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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Saalaa Mishtri

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kaithi Kannayiram
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
2 Oct 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-nga
Konjam sample thaaraen
Saappittu paaththu sollunga
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-nga
Konjam sample thaaraen
Saappittu paaththu sollunga
Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothunga
Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogunga
Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothunga
Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogunga
Maaleesh keeleesh
Maaleesh keeleesh poda thevai illeenga
Pudhu polish vanthu udampil thoththi kollunga
Aamaanga
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-nga
Konjam sample thaaraen
Saappittu paaththu sollunga
Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaa
Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaa
Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaa
Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaa
Jolly minor santhaipettai jakkannaa
Jolly minor santhaipettai jakkannaa
Ivunga certificate-u koduththa sarakku
Idhu nainaa idhu nainaa
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu
Aiyyaa amma yaarum ullae kidaiyaathaa
Naan avungalai paaththu peram panna mudiyaathaa
Aiyyaa amma yaarum ullae kidaiyaathaa
Naan avungalai paaththu peram panna mudiyaathaa
Kaiyai melae podaatheenga thaalaathu
Kaiyai melae podaatheenga thaalaathu
Naan kadaiyai katturaen inthapakkam
Paaraathu paaraathu
Aiyyaa saalaamishtri pista paruppu
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-nga
Konjam sample thaaraen
Saappittu paaththu sollunga
Salam mishri and pistachio nuts,
It's Salam mishri pistachio halwa, folks!
I'll give you a small sample,
Taste it and tell me how it is!
It's Salam mishri pistachio halwa, folks!
I'll give you a small sample,
Taste it and tell me how it is!
Just three tolas a day is enough,
All the weakness in your nerves and pulse will vanish!
Just three tolas a day is enough,
All the weakness in your nerves and pulse will vanish!
Massages, rubs, and all that...
You won't even need any massages or rubs!
A brand-new shine will take over your whole body!
Oh yes, indeed!
This is Salam mishri pistachio halwa, folks!
I'll give you a small sample,
Taste it and tell me how it is!
Kuppanna, who flexes his muscles holding a staff,
Subbanna, who swallows the fruit whole along with the peel,
Kuppanna, who flexes his muscles holding a staff,
Subbanna, who swallows the fruit whole along with the peel,
Jackanna, the carefree playboy of Sandaipettai,
Jackanna, the carefree playboy of Sandaipettai,
This is the very product certified by them,
Right here, boss, right here!
Salam mishri and pistachio nuts!
Is there no master or lady inside?
Can't I meet them and strike a deal?
Is there no master or lady inside?
Can't I meet them and strike a deal?
Don't lay your hands on me, I can't bear it!
Don't lay your hands on me, I can't bear it!
I'm packing up my stall; toward this side...
I won't look back, won't look back!
Sir, Salam mishri and pistachio nuts!
It's Salam mishri pistachio halwa, folks!
I'll give you a small sample,
Taste it and tell me how it is!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This humorous street-vendor song features a salesman enthusiastically pitching his traditional health tonic, 'Salamisthri Pista Paruppu Halwa'. He advertises its extraordinary restorative qualities, claiming that a tiny daily dose will eliminate all physical exhaustion and grant a radiant glow without requiring massages. To build credibility, he humorously cites testimonials from well-known local eccentric characters like Kuppanna, Suppanna, and Jakkanna. As the song progresses, the vendor interacts with prospective customers, trying to bargain with the household owners while nervously dodging unwanted advances or interference. Ultimately, he threatens to pack up his wares and move along if they do not purchase, framing his product with irresistible charm and comedic flair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Emoni / Iyaibu)

Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaa / Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaa

End-rhyme pairing Kuppanna, Suppanna, and Jakkanna to create a rhythmic, catchy cadence suitable for street selling.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothunga / Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogunga

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive words ('Naalaikku', 'Naadi', 'Narampilulla') enhancing vocal rhythm.

Echoism / Colloquial Echo Words (Adukku Thodar & Echo Constructs)

Maaleesh keeleesh poda thevai illeenga

Use of 'Maaleesh keeleesh' where 'keeleesh' acts as a humorous rhyming echo word emphasizing various physical treatments.

Did you know?

Trivia

Singing a street vendor comedy song was a departure from Sirkazhi Govindarajan's usual classical and devotional repertoire, demonstrating his versatility. The track showcases lyricist A. Maruthakasi's skill in infusing local Madras colloquialisms and rhythm into popular cinema songs.

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