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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paappa Roopa Dhilruba

From Pooncholai · 1997

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Yugendran, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Premgi Amaren
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pooncholai1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oh yeah…come onOh yeah... come on
Male
En raasi kanni raasiMy zodiac sign is Virgo
O my shaaliniO my Shalini
Alsa mall pakkam vandhaa kettukkoIf you come near Alsa Mall, listen to me
Male
O jansi konjam yosiO Jhansi, think a little
Park beachnnuParks and beaches...
Suthaadha idangala therinjukkoKnow the places where you shouldn't wander
Male
Pallavan busukkul teen ageTeenagers inside the Pallavan bus
Ovvonnum pudhu ragam paathukkoEach one is a new variety, look at them
Okkaara idam illa maeyudhuThere is no seat to sit, so everyone is hanging on
Conductor seat irukku pudichukkoThe conductor seat is free, grab it!
Male
…………………………......................
Male
Queen marys stella marysQueen Mary's, Stella Maris
Kaaval nippamaaShall we stand guard there?
Ethiraj pakkam ippa povamaaShall we go towards Ethiraj now?
Male
Paavaada dhaavaniyaSkirt and half-saree
Paakka porammaWe are going to see them, lady
Aal paadhi aadai paadhi jorammaaHalf person, half attire, it looks so stylish
Male
Ice cream parlourThe ice cream parlour
Ippa soodaachuHas become hot now
Pen ullam pola enna uruthuraaWhy are you troubling me like a woman's mind?
Strawberry pola kannam sevandhaachuCheeks turned red like a strawberry
Billoda barer varaan vidu joottuThe waiter is coming with the bill, let's run!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the vibrant 1990s youth and college culture in Chennai (Madras). It humorously details urban teenager life, referencing iconic local hotspots like Alsa Mall, Pallavan transport buses, beaches, and prominent women's colleges like Queen Mary's, Stella Maris, and Ethiraj. The lyrics reflect carefree romantic banter, local slang, and the energetic lifestyle of young men exploring the city.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Strawberry pola kannam sevandhaachu

Compares the reddening cheeks to a strawberry ('Strawberry pola kannam').

Proverbial Rhyme / Idiom

Aal paadhi aadai paadhi jorammaa

Uses the famous Tamil proverb 'Aal paadhi aadai paadhi' (Dress makes half the person) for rhythmic effect.

Rhyme (Emonai / Iyaibu)

Queen marys stella marys

Internal and end-rhyme scheme combining English names ('Queen marys stella marys').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song famously celebrates 1990s Chennai youth culture by explicitly naming real-world hotspots, including Alsa Mall (one of Chennai's earliest shopping malls) and major women's colleges in the city.

Keep listening

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