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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Patteduthu Virikkava

From Unakkum Enakkum · 1972

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Unakkum Enakkum1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thavamaai thavamirunthuHaving performed penance after penance,
Thaazhampoo maeni nonthuHer body fragile like a screwpine flower in pain,
Thantha silai unnai thanthaShe who gave birth to a statue-like beauty like you,
Thaayaarai vaazhththukiraenI bless that mother.
Intha thaayaarai vaazhththukiraenI bless this mother.
Male
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Male
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Male
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Male
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Male
Adi sungidi selaiHey woman in the Sungudi saree,
Adi sungidi selai engaedu poraeHey woman in the Sungudi saree, where are you going?
Onnum kodukaamaWithout giving anything,
Adi dingiridippaa sangathiyelaaamHey woman, without finishing,
Solli mudikkaamaSaying all the details...
Unga padhamapa madhapagaga ririgari sasasathaYour musical notes: pa-dha-ma-pa ma-dha-pa-ga-ga ri-ri-ga-ri sa-sa-sa-tha...
Male
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Male
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Male
Katti magan kutti vayiruCan the little belly of a dear son
Pattini porukkumaaEndure starvation?
Iva puttipaalai oottivittaaIf she feeds bottle milk,
Odambu oththukummaaWill his body accept it?
Male
Thaaipaalthaan veenuminnu"I only want mother's milk,"
Keludaa kannu keluAsk her, my dear child, ask!
Thaaipaalthaan veenuminnu"I only want mother's milk,"
Keludaa kannu keluAsk her, my dear child, ask!
Ava thara maruththaaIf she refuses to give,
Ava thara maruththaa ivanidamaeIf she refuses to give, ask him
Ennaannu kelu….What the reason is...
Male
Adi sungidi selaiHey woman in the Sungudi saree,
Adi sungidi selai engaedu poraeHey woman in the Sungudi saree, where are you going?
Onnum kodukaamaWithout giving anything,
Adi dingiridippaa sangathiyelaaamHey woman, without finishing,
Solli mudikkaamaSaying all the details...
Male
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Male
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Male
Paattan poottan peru sollaYou who were born to carry forward
Poranthu vanthavaneThe name of ancestors and forefathers,
Intha palingu silaikku ammaaTo this marble statue, you gave
Pattam vaangi thanthavanaeThe title of mother!
Male
Vettu vachchaa malaiyumkoodaEven a mountain, if struck,
AsaiyumadaathaanaeWill move on its own!
Vettu vachchaa malaiyumkoodaEven a mountain, if struck,
AsaiyumadaathaanaeWill move on its own!
Iva aattamellaam mudivatheppoWhen will her antics come to an end,
Pazhani aandavaneOh Lord of Palani?
Male
Adi sungidi selaiHey woman in the Sungudi saree,
Adi sungidi selai engaedu poraeHey woman in the Sungudi saree, where are you going?
Onnum kodukaamaWithout giving anything,
Adi dingiridippaa sangathiyelaaamHey woman, without finishing,
Solli mudikkaamaSaying all the details...
Male
Patteduththu virikkavaaShall I spread out a silk cloth?
Panneerai thelikkavaaShall I sprinkle rose water?
Male
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?
Unna peththa ammaavukkuFor the mother who gave birth to you,
Ponnaadai porththavaaShall I drape a golden shawl?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lively song from the 1972 Tamil film Unakkum Enakkum expresses playful yet deeply affectionate feelings towards a young mother. Through energetic vocals by T. M. Soundararajan, the protagonist sarcastically offers royal honors like silk cloths and golden shawls to the child's mother while gently teasing her about her motherly responsibilities and reluctance to feed her child. The song blends theatrical wit, traditional cultural imagery, and folk rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaai)

Intha palingu silaikku ammaa

Comparing the mother to a sculpted marble statue (palingu silai) to highlight her pristine, structured beauty.

Alliteration / Anaaphora (Moonaai)

Patteduththu virikkavaa / Panneerai thelikkavaa

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound establishing a rhythmic cadence across consecutive lines.

Hyperbole (Uyarvunavarchi)

Vettu vachchaa malaiyumkooda Asaiyumadaathaanae

Exaggerating that even a solid mountain will shake on its own when struck.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song references 'Sungudi selai', which refers to the famous tie-and-dye cotton sarees traditional to Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Sung energetically by T.M. Soundararajan with music composed by V. Kumar, the track combines classical swara solfa syllables (Swaras) with folk rhythms.

Keep listening

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