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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ottu Mambazhathai Pole

From Naan Valartha Thangai · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
S. C. Krishnan, Jikki
Music director
Pondiyala Srinivasan
Details
Naan Valartha Thangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ottu mambalathai polaeLike a grafted mango fruit,
Ullam rendum serndhaalaeIf two hearts unite as one,
Sittu polavae parandhu ooduvomWe will fly around like little sparrows,
Namm istam poale theemthadakka poduvomAnd dance rhythmically to our heart's content.
Male
Ottu mambalathai polaeLike a grafted mango fruit,
Ullam rendum serndhaalaeIf two hearts unite as one,
Sittu polavae parandhu ooduvomWe will fly around like little sparrows,
Namm istam poale theemthadakka poduvomAnd dance rhythmically to our heart's content.
Female
Mathiyaana velaiyil sellalaamaShall we go during the afternoon hours?
Maamarthu solaiyilae thullalaamaShall we frolic in the shady mango grove?
Male :Pathu naala thokkamillae valliraaniMale: I haven't slept for ten days, my powerful queen,
Un bhakthan melae paanjidaathae alliraaniDon't pounce on your devotee, my proud queen Alli!
Female
Ottu mambalathai polaeLike a grafted mango fruit,
Ullam rendum serndhaalaeIf two hearts unite as one,
Male :Sittu polavae parandhu ooduvomMale: We will fly around like little sparrows,
Namm istam poale theemthadakka poduvomAnd dance rhythmically to our heart's content.
Male
Kanni pennai kannadichu kaattalaamaCan you entice a young maiden merely by winking?
Mei kaadhalaiyum siraiyil vechu poottalaamaCan true love ever be locked up in a prison?
Female :Anbu muthi aasaiyaalaeFemale: Love ripened into deep desire,
Aasai muthi kaadhalaalaeAnd desire matured into everlasting love,
Aalukkulla pottutiyae machaanYou trapped me completely inside your heart, my dear!
Male
Ottu mambalathai polaeLike a grafted mango fruit,
Ullam rendum serndhaalaeIf two hearts unite as one,
Female :Sittu polavae parandhu ooduvomFemale: We will fly around like little sparrows,
Namm istam poale theemthadakka poduvomAnd dance rhythmically to our heart's content.
Male
Rasi palan kettuvittu raavukaalam paathukittuChecking the horoscope predictions and observing auspicious times,
Thaali poda vandhirukken kulla thaaraI have come to tie the sacred thread, my short sweetheart!
Female :Kannaana maamaramae nee saatchiFemale: O precious mango tree, stand as our witness,
Enga kalyaana vishyamum mudinju pochuOur marriage arrangement has been finalized successfully!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from the 1958 Tamil film 'Naan Valartha Thangai' depicts two lovers engaging in romantic banter. They compare their bonding to a grafted mango ('Ottu Mambalam'), symbolizing sweet togetherness. The couple expresses their joyful dream of roaming freely like birds, dancing without care, and taking their love towards matrimony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Ottu mambalathai polae

Compares the sweet, inseparable union of two lovers' hearts to a grafted mango fruit ('Ottu mambalathai polae').

Upamai (Simile)

Sittu polavae parandhu ooduvom

Compares their joyful freedom and movement to sparrows flying in the sky ('Sittu polavae').

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mathiyaana velaiyil sellalaama / Maamarthu solaiyilae thullalaama

The second letter 'th' rhymes between 'Mathiyaana' and 'Maamarthu'.

Personification / Nature Metaphor

Kannaana maamaramae nee saatchi

Addressing the mango tree as a living witness ('saatchi') to their wedding.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and set to music by Pondiyala Srinivasan, 'Ottu Mambalathai Polae' remains a classic early Tamil cinema folk-pop duet. The song relies heavily on rhythmic visual wordplay and traditional rural courting tropes.

Keep listening

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