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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sirikki Oruthi Singara Kurathi

From Enga Ooru Rasathi · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Enga Ooru Rasathi1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kathithiri kolu kaasu thandhu utharavu pottirukkuAn order has been issued along with coin payments for the festival performance.
Kattu jacket mela ittukattai paaadaTo sing on top of the structural frame wearing a tight blouse.
Edhirpaattu paada solli evarenum aasapattaIf anyone desires a counter-song to be sung in response,
Thutta pottu kelungaren naanumToss your coins and ask, and I too,
Metta pottu paadugindrenWill compose a tune and sing for you!
Male
Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathiA mischievous girl, a beautiful Gypsy woman,
Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthiSwinging and swaying gracefully like a cotton pod,
Vayasu payala vandhaalaam thorathiCame chasing after a young handsome lad,
Kannaala alaveduthaa en raasavaShe measured him up with her eyes, my king,
Pinaala varaavazhaichaAnd beckoned him to follow behind her!
Female
Chinna kanna singara mannaLittle boy with charming eyes, my handsome ruler,
Naanum vevaram ariyaadha pennaaAm I not an innocent girl who knows little of the world?
Serndhu vaaren un kooda onnaaI will come and join you to become one.
Kannaala alaveduthu nee thaanaeMeasuring me with your eyes, it was you indeed,
Pinaala varavazhaichaWho beckoned me to follow behind!
Male
Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathiA mischievous girl, a beautiful Gypsy woman,
Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthiSwinging and swaying gracefully like a cotton pod,
Vayasu payala vandhaalaam thorathiCame chasing after a young handsome lad,
Kannaala alaveduthaa en raasthiShe measured him up with her eyes, my princess,
Pinaala varaavazhaichaAnd beckoned him to follow behind her!
Female
Chinna kanna singara mannaLittle boy with charming eyes, my handsome ruler,
Naanum vevaram ariyaadha pennaaAm I not an innocent girl who knows little of the world?
Female
Azhagaesaa en maharaasaOh handsome Azhagesan, my royal king,
Nam aathooram poothathu indha rosaThis rose bloomed right by our riverbank!
Male : Paalaaru idhu pananjaaruIs this a river of milk or a stream of sweet palm sap?
En pasiyaara vandhadhu padhinaaruA sixteen-year-old maiden arrived to satisfy my hunger!
Female
Naakula neeeroorudhaaIs your tongue watering with desire?
Nenjila thaenoorudhaIs honey welling up inside your heart?
Nerungi irukkira neram vaaradhooWon't the time for us to draw close arrive soon?
Male :Aana vandhu thingaadha karumbaeOh sweet sugarcane untouched by any wandering elephant!
Kaaathu vandhu killaadha arumbaeOh delicate flower bud unplucked by the breeze!
Female
Chinna kanna singara mannaLittle boy with charming eyes, my handsome ruler,
Naanum vevaram ariyaadha pennaaAm I not an innocent girl who knows little of the world?
Serndhu vaaren un kooda onnaaI will come and join you to become one.
Male :Kannaala alaveduthaa en raasthiShe measured him up with her eyes, my princess,
Pinaala varaavazhaichaAnd beckoned him to follow behind her!
Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathiA mischievous girl, a beautiful Gypsy woman,
Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthiSwinging and swaying gracefully like a cotton pod,
Male
Unakkaaga vaazhum usuraagaLiving solely as a life force dedicated to you,
Otti onnaaga iruppen uravaagaI will remain closely attached to you as your kin.
Female :Oru paadhi neeyum marupaadhiYou are one half and I am the other half,
Idhu odhaadhoo kaadhil oru saedhiIsn't this joyous news whispered softly in your ear?
Male
Aagaadha kaaariyama kaappalae maariyammaCan anything remain impossible when Goddess Mariamman protects us?
Nambhi irukkudhu nalla manam renduTwo good hearts are placing their complete faith in her.
Female :Ketta varanga thaanaaga kedaikkumThe boons asked for will naturally be granted,
Potta vedhainga poovaaga mulaikkumThe seeds sown will blossom beautifully into flowers!
Male
Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathiA mischievous girl, a beautiful Gypsy woman,
Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthiSwinging and swaying gracefully like a cotton pod,
Vayasu payala vandhaalaam thorathiCame chasing after a young handsome lad,
Female :Kannaala alaveduthaa needhaanaeMeasuring me with your eyes, it was you indeed,
Pinaala varaavazhaichaWho beckoned me to follow behind!
Male
Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathiA mischievous girl, a beautiful Gypsy woman,
Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthiSwinging and swaying gracefully like a cotton pod,
Vayasu payala vandhaalaam thorathiCame chasing after a young handsome lad!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Enga Ooru Rasathi (1980) features this energetic, folk-infused duet composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by Kannadasan. Set in a rural village backdrop, the song takes the form of a flirtatious folk performance where a young man and a maiden sing playfully to one another, comparing their romance to rural motifs like palm sap rivers, untouched sugarcane, and riverbank roses. As the banter unfolds, the playful teasing deepens into an expression of devoted love, where the lovers view themselves as two halves of a single entity. They place their faith in Goddess Mariamman to overcome obstacles and bless their lifelong union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Sirukki oruthi singaara kurathi

Repetition of the initial 'S' sound in 'Sirukki', 'singaara', 'Thalukki', 'Thallaadum' creates a rhythmic, lively folk cadence.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thalukki kulukki thallaadum paruthi

The heroine's delicate, swaying walk is poetically compared to a soft cotton pod ('paruthi') swaying in the breeze.

Metaphor (Uvamaatsool)

Oru paadhi neeyum marupaadhi

The lovers are conceptualized as 'one half and the other half' (Oru paadhi neeyum marupaadhi), signifying complete harmony and oneness.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Enga Ooru Rasathi' (1980) features music composed by Gangai Amaran, who excelled at capturing authentic Tamil rural folk idioms. The song utilizes traditional village street-singer rhythms ('Kattai Koothu' / 'Villu Paattu' style narrative cues) to frame the romantic duet.

Keep listening

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