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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Piththam Theliya Marunthondru

From Amuthavalli · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Amuthavalli1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enna idhu pithu kondavar polWhat is this, like someone who is mad?
Male
Pitham theliya marunthondru irukkudhuThere is a medicine to cure this madness,
Pennae un kannukullaeOh maiden, inside your eyes!
Pitham theliya marunthondru irukkudhuThere is a medicine to cure this madness,
Pennae un kannukullaeOh maiden, inside your eyes!
Matra marundhugal …aaaa..Even if other medicines... ahhh...
Matra marundhugal thindraalumaeEven if other medicines are consumed,
Kaadhal vallae vallae vallaeLove will not go away, my dear!
Kannae pitham theliya marunthondru irukkudhuMy dear, there is a medicine to cure this madness,
Pennae un kannukullae …le ..leleleOh maiden, inside your eyes... le... lelele
Female
Pachai kuzhandhai maadhiriLike an innocent newborn child,
Male
Kaayadha kaanagathae nindrulavum kaarigaiyaeOh maiden strolling in the evergreen forest,
Kaayadha kaanagathae nindrulavum kaarigaiyaeOh maiden strolling in the evergreen forest,
Meiyaadha maanum vara kandadhundoodiiHave you seen an un-grazed deer approaching, my friend?
Maanae kandadhundoodiOh deer-like lady, have you seen it, my friend?
Thaenae kandadhundoodiOh honey-like lady, have you seen it, my friend?
Female
Nandraaga irukkirathuThat sounds very pleasant!
Idhenna sangeethamoWhat kind of music is this?
Male
Naadha sangeetha ponmani mandappamA golden gem-studded pavilion of musical harmony,
Naayagiyae namakku thani mandappamOh heroine, a private pavilion just for us!
Gyaana vaeli kannae gyaana vaeliOh fence of wisdom, my dear fence of wisdom,
En naayagiyae unakku enna kaeliMy heroine, what doubt or question can there be for you?
Gyaana vaeliFence of wisdom!
Female
Podhum podhumEnough, enough!
Aasaikku oru ellai unduThere is a limit to desire!
Male
Aasai vechen unmela naanI fell in love with you,
Aadi poi aavani maasamAs the month of Aadi passed and Aavani arrived,
Aadi poi aavani maasamAs the month of Aadi passed and Aavani arrived,
Aalai mayakkudhu thaavani veshamHer half-saree attire mesmerizes the mind!
Aasai vechen kannae aasai vechenI placed my desire on you, my dear, I desired you!
Male
Hey sittaan sittaan kuruvi sinukku thaanHey, just like the playful chirping of a sprightly sparrow,
Indha chinna ponnu kaathu mela kunukku thaanLook at the ear ornament swinging on this young girl's ear!
Sittaan sittaan kuruvi sinukku thaanHey, just like the playful chirping of a sprightly sparrow,
Indha chinna ponnu kaathu mela kunukku thaanLook at the ear ornament swinging on this young girl's ear!
Adi thillalangadi kattukullaeOh, inside the wild trap of clever playful tricks,
Driyoo langadi maatikittaaShe got caught in the rhythm!
Sittaan hei hei sittaanSprightly sparrow, hey hey sprightly sparrow!
Sittaan sittaan kuruvi sinukku thaanThe playful chirping of a sprightly sparrow,
Indha chinna ponnu chinna ponnu chinna ponnuThis young girl, young girl, young girl!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Amuthavalli (1959) is a playful musical exchange expressing romantic fascination, tease, and devotion. The protagonist dramatically compares love to a form of divine madness or intoxicating fever, claiming that the only cure lies in the eyes of his beloved. He weaves classical imagery, addressing her as a deer roaming in an evergreen forest and praising her beauty in a golden pavilion of melody. As the tempo builds, the song shifts into energetic folk rhythms, teasingly describing her traditional half-saree, ear ornaments, and bird-like grace, expressing how completely her charm has captivated his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile / Metaphorical Address)

Maanae kandadhundoodi / Thaenae kandadhundoodi

Addressing the beloved as 'Maanae' (deer) and 'Thaenae' (honey), comparing her grace and sweetness to nature.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Hey sittaan sittaan kuruvi sinukku thaan

Repetition of the 'S' sound across words ('sittaan', 'sinukku') to create a rhythmic, bird-like musical effect.

Anaphora / Repetition (Erattai Kilavi / Sorkal Thirumpudhal)

Aadi poi aavani maasam / Aalai mayakkudhu thaavani vesham

Repetition of words like 'Aadi poi aavani maasam' and 'sittaan sittaan' to build rhythmic tempo and playful emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the renowned duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, 'Amuthavalli' (1959) features T. R. Mahalingam, known for his high-pitched classical vocal range. The song uniquely transitions from carnatic-style theatrical dynamics into energetic folk dance rhythms.

Keep listening

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