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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Purushan Veettil

From Adhikari · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Swarnalatha
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Adhikari1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Podhigai malaiyil porandhu valarndhaBorn and brought up in the Podhigai hills
Sandhana thendralukku nallaFor the sweet sandal breeze, a good groom
Madurai nagaril aavani veedhiyilIn the city of Madurai, on Aavani street
Maappillai parthirukkuHas been found and chosen
Male
Enga kudumba pokkishamaeOh treasure of our family
Kooda porandha poocharamaeOh garland of flowers born together with me
Oru maalaiyum melamumOnce a garland and drums arrive
Vandhadhum pogumoWill the memories of your brother fade away?
Annanin gnyabagame……Memories of your elder brother...
Male
Purushan veettil pugundha naeramThe moment you enter your husband's home
Porandha veedu marandhu pogumYou will forget the house you were born in
Thaanae thaanaeOh my dear self
Male
Un arasan paechu inikkum bodhuWhen your king's words sound sweet
Annan paechu edupadathuYour brother's words won't hold weight anymore
Maanae maanaeOh dear like a deer
Male
Adi uthami rathinamaeHey precious gem of virtue
Naan sonnadhu sathiyamaeWhat I said is the absolute truth
Idhai ethanai veedugalilIn how many households
Naan paarkkiren nithiyamaeDo I see this every single day!
Male
Purushan veettilIn the husband's house...
Purushan veettil pugundha naeramThe moment you enter your husband's home
Porandha veedu marandhu pogumYou will forget the house you were born in
Thaanae thaanaeOh my dear self
Female
Meenaatchi naan thaanI am Goddess Meenakshi myself
Maelam kottum naal thaanOn the day the drums play for the wedding
Sokkanukku maman pottaanooWill uncle arrange a groom like Sundareswarar?
Annaachi indha annaiyagamaeDear brother, in this loving home of ours
Vechiruppen paasam ennaalumI will hold love forever and ever
Male
Indha veeraappellaamAll these grand boasts of yours
Thaali yerum varaiAre only until the sacred thread (thaali) is tied
Maaman vandhaachunnaaOnce the groom arrives on the scene
Maari pogum kadhaiThe entire story will turn upside down!
Indha annana kandathumUpon seeing this brother
Yaarunnu kettidavae…hahaWill you ask 'Who is he?'... haha
Male
Purushan veettilIn the husband's house...
Female :Purushan veettil pugundha podhumFemale: Even after entering the husband's house
Porandha veettai marappadhedhuHow could I ever forget the house of my birth?
Naanae naanaeIt is me, indeed me
Female
En arasan paechu inikkum bodhumEven when my king's words sound sweet
Annan paechu kasanthidaathuMy brother's words will never turn bitter
Thaenae thaenaeOh sweet like honey
Female
Indha uthama thangachithaanThis virtuous younger sister
Iva eppodhum un katchi thaanShe is always on your side only
Ennai kannena kathirukkumAnd this brother who protects me like his own eyes
Indha annanum en katchi thaanHe too is forever on my side
Female
Purushan veettilIn the husband's house...
Male :Purushan veettil pugundha naeramMale: The moment you enter your husband's home
Porandha veedu marandhu pogumYou will forget the house you were born in
Thaanae thaanaeOh my dear self
Female
Sammadhan pesa singakutty polaeTo agree to marriage, like a lion cub
Pillai pekka poren naanthaaneI am going to give birth to a child myself
En magana paathu un magalum yengaSeeing my son, your daughter will yearn for him
Ponnu thara porae needhaaneAnd you will give your girl to him in marriage, won't you?
Male
Adi raasathiyae niraiya seer ketpiyaeHey princess, you will demand a huge dowry
Scooter motorunnuAsking for scooters and motorbikes
Rombha edhirpaarpiyaeYou will have high expectations
Adhu illaatti sammadhamAnd if that is not given, you'll say
Venaannu solluviyae haang'I don't agree to this alliance!', right?
Male
Purushan veettilIn the husband's house...
Female :Purushan veettil pugundha podhumFemale: Even after entering the husband's house
Porandha veettai marappadhedhuHow could I ever forget the house of my birth?
Naanae naanaeIt is me, indeed me
Female
En arasan paechu inikkum bodhumEven when my king's words sound sweet
Annan paechu kasanthidaathuMy brother's words will never turn bitter
Thaenae thaenaeOh sweet like honey
Male
Un arasan paechu inikkum bodhuWhen your king's words sound sweet
Annan paechu edupadathuYour brother's words won't hold weight anymore
Maanae maanaeOh dear like a deer
Female
Indha uthama thangachithaanThis virtuous younger sister
Iva eppodhum un katchi thaanShe is always on your side only
Ennai kannena kathirukkumAnd this brother who protects me like his own eyes
Indha annanum en katchi thaanHe too is forever on my side
Female
Purushan veettilIn the husband's house...
Male :Haan purushan veettil pugundha naeramMale: Yes, the moment you enter your husband's home
Porandha veedu marandhu pogumYou will forget the house you were born in
Thaanae thaanaeOh my dear self
Female
En arasan paechu inikkum bodhumEven when my king's words sound sweet
Annan paechu kasanthidaathuMy brother's words will never turn bitter
Thaenae thaenaeOh sweet like honey

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and affectionate duet from the 1991 film 'Adhikari' features a banter between an elder brother and his younger sister regarding her impending marriage and the bond they share. The brother playfully teases his sister, teasing that once she gets married and enters her husband's home, she will forget her maternal home and her brother's advice will no longer matter to her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagim)

Sandhana thendralukku nalla

Comparing the sister to 'Sandhana thendral' (sandalwood breeze) and 'poocharam' (flower garland) to highlight her innocence and value to the family.

Alliteration (Monai)

Purushan veettil pugundha naeram / Porandha veedu marandhu pogum

Repetition of starting consonant sound 'P' in 'Purushan' and 'Porandha'.

Rhyme (Edhugai)

Adi uthami rathinamae / Naan sonnadhu sathiyamae

Matching second consonant 'th' in 'uthami' and 'sathiyamae'.

Cultural/Mythological Allusion

Meenaatchi naan thaan / Maelam kottum naal thaan / Sokkanukku maman pottaanoo

Alluding to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sokkanathar (Sundareswarar) of Madurai to signify an ideal holy matrimony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Adhikari' (1991) stars Arjun Sarja and Gautami, with music composed by Gangai Amaran. Vaali's lyrics beautifully capture traditional South Indian sibling banter regarding marriage, dowry customs, and familial ties with lighthearted humor.

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