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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poovo Malarnthirukku Kaayo

From Manthoppu Kiliye · 1979

Lyricist
M. A. Kaja
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Manthoppu Kiliye1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovo malarnthirukku kaayoo kaninjirukkuHas the flower bloomed, or has the fruit ripened?
Ponnae innum enna thayakkamGolden girl, why is there still hesitation?
Female :Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukkuFemale: A thousand desires lie in my heart
Anaithidum sondham endrum irukkuThe embrace of our relation is always there
Avasara padalaama aa aa aa aa aa aaBut should we rush into it?
Male
Poovo malarnthirukku kaayoo kaninjirukkuHas the flower bloomed, or has the fruit ripened?
Ponnae innum enna thayakkamGolden girl, why is there still hesitation?
Female :Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukkuFemale: A thousand desires lie in my heart
Anaithidum sondham endrum irukkuThe embrace of our relation is always there
Avasara padalaama haa aa aa aa …But should we rush into it?
Male
Thendral varum neram thaen malargal vaazhumWhen the gentle breeze arrives, honeyed flowers thrive
Devi unai paakkum vaanilavum vaazhthumThe moon in the sky watching you, my goddess, will bless us
Thendral varum neram thaen malargal vaazhumWhen the gentle breeze arrives, honeyed flowers thrive
Devi unai paakkum vaanilavum vaazhthumThe moon in the sky watching you, my goddess, will bless us
Female
Munnalae poven pinnalae vaayenI will walk ahead, come behind me
Kannalae thaaren kannalae paarenI offer with my eyes, look with your eyes
Male
Dindukkallu vaazhaiyila adha virichaaSpreading a banana leaf from Dindigul
Thinam thinam suvai ulla saapaaduServes delicious food every single day
Female :Kondavanin manam virumbhum pudhu virundhuFemale: A new feast that pleases the husband's heart
Thogai ival tharuvadhu perumpaaduFor this peacock-like girl to give it is a grand endeavor
Male
PoovoIs it a flower?
Female :MalarnthirukkuFemale: It has bloomed
Male :KaayooMale: Or is it an unripe fruit?
Female :KaninjirukkuFemale: It has ripened
Male :Ponnae innum enna thayakkamMale: Golden girl, why is there still hesitation?
Female :Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukkuFemale: A thousand desires lie in my heart
Male :Anaithidum sondham endrum irukkuMale: The relation to embrace is always there
Female :Avasara padalaama haa aa aa aa …Female: But should we rush into it?
Male
Paathupoo paathupoo chinna idai nadunguthuWatch out, watch out, her slender waist trembles
Paakkum bothu kannukkullae ennam ellaam vilangudhuLooking at it, all thoughts become clear within the eyes
Paathupoo paathupoo chinna idai nadunguthuWatch out, watch out, her slender waist trembles
Paakkum bothu kannukkullae ennam ellaam vilangudhuLooking at it, all thoughts become clear within the eyes
Asaigira asaivilae aala serthu izhukuthuIn every gentle sway, it pulls a person closer
Angamellam yedho oru aasai vandhu mayakkuthuA strange intoxicating desire enters every limb
Female
Kettukoo kettukoo en manasu sirikkuthuListen, listen, my heart laughs
Kaeli seiyum aalai kandu ennennamoo ninaikkuthuSeeing the person teasing me, my mind thinks all sorts of things
Kettukoo kettukoo en manasu sirikkuthuListen, listen, my heart laughs
Kaeli seiyum aalai kandu ennennamoo ninaikkuthuSeeing the person teasing me, my mind thinks all sorts of things
Aasaigal manasilae alai modhi kidakkuthuDesires crash like waves within the mind
Achamendra penmai gunam munnae vandhu thadukkuthuYet feminine shyness stands ahead and stops me
Naanoru pennallavaaAm I not a woman, after all?
Female
PoovoIs it a flower?
Male :MalarnthirukkuMale: It has bloomed
Female :KaayooFemale: Or an unripe fruit?
Male :KaninjirukkuMale: It has ripened
Ponnae innum enna thayakkamGolden girl, why is there still hesitation?
Female :Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukkuFemale: A thousand desires lie in my heart
Male :Anaithidum sondham endrum irukkuMale: The relation to embrace is always there
Female :Avasara padalaama haa aa aa aa …Female: But should we rush into it?
Male
Aadai tharum kaaval aasai varum kaalamClothing provides protection, and this is the season when desire arrives
Devi mugam kaana thedum iru vizhigalTwo eyes search to behold the goddess's face
Aadai tharum kaaval aasai varum kaalamClothing provides protection, and this is the season when desire arrives
Devi mugam kaana thedum iru vizhigalTwo eyes search to behold the goddess's face
Female
Ambigai sirithaal aayiram sugamumIf the Goddess smiles, a thousand pleasures
Aruginil varumae aanandham tharumaeWill draw near and bestow immense bliss
Male
Arthajaama poosaiyilae silaiyazhaguIn midnight worship, the beauty of the idol
Athanaiyum oli sindhum kaatchigalooAre those scenes shedding divine radiant light?
Female :Archagarin kai vannam edhu variyilFemale: How far will the priest's artistic hand reach
Alangaaram abhishegam seithidumoo…In performing adornment and sacred bathing?
Male
Poovo malarnthirukku kaayoo kaninjirukkuHas the flower bloomed, or has the fruit ripened?
Ponnae innum enna thayakkamGolden girl, why is there still hesitation?
Female :Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukkuFemale: A thousand desires lie in my heart
Anaithidum sondham endrum irukkuThe embrace of our relation is always there
Avasara padalaama haa aa aa aa …But should we rush into it?
Male
HaanHaan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet portrays two lovers engaged in a coy and affectionate dialogue. The hero coaxingly asks why his beloved hesitates, using metaphors of blooming flowers and ripening fruits to suggest that their love and physical maturity are ready for fulfillment. In response, the heroine admits her deep love and desire, yet playfully advocates for patience, invoking traditional feminine modesty (acham) and restraint. Throughout the song, lyrical imagery ranges from traditional hospitality metaphors like serving a feast on Dindigul banana leaves to sacred erotic analogies comparing romantic intimacy to midnight temple rituals ('arthajaama poosai') and ritual adornments performed by a priest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagatu)

Poovo malarnthirukku kaayoo kaninjirukku

Compares readiness for romance to a flower blooming ('poovo malarnthirukku') and fruit ripening ('kaayoo kaninjirukku').

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Moonaai)

Aasaigal aayiram nenjil irukku

Repetition of the vowel sound 'A' at the beginning of consecutive lines ('Aasaigal', 'Anaithidum', 'Avasara').

Sacred Allegory / Spiritual Metaphor

Arthajaama poosaiyilae silaiyazhagu

Metaphorically compares intimate lovemaking to midnight temple worship rituals ('arthajaama poosai') and ritual bathing ('abhishegam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the musical duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by M.A. Kaja, this duet rendered by Malaysia Vasudevan and Vani Jayaram showcases the vibrant folk-pop romantic style characteristic of Tamil cinema in the late 1970s.

Keep listening

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