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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Siricha Kolli Mala

From Jothi · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Jothi1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sirichaa… kolli mala kuyilu…When she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills...
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Oru muthu mani thandha mogathilaeIn the passion given by a pearl-like gemstone
Pathu viral thotta vegathilaeIn the speed with which ten fingers touched
Male
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Female
Patta idam paalooraNectar flowed wherever it was touched
Nenjukkulla penmai surakkaWomanhood welled up inside the heart
Female
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Male
Kallaa kedandhu poovaanaaShe who lay like a stone transformed into a flower
Rendaam thadava aalaanaaShe became a woman mature again for the second time
Male
Kallaa kedandhu poovaanaaShe who lay like a stone transformed into a flower
Rendaam thadava aalaanaaShe became a woman mature again for the second time
Karum paaraiya pol irundhaaShe was like a hard black rock
Soga maambazhamaa kaninjaaShe ripened like a sweet mango
Female
Rosaa kadhavu thaanaa thorandhuThe rose door opened automatically
Vaasam vandhadhenna hoiWhy did the fragrance waft out, oh!
Rosaa kadhavu thaanaa thorandhuThe rose door opened automatically
Vaasam vandhadhennaWhy did the fragrance waft out
Ilam poova kodi thaan thodumoWill the vine touch the young flower?
Kanavo nenavoIs this a dream or reality?
Male
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Female
Kaavalukkingae yaar poruppuWho is responsible for protection here?
Mullu valarthadhu thaamarap pooThorns nurtured the lotus flower
Female
Kaavalukkingae yaar poruppuWho is responsible for protection here?
Mullu valarthadhu thaamarap pooThorns nurtured the lotus flower
Ulagam yengo malli pooSomewhere in the world lies a jasmine flower
Pari ponadhu en sirippuMy smile has been stolen away
Male
Kaalam irukku kanneer edhukkuThere is time ahead, why shed tears?
Vandhaen kaavalukku hoiI have come for protection, oh!
Kaalam irukku kanneer edhukkuThere is time ahead, why shed tears?
Vandhaen kaavalukkuI have come for protection
Thalumbaadhiruppen kodamae sogamae varumaeOh pot, I will stay filled without spilling, sorrow will come
Female
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Male
Oru muthu mani thandhaGiven by a pearl-like gemstone
MogathilaeIn the passion
Pathu viral thotta vegathilaeIn the speed with which ten fingers touched
Male
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills
Sirichaa kolli mala kuyiluWhen she smiled, she was like the cuckoo of Kolli Hills

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie Jothi (1983), penned by Vairamuthu, depicts the emotional and sensory awakening of a woman through love and touch. Using rich folk imagery, her former emotionally distant or hardened self is described as a stone or a dark rock that softens into a flower and ripens into a sweet mango under tender affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Karum paaraiya pol irundhaa

Compares her former unyielding state directly to a hard black rock using 'pol' ('Karum paaraiya pol irundhaa').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kallaa kedandhu poovaanaa

Metaphorically describes her heart softening from stone into a blooming flower.

Contrast (Muran)

Mullu valarthadhu thaamarap poo

Contrasts sharp thorns ('mullu') with delicate lotus flowers ('thaamarap poo') to highlight beauty emerging from adversity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates nature-focused metaphors tied to Kolli Hills (Kolli Malai), a mountain range in Tamil Nadu famous in classical Sangam literature for its rich biodiversity and mystical folklore.

Keep listening

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