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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Selaiyil Moodiya

From Thedi Vantha Lakshmi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Sanjay
Movie name
Thedi Vantha Lakshmi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
12 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Selaiyil moodiya karumba
Semmadhulaiyae thirumbu
Aayiram pergal avanukku undu
Adhanaal ennai virumbhu
Baby..aariraaroo
Naan unnai thalattavaa
Baby..aariraaroo
Naan unnai thalattavaa
Pergalai maatram kurumbhu
Penmai enbadhu arumbhu
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkum
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhu
Aiyaa aariraaroo
Yen indha kondattamoo
Aiyaa aariraaroo
Yen indha kondattamoo
{Oru pakkam paarthaal nee
Malligai thottamadi
Maru pakkam paarthaal nee
Mambalam koottamadi} (2)
Kadai podalaam vaa
Vilai pesalaam vaa
Uravukku thevai jodi
Adi oonjalil vadi
Pergalai maatram kurumbhu
Penmai enbadhu arumbhu
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkum
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhu
Aiyaa aariraaroo
Yen indha kondattamoo
Aiyaa aariraaroo
Yen indha kondattamoo
{Idai vittu pookal un
Ennathai vattiyadho
Ezhil konda maeni
En ennathai kaatiyadhoo} (2)
Ennai konjalam nee
Unai minjuven naan
Anbuvam illai aiyaa
En aasaiyum poiyaa
Selaiyil moodiya karumba
Semmadhulaiyae thirumbu
Aayiram pergal avanukku undu
Adhanaal ennai virumbhu
Pergalai maatram kurumbhu
Penmai enbadhu arumbhu
Kettadhu kidaikkum paarthu nadakkum
Kaathirundhaal thaan virundhu
Baby..aariraaroo
Naan unnai thalattavaa
Female :Aiyaa aariraaroo
Yen indha kondattamoo
Are you sweet sugarcane wrapped in a sari?
Turn around, my ripe red pomegranate!
He already has a thousand names,
So come and love me instead!
Baby... aari raaro (lullaby),
Shall I sing you a lullaby?
Baby... aari raaro,
Shall I sing you a lullaby?
You play mischievous tricks with names,
Womanhood is still a tender bud.
You will get what you ask for if you watch your step,
The feast comes only to those who wait!
Sir, aari raaro...
Why all this celebration?
Sir, aari raaro...
Why all this celebration?
From one side,
You look like a jasmine garden, my girl!
From the other side,
You look like a bunch of sweet mangoes!
Come, let us set up shop,
Come, let us agree on the price!
Love always needs a pair,
So come to the swing, my girl!
You play mischievous tricks with names,
Womanhood is still a tender bud.
You will get what you ask for if you watch your step,
The feast comes only to those who wait!
Sir, aari raaro...
Why all this celebration?
Sir, aari raaro...
Why all this celebration?
Did the scattered flowers
Tease and torment your thoughts?
Or did this lovely body of mine
Reveal what was in my heart?
You can try to pamper me,
Yet I will love you even more!
Is this not true love, sir,
Or is my longing just a lie?
Are you sweet sugarcane wrapped in a sari?
Turn around, my ripe red pomegranate!
He already has a thousand names,
So come and love me instead!
You play mischievous tricks with names,
Womanhood is still a tender bud.
You will get what you ask for if you watch your step,
The feast comes only to those who wait!
Baby... aari raaro,
Shall I sing you a lullaby?
Female: Sir, aari raaro...
Why all this celebration?
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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