to disrespect local girls, reminding him that rural women are hard-working, physically strong, and fiercely independent.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Metaphor

Adhu paanjuthunnaa pulikku melunga

Comparing the sudden retaliation of a village woman to that of a leaping tiger ('pulikku melunga').

Iyaibu / Internal Rhyming

Pazhasu pudhusu ilasu sirisu perusu ellaamum

Extensive use of rhyming end-syllables '-su' (Pazhasu, pudhusu, ilasu, sirisu, perusu) to create a rhythmic, conversational folk effect.

Monai (Alliteration)

Moongil mela sela katti vachchaalum / Munnae pinnae mella mella paappeega

Repetition of the initial consonant 'M' sound across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track stands out for L. R. Eswari's signature bold vocal delivery, composed by the iconic duo/composer M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Muthulingam highlighting female empowerment in a traditional setting.

Keep listening

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