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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rasamilladha Kannadi

From Kalyanikku Kalyanam · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kalyanikku Kalyanam
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
29 May 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mannadhi mannar ellaam
Mannai kavvum kaalathilae
Ada ennaang kaanum unallu
Ilamvettu vendirukku
Engappa..engappa…aaa…aa
Yei jaalra..otraa
Rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Haei rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Oorai adichuu ulaiyil potta
Oodhaari machaan ..oodhaari machaan
Oorai adichu ulaiyil potta
Oodhaari machaan
Unakku yendaa kudi kodukkura
Moolaiyum vechaan
Unakku yendaa kudi kodukkura
Moolaiyum vechaan
Indha soorapulikku yaaruthaan ippadi
Sokkaaiyum thechaan
Soorapulikku yaaruthaan ippadi
Sokkaaiyum thechaan
Unnai suttaalum paavamillae
Kottaapuli raaja
Unnai suttaalum paavamillae
Kottaapuli raaja
Hoii
Rasamillaadha kannadi
Chorus :Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Male :Haei rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Thaedhiyum kooda
Chinna ponnu venumaa
Indha thiruttu moonji melae edhuvum kannu podumaa
Huu nainaa huu neena huu nainaa hoo
Huu nainaa huu neena huu nainaa hoo
Thaedhiyum kooda
Chinna ponnu venumaa
Indha thiruttu moonji melae edhuvum kannu podumaa
Un saedhi yaavumae sandhiyilae sirikkaamal pogumaa
Un saedhi yaavumae sandhiyilae sirikkaamal pogumaa
Nee sirichi sirichi kazhuthai arutha paavam vidumada
Nee sirichi sirichi kazhuthai arutha paavam vidumada
Unnai summaa vidumaadaa
Haei
Male and Chorus :Haei
Rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Haei rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Odudhadaa pinnaadi
Haei rasamillaadha kannadi
Raaraa nainaa munnadi
In times when even great kings of kings
are forced to bite the dust,
look at the nerve of this fellow!
He still craves young and tender charms!
Oh boy... oh man... ah... ah!
Hey, strike the cymbals, keep the beat!
You mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Hey, you mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Your horse without any horseshoes
is now running backwards, man!
Your horse without any horseshoes
is now running backwards, man!
It is running backwards, man!
You mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
You robbed the whole town to fill your cooking pot,
you reckless rogue... you reckless rogue!
You robbed the whole town to fill your cooking pot,
you reckless rogue!
Why on earth did God give you
a brain that only ruins families?
Why on earth did God give you
a brain that only ruins families?
For this so-called fierce tiger,
who tailored such a fancy shirt?
For this so-called fierce tiger,
who tailored such a fancy shirt?
Even if someone shoots you down, it is no sin,
you fake, yawning tiger king!
Even if someone shoots you down, it is no sin,
you fake, yawning tiger king!
Hoy!
You mirror with no silver backing,
Chorus: Come forward, mister, step right up!
Male: Hey, you mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Even searching far and wide,
do you still want a young girl?
Would any woman even cast an eye on this thieving face?
Hoo naina, hoo naina, hoo naina ho!
Hoo naina, hoo naina, hoo naina ho!
Even searching far and wide,
do you still want a young girl?
Would any woman even cast an eye on this thieving face?
Won't the whole town mock your scandals in public streets?
Won't the whole town mock your scandals in public streets?
Will the sin of slitting throats with a smile ever spare you?
Will the sin of slitting throats with a smile ever spare you?
Will it ever let you off the hook?
Hey!
Male & Chorus: Hey!
You mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Hey, you mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Your horse without any horseshoes
is now running backwards, man!
Your horse without any horseshoes
is now running backwards, man!
It is running backwards, man!
Hey, you mirror with no silver backing,
come forward, mister, step right up!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Rasamillaadha Kannadi' is a satirical social commentary song sung by Seerkazhi Govindarajan for the 1959 Tamil movie 'Kalyanikku Kalyanam'. Written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and set to music by G. Ramanathan, the song employs sharp wit and folk-style colloquialisms to mock a deceitful, elderly, and vain man who attempts to act beyond his status and age. Metaphors like a mirror missing its reflective mercury backing (rendering it worthless) and a shoeless horse running backwards symbolize his utter lack of character, decline in fortune, and foolish pretentions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Rasamillaadha kannadi

'Rasamillaadha kannadi' (mirror without mercury coating) serves as a metaphor for a worthless person who has lost all moral reflection and substance.

Irony / Satire (Nindha Stuthi)

Indha soorapulikku yaaruthaan ippadi

The lyricist sarcastically addresses a cowardly or fake man as 'Soorapuli' (brave tiger) and 'Kottaapuli raaja' (paper/yawning tiger) to highlight his hypocrisy.

Rhyme / Assonance (Monai & Ethirai)

Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo

Repetition of second letter sound in 'Rasamillaadha' and 'Raaraa', as well as rhythmic cadence in 'Un laadam illaa kudhirai ippo / Odudhadaa pinnaadi'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is famous for Seerkazhi Govindarajan's energetic vocal delivery, blending classical agility with theatrical folk satire typical of 1950s Tamil cinema comedy tracks.

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