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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Saalaa Mishtri

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaithi Kannayiram1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saalaamishtri pista paruppuSalamisthri pistachio halwa, sir!
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-ngaIt is salamishthri pistachio halwa, sir!
Konjam sample thaaraenI will give you a small sample,
Saappittu paaththu sollungaTaste it and tell me your feedback!
Male
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-ngaIt is salamishthri pistachio halwa, sir!
Konjam sample thaaraenI will give you a small sample,
Saappittu paaththu sollungaTaste it and tell me your feedback!
Male
Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothungaConsuming three tolas per day is quite sufficient,
Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogungaAll the weakness in your nerves and veins will vanish!
Naalaikku moonu tholaa thinnaa pothungaConsuming three tolas per day is quite sufficient,
Naadi narampilulla thalarchchikalellaam pogungaAll the weakness in your nerves and veins will vanish!
Male
Maaleesh keeleeshMassage or whatever...
Maaleesh keeleesh poda thevai illeengaThere is no need for massages or remedies, sir!
Pudhu polish vanthu udampil thoththi kollungaA fresh new polish will coat your entire body!
AamaangaYes, indeed, sir!
Male
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-ngaIt is salamishthri pistachio halwa, sir!
Konjam sample thaaraenI will give you a small sample,
Saappittu paaththu sollungaTaste it and tell me your feedback!
Male
Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaaKuppanna, who taps his stick and flexes his shoulders,
Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaaSuppanna, who swallows fruit pulp leaving behind the skin,
Koleduththu mundaa thattum kuppannaaKuppanna, who taps his stick and flexes his shoulders,
Tholirukka sulai muzhungum suppannaaSuppanna, who swallows fruit pulp leaving behind the skin,
Jolly minor santhaipettai jakkannaaJakkanna from Santhaipettai, the jolly minor,
Jolly minor santhaipettai jakkannaaJakkanna from Santhaipettai, the jolly minor,
Ivunga certificate-u koduththa sarakkuThis product is certified by all of them,
Idhu nainaa idhu nainaaLook at this, my friend, look at this!
Male
Saalaamishtri pista paruppuSalamisthri pistachio halwa!
Male
Aiyyaa amma yaarum ullae kidaiyaathaaIs there no master or mistress inside?
Naan avungalai paaththu peram panna mudiyaathaaCan't I bargain directly after meeting them?
Aiyyaa amma yaarum ullae kidaiyaathaaIs there no master or mistress inside?
Naan avungalai paaththu peram panna mudiyaathaaCan't I bargain directly after meeting them?
Kaiyai melae podaatheenga thaalaathuDon't lay your hands on me or try to lull me,
Kaiyai melae podaatheenga thaalaathuDon't lay your hands on me or try to lull me,
Naan kadaiyai katturaen inthapakkamI am packing up my shop and leaving,
Paaraathu paaraathuWithout looking back this way, without looking!
Male
Aiyyaa saalaamishtri pista paruppuOh sir, salamisthri pistachio halwa!
Male
Saalaamishtri pista paruppu halwa-ngaIt is salamishthri pistachio halwa, sir!
Konjam sample thaaraenI will give you a small sample,
Saappittu paaththu sollungaTaste it and tell me your feedback!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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