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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Puthu Maappillaikku

From Apoorva Sagodharargal · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Apoorva Sagodharargal1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
{Babbabbaa babbabbarae{Babbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Babbabbaa babbabbaraeBabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Babbabbaa babbabbaraeBabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Babbabbaa babbabbarae} (3)Babbabbaa babbabbarae} (3) (Chorus vocalization repeat)
Babbabbaa babbabbaraeBabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Babbabbaa babbabbaraeBabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Male
{Pudhu maappillaikku{For the new groom
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Nalla yogamadaaMale: It is great good fortune, my friend!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
Andha manamagal dhaanIt is all because that bride
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Vandha neramadaaMale: Arrived at an auspicious time, my friend!
Chorus :Babbabbarae} (2)Chorus: Babbabbarae} (2)
Male
Ponnu oviyam polThe girl is like a fine painting,
Iruppaa iruppaaShe will be, she will be!
Kulir odaiyai polLike a cool stream,
Nadappaa nadappaaShe will walk, she will walk!
Kalagalappaa ava sirippaaCheerfully, her laughter will ring out,
KadhavadippaaKnocking on doors!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
Pudhu maappillaikkuFor the new groom,
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Nalla yogamadaaMale: It is great good fortune, my friend!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
Andha manamagal dhaanIt is all because that bride
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Vandha neramadaaMale: Arrived at an auspicious time, my friend!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Chorus
{Babbabbaa babbabbarae{Babbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
babbabbaa babbabbaraebabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
Babbabbaa babbabbaraeBabbabbaa babbabbarae (Chorus vocalization)
babbabbaa babbabbarae} (2)babbabbaa babbabbarae} (2) (Chorus vocalization repeat)
Male
Singham puli koodaEven lions and tigers
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Jodi onnu thedaMale: Search for a mate,
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
ThannandhaniyaagaAll by myself,
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Naanum ingu vaadaMale: Should I wither away here?
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
Vandhaal andha thogaidhaanIf that peacock-like maiden arrives,
Thandhaaloru aasaidhaanGiving rise to a sweet desire,
Rababbabba rabbabbaRababbabba rabbabba (Vocalization)
Rubibbibi rubbibbiRubibbibi rubbibbi (Vocalization)
Male
Ennaalum naan saan pillaidhaanThough I am a short span-sized man physically,
Aanaalum orr aan pillaidhaanNevertheless, I am a true manly man!
Ennodu pooththaen mullaidhaanA sweet jasmine flower bloomed with me,
Ullaasamae aadathaanTo dance in pure delight!
Male
Kaadhal modhiramThe ring of love,
Kaighalil pottavalThe one who slipped it onto her hands,
Avaldhaan yenakkenaShe alone was born for me,
PirandhaalaeBorn just for me!
Enna nenachchaa pariththavichaaThinking of me, she yearned and suffered,
ThudithudichaaHer heart throbbed with passion!
Male
Pudhu maappillaikkuFor the new groom,
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Nalla yogamadaaMale: It is great good fortune, my friend!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male
Andha manamagal dhaanIt is all because that bride
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Male :Vandha neramadaaMale: Arrived at an auspicious time, my friend!
Chorus :BabbabbaraeChorus: Babbabbarae
Female
Chinna vizhi meenuHer small eyes are like fish,
Chorus :BabbaraeChorus: Babbarae
Female :Sollum mozhi thaenuFemale: The words she speaks are sweet as honey,
Chorus :BabbaraeChorus: Babbarae
Female
Kanni oru maanuThe young maiden is like a deer,
Chorus :BabbaraeChorus: Babbarae
Female :Kaiyanaikka naanuFemale: And I am here to embrace her!
Chorus :BabbaraeChorus: Babbarae
Female
Kullamani neeyaadaYou are the precious dwarf jewel dancing,
Konjum kili un koodaAnd the lisping parrot companion is with you!
Male :Rababbabba rabbabbaMale: Rababbabba rabbabba (Vocalization)
Rubibbibi rubbibbiRubibbibi rubbibbi (Vocalization)
Male
Kalyaanamdhaan maasi maasamThe wedding will take place in the month of Maasi,
Naadhaswaram mela thaalamWith Nadaswaram pipes and beat of drums,
Vandhaachunga kaalam neramThe right time and moment have arrived!
Oorgolamaai pogathaanTo proceed in a grand procession,
Female
Maalai soodidaTo exchange flower garlands,
Maappillai aagidaTo become the rightful groom!
Unakkor thunadhaanA companion for you
KedachchaachuHas now been found!
Male
Ena nenachaa parithavichaaThinking of you, she yearned,
ThudithudichaaHer heart throbbed with passion!
Chorus :Ram bam bam bamChorus: Ram bam bam bam
Male
Pudhu maappillaikkuFor the new groom,
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male :Nalla yogamadaaMale: It is great good fortune, my friend!
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male
Andha manamagal dhaanIt is all because that bride
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male :Vandha neramadaaMale: Arrived at an auspicious time, my friend!
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male
Ponnu oviyam polThe girl is like a fine painting,
Iruppaa iruppaaShe will be, she will be!
Kulir odaiyai polLike a cool stream,
Nadappaa nadappaaShe will walk, she will walk!
Kalagalappaa ava sirippaaCheerfully, her laughter will ring out,
KadhavadippaaKnocking on doors!
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male
{Pudhu maappillaikku{For the new groom,
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male :Nalla yogamadaaMale: It is great good fortune, my friend!
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male
Andha manamagal dhaanIt is all because that bride
Chorus :RibbabbaraeChorus: Ribbabbarae
Male :Vandha neramadaaMale: Arrived at an auspicious time, my friend!
Chorus :Ribbabbarae} (2)Chorus: Ribbabbarae} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pudhu Maappillaikku is a joyous celebratory song from the iconic 1989 film Apoorva Sagodharargal. The protagonist Appu, a dwarf circus performer, dreams of finding love and getting married. His circus companions tease and celebrate with him, hailing his auspicious good fortune in securing the love of a beautiful bride. Despite his short physical stature, Appu proudly asserts his masculinity and dignity, expressing his longing for a soulmate who looks past physical differences. The lyrics combine playful gibberish scatting with poetic imagery describing the beauty and grace of the bride, comparing her to a painting, a cool stream, and a delicate flower. The song captures the jubilation of wedding preparations, complete with traditional instruments like Nadaswaram and drums, underlining themes of romantic hope, dignity, and acceptance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Ponnu oviyam pol / Kulir odaiyai pol

Compares the bride's visual beauty and graceful gait to a exquisite painting (oviyam) and a cool babbling stream (kulir odai).

Wordplay / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ennaalum naan saan pillaidhaan / Aanaalum orr aan pillaidhaan / Ennodu pooththaen mullaidhaan

Vaali uses rhyming word endings 'saan pillaidhaan', 'aan pillaidhaan', and 'mullaidhaan' to construct a witty contrast between physical height and inner masculine pride.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Chinna vizhi meenu / Sollum mozhi thaenu / Kanni oru maanu

Metaphorically describes her eyes as fish (vizhi meenu), her speech as honey (mozhi thaenu), and her youthful self as a deer (kanni oru maanu).

Scatting / Musical Onomatopoeia

Babbabbaa babbabbarae

Rhythmic gibberish sounds (babbabbarae, rabbabbabba) are used to simulate circus carnival vibes and brass band playfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali and vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam along with S. P. Sailaja. The film is famous for Kamal Haasan's ground-breaking performance as the dwarf Appu, accomplished without modern CGI by using specially designed footwear, dug-out trenches, and inventive camera angles.

Keep listening

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