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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raappodhu Pooppookka

From Vacha Kuri Thappathu · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vacha Kuri Thappathu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raappothu poopookkaNighttime is for flowers to bloom,
Kaampodu kaai kaaikkaFor unripened fruit to yield on the stem,
Vaa….mama vaa vaa….Come... uncle, come, come...
Medhuvaa pazhukkumIt ripens slowly,
Pazhuththaa inikkum….vaa…aa…Once ripened, it is sweet... come... ah...
Female
Raappothu poopookkaNighttime is for flowers to bloom,
Kaampodu kaai kaaikkaFor unripened fruit to yield on the stem,
Vaa….mama vaa vaa….Come... uncle, come, come...
Medhuvaa pazhukkumIt ripens slowly,
Pazhuththaa inikkum….vaa…aa…Once ripened, it is sweet... come... ah...
Female
Enakkoru aalu unaivida yaaruWho else is there for me besides you?
Kedachchaa naan vidamaattaenIf I get you, I will never let go,
Pudikkaatti thodamaattaenIf you don't like it, I won't touch.
Female
Adichhcathu yogam adhukkindha thegamGood fortune has struck, and so has this body,
Inimaelthaan vilaiyaattuThe playful game begins only from now on,
Sarithaannu thalaiyaattuNod your head saying 'yes'.
Female
Unmalethaanae nottam pottuFixing my sights only on you,
Ullae yaenguthuMy heart longs inside,
Unmalethaanae nottam pottuFixing my sights only on you,
Ullae yaenguthuMy heart longs inside.
Thottaa pothum naanthaan naanthanJust a touch is enough, I am indeed,
Thaenthaan vaa mamaPure honey, come uncle.
Female
Raappothu……hahhaaNighttime... haha,
Poopookka……hahhaaFlowers bloom... haha,
Kaampodu…..haehaehOn the stem... hehe,
Kaai kaaikka vaa….mama vaa vaa….Unripened fruit yields, come... uncle come come...
Medhuvaa pazhukkumIt ripens slowly,
Pazhuththaa inikkum….vaa…aa…Once ripened, it is sweet... come... ah...
Female
Arupaththi naalu kalaigalai keluAsk about the sixty-four classical arts,
iruttodu padippaenaeI will study them in the dark,
Vidinjaakkaa mudippanaeBy dawn, I will master them.
Miruthangam naanthaan vaasikka neethaanI am the mridangam drum, and you are the player,
Madi maelae varum paaruLook at it coming onto your lap,
Medhuvaaga shuruthi saeruGently tune the pitch (shuruthi).
Female
Thannaalthaanae thaalam raagam ingae saeranumNaturally, rhythm and melody should unite here,
Thannaalthaanae thaalam raagam ingae saeranumNaturally, rhythm and melody should unite here,
Thanjavur-ru melam ketkum kaalam vaa mamaThe time to hear the wedding music of Thanjavur has come, come uncle.
Female
Raappothu…..haeiNighttime... hey,
Poopookka……haangFlowers bloom... haang,
Kaampodu…..aanghOn the stem... aangh,
Kaai kaaikka…..hhaaUnripened fruit yields... haha,
Vaa….mama vaa vaa….Come... uncle come come...
Medhuvaa pazhukkumIt ripens slowly,
Pazhuththaa inikkum….vaa…aa…Once ripened, it is sweet... come... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a playful and romantic seductive track where the female protagonist invites her beloved with rich botanical and musical metaphors. She uses the blooming of flowers at night and the slow ripening of fruit to symbolize growing passion and emotional maturity. The lyrics blend playful banter with romantic desire, promising a deep connection that unfolds like fine music. In the second verse, she references the classical 64 arts ('Arupaththi naalu kalaigal') and musical instruments like the Mridangam to convey harmony, rhythm, and unison between lovers. She eagerly anticipates a blissful union, culminating in references to auspicious wedding celebrations ('Thanjavur melam').

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Miruthangam naanthaan vaasikka neethaan

The speaker compares herself to a Mridangam instrument and her partner to the player, symbolizing harmony and rhythm in love.

Emona / Rhyme (Ethirai)

Kedachchaa naan vidamaattaen / Pudikkaatti thodamaattaen

Use of matching second-letter consonant sounds across lines (e.g., 'Kedachchaa' and 'Pudikkaatti').

Allegory (Ullurai)

Kaampodu kaai kaaikka ... Medhuvaa pazhukkum Pazhuththaa inikkum

Ripening fruit on a stem represents the natural progression and sweet maturation of intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali is renowned for integrating classical musical terminology (shuruthi, thaalam, raagam, melam) and traditional art concepts (64 kalaigal) into sensual, catchy folk-pop songs, making the romantic dialogue both poetic and rhythmically dynamic.

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