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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sambonu

From December Pookal · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
December Pookal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Female
Nambaadhae ada vembaadhaeDo not trust him, oh do not get agitated
Nambaadhae ada vembaadhaeDo not trust him, oh do not get agitated
Ambonnu vittu viduvaanHe will leave you stranded and abandoned
Female
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Female
Thottu thaan pattaa poduTouch it and wear a mark
Appuram vittaa paaruThen let go and watch
Chittu thaan honda car-ruuThe Honda car is as fast as a little bird
Thottuttaa kondaa nooruIf you touch it, bring a hundred
Female
{Aalaana annaththukkumFor the majestic grown swan
Azhagaana kinnathukkumFor the beautiful cup
Male Chorus :BodhaIntoxication
Female:Poovaana kannaththukkumFor the flower-like cheeks
Puriyaadha chinnathukkumUnfathomable small mark
Male Chorus :Paadha} (2)Path
Raagam thadumaarumThe musical melody falters
Female :Neeyum vaa porukkalaYou too come, I couldn't resist
Female
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Female
Ponnunnaa ponnu naanuIf you say woman, I am the quintessential woman
Enninaa engum thaenuIf you count, there is honey everywhere
Kannilae rendu meenuTwo fish in the eyes
Kanni thaan thullum maanuThe young maiden is a leaping deer
Female
{Thaanaaga thaththalichuFlapping frantically on its own
Thaniyaaga koppalikkumBubbling up in solitude
Male Chorus :AasaDesire
Female :Neeyaaga endhirichuGetting up on your own accord
Nejamaaga oththuzhaichuCooperating in reality
Male Chorus :Pesa} (2)To speak
Neram idhu neramThis is the time, the right moment
Female :Neeyum vaa marukkalaYou too come, I didn't refuse
Female
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Female
Nambaadhae ada vembaadhaeDo not trust him, oh do not get agitated
Hey nambaadhae ada vembaadhaeHey do not trust him, oh do not get agitated
Ambonnu vittu viduvaanHe will leave you stranded and abandoned
Female
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaanWill come running fast like Rambha
Sambonnu solli vandha saamiThe god who came chanting Sambon
Rambaannu odi varuvaan haanWill come running fast like Rambha, haan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and rhythmic song from December Pookal (1986) warns against trusting deceptive, charming men who promise grand things but leave women stranded once their motives are served. The lyricist uses playful metaphors, comparing feminine beauty to swans, fish-like eyes, and leaping deer, while cautioning about the illusory nature of attraction and material allure like fast cars. Overall, it is a dance-oriented track filled with high energy, catching rhythm, and allegorical expressions of desire, youth, and caution.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kannilae rendu meenu / Kanni thaan thullum maanu

Comparing the eyes to fish (Kannilae rendu meenu) and the young woman to a leaping deer (Kanni thaan thullum maanu).

Rhyme / Monai and Ethirai

Sambonnu solli vandha saami / Rambaannu odi varuvaan

Use of internal rhyming words like Sambonnu, Rambaannu, Nambaadhae, Vembaadhae, and Ambonnu.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Thottu thaan pattaa podu / Chittu thaan honda car-ruu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines (Thottu, Thaan, Chittu, Honda).

Did you know?

Trivia

December Pookal is a 1986 Tamil thriller film starring Mohan and Nalini. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with Gangai Amaran contributing catchy, street-style playful lyrics to this fun rhythm-heavy track.

Keep listening

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