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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rajagopala Ongamma

From Sparisam · 1982

Lyricist
V. V. Subramaniyan
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, T. K. Kala
Music director
Ravi
Details
Sparisam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Rajagopala ongamma dosai vaathaalaRajagopala, did your mother bake a dosa?
Venugopala ongamma vennai thanthaalaVenugopala, did your mother give butter?
Female :SabashFemale: Bravo!
Female :Rajagopala ongamma dosai vaathaalaFemale: Rajagopala, did your mother bake a dosa?
Venugopala ongamma vennai thanthaalaVenugopala, did your mother give butter?
Female
Bothai yaerudha idhu pothavillaiyaaAre you feeling intoxicated, or is this not enough?
Male :Ada gundu saradha konjam mondu thariyaMale: Hey plump Saradha, will you ladle out a little for me?
Female :Bothai yaerudha idhu pothavillaiyaaFemale: Are you feeling intoxicated, or is this not enough?
Male :Ada gundu saradha konjam mondu thariyaMale: Hey plump Saradha, will you ladle out a little for me?
Chorus
Rajagopala ongamma dosai vaathaalaRajagopala, did your mother bake a dosa?
Venugopala ongamma vennai thanthaalaVenugopala, did your mother give butter?
Male
Raakodi vechikitu radha nadapaaRadha walks around adorned with a hair ornament (raakodi).
Rathiri en kanvuladhan vandhu siripaaAt night, she comes into my dream and smiles.
Raakodi vechikitu radha nadapaaRadha walks around adorned with a hair ornament (raakodi).
Rathiri en kanvuladhan vandhu siripaaAt night, she comes into my dream and smiles.
Uruvasiyum urrunathan okaanthu irupaaEven Urvashi sits sulking with a solemn face.
Konjam oothik kodutha oothik kuduthaIf you pour a little drink for her, just a little drink,
Orukuruvi pola parapaShe will fly around like a tiny bird.
Female
Oothi oothi malala ivan thaagam theeralaHe kept pouring and pouring, yet his thirst was not quenched.
Urupadiya sangathi rendu poda theriyalaHe does not even know how to play two proper musical notes.
Male :Oothi oothi malala ivan thaagam theeralaMale: He kept pouring and pouring, yet his thirst was not quenched.
Urupadiya sangathi rendu poda theriyalaHe does not even know how to play two proper musical notes.
Female
Raja vandhaachu mandhiri ennaachuThe King has arrived, what happened to the Minister?
Kuja thaniyila kulichu kulireduthaachuBathing in cold pot-water, he caught a shiver.
Srinivasannaa konjam sirichu pesannaaHey Srinivasan, speak with a smile!
Muthukarupanna konjam mogathai thirupunna…..Hey Muthukaruppan, turn your face a little...
Chorus
Srinivasannaa konjam sirichu pesannaaHey Srinivasan, speak with a smile!
Muthukarupanna konjam mogathai thirupunna…..Hey Muthukaruppan, turn your face a little...
Male
Jaadikule irukudhadi nalla sarakuGood quality liquor is inside the jar, girl!
Jaadayaga sonnalum puriyum unakuEven if I say it in subtle hints, you will understand.
Female :Dhaadi meesai molaikaatha ambi payalukuFemale: For a young boy who hasn't even grown a beard or mustache,
Ippa thalai kiruku vanthiruku dhirshty sodukkuA spell of madness has struck his head now; snap your fingers to ward off evil eyes!
Male
Thattaamalai suthudhadi thaana intha boomiThis earth spins by itself like a merry-go-round, girl.
Thalam poda vaadi silluku dhaavani katiya mamiCome keep the rhythm, aunty wearing a silk half-saree!
Thattaamalai suthudhadi thaana intha boomiThis earth spins by itself like a merry-go-round, girl.
Thalam poda vaadi silluku dhaavani katiya mamiCome keep the rhythm, aunty wearing a silk half-saree!
Female
Kottaaviku suruthi seruthu kudichu pakkurenI try drinking while matching the musical pitch to my yawn.
Ada muttap paiyan vaanathule pallam thonduranOh, this foolish boy is trying to dig a pit in the sky!
Male
Haei….haei….haeiiHey... hey... hey!
Male
Thaavi thaavi kuthichaalum tharaiya kaanondiEven if you leap and jump, look down at the ground, boy!
Thalaiku melae vaanam vandhu thadukala podiThe sky above your head is placing hurdles.
Aavikullae magudi satham anju thala paambuInside the soul is the sound of a snake charmer's pipe and a five-headed serpent.
Aavikullae magudi satham anju thala paambuInside the soul is the sound of a snake charmer's pipe and a five-headed serpent.
Aadikitte neliyudhadi analadikuthu moochuIt wriggles while dancing, and the breath spews scorching heat.
Chorus
Rajagopala ongamma dosai vaathaalaRajagopala, did your mother bake a dosa?
Venugopala ongamma vennai thanthaalaVenugopala, did your mother give butter?
Rajagopala ongamma dosai vaathaalaRajagopala, did your mother bake a dosa?
Venugopala ongamma vennai thanthaalaVenugopala, did your mother give butter?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and rhythmic folk-inspired song from the movie Sparisam (1982) features playful banter between characters expressing joy, lighthearted drunkenness, and teasing humor. Borrowing traditional nursery rhymes and deity references like Rajagopala and Venugopala, the characters indulge in satirical commentary on each other's behavior, intoxication, and antics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Oothi oothi malala ivan thaagam theerala

The word 'Oothi oothi' (pouring continuously) repeats to emphasize the act of drinking repeatedly.

Simile (Upamai)

Orukuruvi pola parapa

Comparing the female character's joyful state after drinking to a tiny bird flying freely ('Orukuruvi pola parapa').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Thattaamalai suthudhadi thaana intha boomi

Comparing the rotation of the Earth to a spinning top or merry-go-round ('Thattaamalai suthudhadi thaana intha boomi').

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Raakodi vechikitu radha nadapaa / Rathiri en kanvuladhan vandhu siripaa

Matching the second letter in consecutive words/phrases like 'Raakodi' and 'Rathiri'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track is composed by legendary music director Ravi (famous in Hindi cinema as Ravi Shankar Sharma), who briefly worked in Tamil cinema during the late 70s and early 80s, bringing a distinct melodic and rhythmic flair to songs like this.

Keep listening

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