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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pachaimalai Chaaralile

From Aayiram Kalathu Payir · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Aayiram Kalathu Payir1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pachai malai saaralilae…ae….ae….On the slopes of the green mountain...
Paravaikku naan kanni vachchaen….nn….nn..I set a trap for a bird...
Antha paravai vizhum kanniyilaeIn the trap where that bird falls...
Male
{Pattu Ponnu pattukittaa{The silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu SikkikkittaaThe sparrow-like girl got trapped,
Pattu Ponnu pattukittaaThe silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu Sikkikkittaa} (3)The sparrow-like girl got trapped} (3)
Female
Pattu ponnu pattuthunnu….oo….Seeing that the silky girl was caught...
Thotteduththu tholil vachchu….oo….ooHe lifted her up onto his shoulders...
Kattu malli poo mudichchuAdorned her hair with wild jasmine flowers...
Female
{Kattu kaalai sikkikkittaan{The untamed bull got trapped himself,
Thottu thaali kattikkittaanTouched her and tied the sacred thread,
Kattu kaalai sikkikkittaanThe untamed bull got trapped himself,
Thottu thaali kattikkittaan} (3)Touched her and tied the sacred thread} (3)
Male
Siththaadai aaduthae aththaanai thaeduthaeThe small silk skirt dances, searching for her beloved,
Siththaadai aaduthae aththaanai thaeduthaeThe small silk skirt dances, searching for her beloved,
Kattazhagu maeniyai thottu vilaiyaaduthaeTouching and playing with her beautiful, well-built body,
Kattazhagu maeniyai thottu vilaiyaaduthaeTouching and playing with her beautiful, well-built body,
Saththaana kadhal geetham paadugindrathae….ae…ae..Singing a rich song of love...
Un thanga idai thaalam pottu aadugindrathaeDancing in rhythm with your golden waist.
Male
Pattu Ponnu pattukittaaThe silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu SikkikkittaaThe sparrow-like girl got trapped.
Female
Ennamae maaruthae ennamo thonuthaeMy thoughts are changing, I feel something strange,
Ennamae maaruthae ennamo thonuthaeMy thoughts are changing, I feel something strange,
Chinna chinna poovilae thaenaaru paayuthaeA river of honey flows in the tiny flowers,
Chinna chinna poovilae thaenaaru paayuthaeA river of honey flows in the tiny flowers,
Theeraatha aasaiyinnum theeravillaiyae…ae…The insatiable desire hasn't been quenched yet...
Female
Kattu kaalai sikkikkittaanThe untamed bull got trapped himself,
Thottu thaali kattikkittaanTouched her and tied the sacred thread.
Male
Poopola udhattilae punnagai ponguthaeA smile overflows on lips soft as flowers,
Puththampudhu kannamae paththukkadhai pesuthaeThe brand new cheeks speak a thousand stories,
Vandaaga naanum indru maaravillaiyae…ae….I haven't turned into a beetle today...
Intha sendilae thaeneduththu paadavillaiyaeNor have I drunk honey from this blossom to sing.
Male
Pattu Ponnu pattukittaaThe silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu SikkikkittaaThe sparrow-like girl got trapped.
Female
Paadaatha paattellam paaduvom kaattilaeWe shall sing all the unsung songs in the forest,
Pesatha kiligal pol pesuvom koottilaeWe shall talk like silent parrots in our nest,
Aagaathu endru solvaar yaarumillaiyae…ae…There is no one here to say it shouldn't be done...
Intha aanantha bhoomiyilae kaaval illaiyaeThere is no guard in this land of bliss.
Male
{Pattu Ponnu pattukittaa{The silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu SikkikkittaaThe sparrow-like girl got trapped,
Female :Kattu kaalai sikkikkittaanFemale: The untamed bull got trapped himself,
Thottu thaali kattikkittaan} (2)Touched her and tied the sacred thread} (2)
Male
{Pattu Ponnu pattukittaa{The silky girl got caught,
Chittu ponnu Sikkikkittaa} (2)The sparrow-like girl got trapped} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pachai Malai Saaralilae from the 1963 film Aayiram Kalathu Payir is a joyful, pastoral romance lyricized by Kannadasan. Set in a lush mountain backdrop, the song uses playful folk metaphors of catching birds and taming wild bulls to symbolize courtship, mutual attraction, and marital union between two lovers. As the lovers sing of their newfound affection, the lyrics weave imagery of mountain slopes, wild blossoms, and streams of honey, reflecting the freedom and unbridled happiness of young love in nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagom)

Chittu ponnu Sikkikkittaa / Kattu kaalai sikkikkittaan

Compares the delicate, beautiful girl to a 'Pattu Ponnu' (silky girl) and 'Chittu ponnu' (sparrow girl), while describing the strong young man as a 'Kattu kaalai' (wild bull).

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirhai)

Pattu Ponnu pattukittaa / Chittu ponnu Sikkikkittaa

The second consonant sound 'tt' rhymes consistently across adjacent lines, creating a bouncy rhythmic tempo.

Hyperbole (Uruvagaimai)

Chinna chinna poovilae thaenaaru paayuthae

Exaggerates romantic intimacy by describing a river of honey flowing through tiny blossoms.

Did you know?

Trivia

The title 'Aayiram Kalathu Payir' refers to an ancient Tamil proverb describing marriage as a 'crop meant to last for a thousand years.' Kannadasan uses rural folk aesthetics and nature imagery to portray the innocent yet deep romantic bonding between the lead characters.

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