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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Singakutti Naanadi

From Moodu Manthiram · 1989

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Manjula
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Moodu Manthiram1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa…..Sshhaa…Ah... Shh...
Sevaazhai poopolae sevaththa ponnu ingirukkaWhile the fair-skinned girl, radiant like a red banana blossom, is right here,
Javvaathu pottu vachcha thaai maman kaanalaiyaeThe maternal uncle adorned with fragrant civet tilak is nowhere to be seen.
Maiyiruttu pozhuthoda manja poosi kulichchuputtaaAs pitch-black dusk arrived, she bathed applying turmeric,
Maiyiruttu pozhuthoda manja poosi kulichchuputtaaAs pitch-black dusk arrived, she bathed applying turmeric,
Maruthaani vachcha pulla mayanguthaiyyaa thannaalaeThe girl wearing henna is swooning on her own, my dear man,
Maruthaani vachcha pulla mayanguthaiyyaa thannaalaeThe girl wearing henna is swooning on her own, my dear man,
Mayanguthaiyyaa thannaalaeShe is swooning on her own.
Male
Singakutti naanadi ennai thottu paaradiI am a lion cub, my dear girl, touch me and see!
Singakutti naanadi ennai thottu paaradiI am a lion cub, my dear girl, touch me and see!
Kanni pennae vetkkamennaMaiden girl, why are you feeling shy?
Kattikolla achchamennaWhat fear is there in embracing each other?
Unnaiyae enniyaeThinking only of you,
Kannilae thookkamillaiyae…ae….There is no sleep in my eyes...
Male
Singakutti naanadi ennai thottu paaradiI am a lion cub, my dear girl, touch me and see!
Kanni pennae vetkkamennaMaiden girl, why are you feeling shy?
Kattikolla achchamennaWhat fear is there in embracing each other?
Unnaiyae enniyaeThinking only of you,
Kannilae thookkamillaiyae…ae….There is no sleep in my eyes...
Chorus
Jimpara jimpara raaraa ho hohJimpara jimpara raaraa ho hoh
Jimpara jimpara raa….Jimpara jimpara raa....
Jimpara jimpara raaraa ho hohJimpara jimpara raaraa ho hoh
Jimpara jimpara raa….Jimpara jimpara raa....
Female
HaeiHey!
Male :AahMale: Ah
Female :HaeiFemale: Hey
Male :HahaahMale: Haha
Female :Haei ha haei haeFemale: Hey ha hey hae
Male
Neelamala oraththula meikka vantha neraththilaeBy the slope of the Blue Mountain, when I came to graze,
Kaaththiruntha poonguyilae vaalipaththin vegaththilaeOh waiting sweet cuckoo, in the rush of youth,
Vaanna vizhi paarvaiyilaeIn the gaze of those starry eyes,
Bodhai kondaen unmaiyilaeI truly became intoxicated.
Male
Dheepam vachcha neram yaruthadi mogamAs the lamp is lit, passion rises,
Theerththu vaikka odi vaaRun and come to satisfy it!
Dheepam vachcha neram yaruthadi mogamAs the lamp is lit, passion rises,
Theerththu vaikka odi vaaRun and come to satisfy it!
Chorus
Jimpara jimpara raaraa ho hohJimpara jimpara raaraa ho hoh
Jimpara jimpara raa….haahJimpara jimpara raa....haah
Male
Haa singa kutty nanadi ennai thottu paaradiHaha, I am a lion cub, my dear girl, touch me and see!
Kanni penney vetkkamenna ha haMaiden girl, why are you feeling shy? Ha ha
Katti kolla achchamennaWhat fear is there in embracing each other?
Unnaiyae enniyaeThinking only of you,
Kannilae thookkamillaiyae….ae….There is no sleep in my eyes...
Male
………………(Music interlude)
Female :……………Female: (Vocalizing)
Male
Malligaippoo sendugalaa machchamulla penndugalaaOh bunches of jasmine flowers, oh girls with beauty spots,
Muththamida vaarigalaa chinna chinna chittukalaaWill you come to share a kiss, oh little sparrows?
Thenirukkum mottukalaa thegangalai thaareegalaaOh buds filled with honey, will you surrender your bodies?
Pooththirukkum meni raaththirikku theeniA blossoming body is a feast for the night,
Kaaththirunthu nee paaradi….hahaaWait and watch, my dear... haha!
Pooththirukkum meni raaththirikku theeniA blossoming body is a feast for the night,
Kaaththirunthu nee paaradi….hahaaWait and watch, my dear... haha!
Chorus
Jimpara jimpara raaraa ho hohJimpara jimpara raaraa ho hoh
Jimpara jimpara raa….haahJimpara jimpara raa....haah
Male
Haa singa kutty nanadi ennai thottu paaradiHaha, I am a lion cub, my dear girl, touch me and see!
Kanni penney vetkkamenna ha haMaiden girl, why are you feeling shy? Ha ha
Katti kolla achchamennaWhat fear is there in embracing each other?
Unnaiyae enniyaeThinking only of you,
Kannilae thookkamillaiyae….ae….There is no sleep in my eyes...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and energetic duet from the 1989 movie 'Moodu Manthiram' explores the passionate banter and romantic yearning between two lovers. Set against a rural, pastoral backdrop near the hills, the hero proudly calls himself a brave 'lion cub' and coaxingly invites his shy maiden to cast aside her hesitation and embrace him. The female lead expresses her longing and intimate preparation, beautifying herself with turmeric and henna in anticipation of her beloved uncle-lover. The lyrics composed by Muthulingam rely heavily on traditional Tamil folk motifs—comparing beauty to banana flowers and jasmine, and dusk to a time of heightened romantic passion. Through rhythmic chants, vibrant metaphors, and sensual imagery, the song captures the excitement, youthful urge, and restless sleeplessness brought on by deep attraction.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Sevaazhai poopolae sevaththa ponnu ingirukka

Compares the girl's fair and vibrant complexion to a bright red banana flower blossom.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Singakutti naanadi ennai thottu paaradi

The male protagonist asserts his boldness by metaphorically describing himself as a brave lion cub.

Emona / Rhyme & Alliteration

Kanni pennae vetkkamenna / Kattikolla achchamenna

Uses parallel rhythmic phrasing and rhyming structures across lines to heighten the folk tempo.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Pooththirukkum meni raaththirikku theeni

Metaphorically describes the youthful blossoming body as a delicious feast intended for the night.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Moodu Manthiram' (1989) featured music composed by the celebrated duo Shankar-Ganesh. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's high-spirited vocal delivery in this track highlights the playful, folk-infused pop style popular in late 1980s Tamil commercial cinema.

Keep listening

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