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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Santhanam Kondaanga

From Oomai Ullangal · 1981

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oomai Ullangal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haa… so haa…haan.. soHaa… so haa…haan.. so (vocalizations)
Chorus
Haa… so haa..haan…. soHaa… so haa…haan.. so (vocalizations)
Thandhana thandhaanaaThandhana thandhaanaa (rhythmic vocal refrain)
Thandhanaanaa thandhanaanaaThandhanaanaa thandhanaanaa (rhythmic vocal refrain)
Thandhana thandhaanaaThandhana thandhaanaa (rhythmic vocal refrain)
Thandhanaanaa thandhanaanaaThandhanaanaa thandhanaanaa (rhythmic vocal refrain)
Female
Sandhanam kondaangaBring the sandalwood paste
Thanga maeni thottu poosaTo touch and apply on her golden body
Chandhiran vandhaanaaDid the Moon arrive
Indha raani thottu pesaTo touch and speak with this queen?
Indhiran kettaanaaDid Lord Indra ask
Indha maeni pattu veesaTo spread soft silk over this body?
Chorus
Endha raasaa unna thediWhich king searching for you
Varuvaano hoiWill come, oh!
Sandhanam kondaangaBring the sandalwood paste
Thanga maeni thottu poosaTo touch and apply on her golden body
Chandhiran vandhaanaaDid the Moon arrive
Indha raani thottu pesaTo touch and speak with this queen?
Female
Manjalum ottalaThe turmeric hasn't adhered yet
Malligaiyum paththalaThe jasmine flowers are not enough
Konja varum maaman kittalaThe maternal uncle who comes to pamper isn't near
Maala kattaliyo …oo…Has no garland been woven yet?
Female
Thattula veththalaBetel leaves are on the plate
Saadhi sanam suththulaKinsfolk are surrounding around
Thaali katta neram vekkalaThey haven't fixed the time to tie the sacred wedding thread
Yaarum sikkaliyoHas no groom been caught yet?
Chorus
Enna vekkam vaa pakkathulaWhy such shyness? Come closer
Thaamara kodiyaeOh delicate lotus vine!
Female
Maappila vandhaa thavippaanIf the groom comes, he will yearn
Oru maadhiriyaa sirippaanHe will smile in a peculiar way
Chorus :Maappila vandhaa thavippaan oChorus: If the groom comes, he will yearn
Ou maadhiriyaa sirippaanHe will smile in a peculiar way
Female
Sandhanam kondaangaBring the sandalwood paste
Thanga maeni thottu poosaTo touch and apply on her golden body
Chorus :Chandhiran vandhaanaaChorus: Did the Moon arrive
Indha raani thottu pesaTo touch and speak with this queen?
Female
Kunguma pottulaWith the vermilion bindi on the forehead
Kodi thuni pattulaIn brand new silk attire
Kulungura maeni ponnulaIn the golden girl with a swaying frame
Kolam kattaliyoHas decorative rangoli not been drawn?
Female
Kattadi thottilaIn a woven cradle
Aariraaro mettilaTo the tune of a lullaby
Paada oru neram vandhadhuThe time has come to sing
Maaman ottaliyoHas the uncle not agreed yet?
Chorus
Kanni ponnu kaathirukkudhuThe young maiden is waiting
Thoppula thaniyaeAlone in the grove
Female
Kitta nerungudhu neramThe time is drawing near
Appa kooda naanga vaaromThen we will also come along
Chorus :Kitta nerungudhu neramChorus: The time is drawing near
Appa kooda naanga vaaromThen we will also come along
Female
Sandhanam kondaangaBring the sandalwood paste
Thanga maeni thottu poosaTo touch and apply on her golden body
Chorus :Chandhiran vandhaanaaChorus: Did the Moon arrive
Indha raani thottu pesaTo touch and speak with this queen?
Female :Indhiran kettaanaaFemale: Did Lord Indra ask
Indha maeni pattu veesaTo spread soft silk over this body?
Chorus
Endha raasaa unna thediWhich king searching for you
Varuvaano hoiWill come, oh!
Sandhanam kondaangaBring the sandalwood paste
Thanga maeni thottu poosaTo touch and apply on her golden body
Chandhiran vandhaanaaDid the Moon arrive
Indha raani thottu pesaTo touch and speak with this queen?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Oomai Ullangal (1981) is a traditional, festive folk track depicting women playfully teasing a young maiden who is getting ready for marriage. The lyrics detail typical South Indian pre-wedding rituals (Nalangu), such as applying sandalwood paste, wearing turmeric and fresh jasmine flowers, dressing in silk, and waiting for the auspicious time (muhurtham) to tie the sacred marriage thread (thaali). The companions playfully wonder which handsome prince or celestial figure—like the Moon or Indra—will come to marry her. Written by Panchu Arunachalam, the track highlights village customs, feminine bonding, and joyful anticipation of wedlock. Through metaphors comparing the bride to a lotus vine and gold, the song captures the warmth, shyness, and celebratory atmosphere of rural marriage celebrations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thanga maeni thottu poosa

'Thanga maeni' (golden body) and 'Thaamara kodiyae' (lotus vine) metaphorically compare the girl's glowing skin to gold and her gracefulness to a tender lotus stem.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sandhanam kondaanga / Chandhiran vandhaanaa

The second consonant 'n'/'nd' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Sandhanam' / 'Chandhiran' / 'Indhiran').

Hyperbole (Uravanidhal)

Chandhiran vandhaanaa / Indha raani thottu pesa

Comparing the expected bridegroom to celestial gods like Chandhiran (the Moon) and Indhiran (King of the Gods) to exaggerate his charm and status.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oomai Ullangal (1981) was written and directed by Panchu Arunachalam himself, featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Panchu Arunachalam was instrumental in introducing folk rhythms and authentic Tamil village traditions into mainstream Tamil cinema soundscapes during the late 1970s and 1980s.

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