Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Selaiyil Moodiya

From Thedi Vantha Lakshmi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Sanjay
Details
Thedi Vantha Lakshmi1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Selaiyil moodiya karumbaSugarcane wrapped in a saree,
Semmadhulaiyae thirumbuO sweet red pomegranate, turn around!
Aayiram pergal avanukku unduHe has a thousand different names,
Adhanaal ennai virumbhuSo love me as I am!
Baby..aariraarooBaby... lullaby,
Naan unnai thalattavaaShall I sing you a lullaby?
Baby..aariraarooBaby... lullaby,
Naan unnai thalattavaaShall I sing you a lullaby?
Female
Pergalai maatram kurumbhuChanging names is just a playful mischief,
Penmai enbadhu arumbhuWomanhood is like a delicate flower bud.
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkumWhatever you wish for will be granted, things will unfold properly,
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhuThe grand feast is served only if you have patience.
Aiyaa aariraarooSir... lullaby,
Yen indha kondattamooWhy all this celebration and excitement?
Aiyaa aariraarooSir... lullaby,
Yen indha kondattamooWhy all this celebration and excitement?
Male
{Oru pakkam paarthaal neeLooked at from one side, you are
Malligai thottamadiA lush garden of jasmine flowers, my dear,
Maru pakkam paarthaal neeLooked at from the other side, you are
Mambalam koottamadi} (2)A sweet cluster of ripe mangoes, my dear. (Repeated)
Male
Kadai podalaam vaaCome, let us set up our own little shop,
Vilai pesalaam vaaCome, let us bargain and set the price,
Uravukku thevai jodiA relationship needs a suitable partner,
Adi oonjalil vadiSo come sit beside me on the swing!
Female
Pergalai maatram kurumbhuChanging names is just a playful mischief,
Penmai enbadhu arumbhuWomanhood is like a delicate flower bud.
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkumWhatever you wish for will be granted, things will unfold properly,
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhuThe grand feast is served only if you have patience.
Aiyaa aariraarooSir... lullaby,
Yen indha kondattamooWhy all this celebration and excitement?
Aiyaa aariraarooSir... lullaby,
Yen indha kondattamooWhy all this celebration and excitement?
Female
{Idai vittu pookal unDid the flowers placed at your waist
Ennathai vattiyadhoWither away your subtle thoughts?
Ezhil konda maeniYour exquisite and lovely form
En ennathai kaatiyadhoo} (2)Has reflected my own innermost thoughts. (Repeated)
Female
Ennai konjalam neeYou may affectionately pamper me,
Unai minjuven naanBut I shall outshine you in love,
Anbuvam illai aiyaaIs there no love in your heart, sir?
En aasaiyum poiyaaIs my deep desire also just a lie?
Male
Selaiyil moodiya karumbaSugarcane wrapped in a saree,
Semmadhulaiyae thirumbuO sweet red pomegranate, turn around!
Aayiram pergal avanukku unduHe has a thousand different names,
Adhanaal ennai virumbhuSo love me as I am!
Female
Pergalai maatram kurumbhuChanging names is just a playful mischief,
Penmai enbadhu arumbhuWomanhood is like a delicate flower bud.
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkumWhatever you wish for will be granted, things will unfold properly,
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhuThe grand feast is served only if you have patience.
Male
Baby..aariraarooBaby... lullaby,
Naan unnai thalattavaaShall I sing you a lullaby?
Female :Aiyaa aariraarooFemale: Sir... lullaby,
Yen indha kondattamooWhy all this celebration and excitement?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Selaiyil Moodiya Karumba from the 1973 film Thedi Vantha Lakshmi is a playful romantic duet penned by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela. The song features a lively banter between lovers where the male protagonist compares his beloved to nature's delights like sugarcane wrapped in a saree, sweet pomegranates, jasmine gardens, and ripe mangoes, teasingly offering to sing her a lullaby. In response, the female protagonist cautions him with charm, reminding him that womanhood matures like a blooming bud and true intimacy requires patience before the grand feast of love can be enjoyed. Through clever metaphors and rhythmic phrasing, lyricist Kannadasan captures the playful push-and-pull of romantic courtships, set to upbeat music by M. S. Sanjay.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Selaiyil moodiya karumba

Compares the woman wrapped in a saree to sweet sugarcane.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Penmai enbadhu arumbhu

Compares womanhood to a blooming flower bud (arumbhu).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Selaiyil moodiya karumba / Semmadhulaiyae thirumbu

The 'Se' sound is repeated in consecutive opening words (Selaiyil / Semmadhulaiyae).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Malligai thottamadi / Mambalam koottamadi

Compares different sides of her physical beauty to a garden of jasmine and a collection of sweet mangoes.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from Thedi Vantha Lakshmi (1973) stands out for Kannadasan's blend of modern English endearments like 'Baby' alongside classical Tamil botanical metaphors. Music composed by M. S. Sanjay provided a contemporary, upbeat tune that showcased the playful vocal chemistry between legendary singers T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Thedi Vantha Lakshmi