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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sirikkuthe Mullai Thannale

From Thozhan · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Thozhan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vasammigum mullai thaanThe highly fragrant jasmine flower,
Aasaiyudan azhaikkudhae…aaaaCalls out to you with desire...
Vandae nee odi vaaraaiOh beautiful bee, run and come here!
Adhan mana nilai thannaiyaeIts state of mind,
Unaraamal iruppadhumRemaining without realizing,
Gnyaayamo enni paaraaiIs it fair? Think about it!
Female
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own,
Anbaai un munnalaeLovingly right in front of you.
Pann padaamal singaara vandaeOh beautiful bee, without singing a tune,
Innum yen maunamoo solWhy this silence still? Speak up!
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own.
Female
Parisaagum yenooWhy become a gift?
Parivodu paaraiyooLook with compassion!
Parisaagum yenooWhy become a gift?
Parivodu paaraiyooLook with compassion!
Uravaagi sondham kollaTo form a bond and make it your own,
Nee inguvaaCome over here.
Urugaadho undhan ullamWill your heart not melt?
Innum yen maunamooWhy this silence still?
Parisaagum yenooWhy become a gift?
Parivodu paaraiyoo solLook with compassion and speak!
Female
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own,
Anbaai un munnalaeLovingly right in front of you.
Pann padaamal singaara vandaeOh beautiful bee, without singing a tune,
Innum yen maunamoo solWhy this silence still? Speak up!
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own.
Female
Sollamal theriyalaiyooDo you not know without being told?
Sonnalum puriyalaiyooDo you not understand even when told?
Solluvaai neeyaeTell me yourself,
Kalloo un ullamaeIs your heart made of stone?
Kaniyaadhoo anbinaalWill it not soften with love?
Pesum kannilaiyooIs it because the eyes speak?
Pesum kannilaiyooIs it because the eyes speak?
Female
Puriyaamal podum pudhirDon't consider it an unsolvable puzzle,
Endru ennadhaeDo not think of it so!
Ponnana kaalamIs this golden time,
Summa veenavadhaJust going to be wasted?
Arivaayoo anbaeWill you understand, my love?
Innum yen maunamooWhy this silence still?
Arivaayoo anbaeWill you understand, my love?
Innum yen maunamoo solWhy this silence still? Speak up!
Female
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own,
Anbaai un munnalaeLovingly right in front of you.
Pann padaamal singaara vandaeOh beautiful bee, without singing a tune,
Innum yen maunamoo solWhy this silence still? Speak up!
Sirikkudhu mullai thannalaeThe jasmine blossoms with a smile on its own.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses a heroine's yearning coaxing of her lover using rich classical Tamil allegories. The heroine compares herself to a fragrant jasmine flower ('mullai') blooming with love, while addressing her lover as a beetle ('vandu'). She questions his enduring silence and hesitation, urging him to come closer, open his heart, and reciprocate her deep affection instead of letting precious time slip away in silence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai & Urvagai (Metaphor / Personification)

Sirikkudhu mullai thannalae

The song uses the classic Sangam poetry allegory of the beetle ('vandu') visiting the jasmine flower ('mullai') to symbolize the lover and the beloved, while personifying the blooming flower as smiling ('sirikkudhu').

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Parisaagum yenoo / Parivodu paaraiyoo

The second consonant 'ri' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Parisaagum' and 'Parivodu').

Monae (Initial Alliteration)

Sollamal theriyalaiyoo / Sonnalum puriyalaiyoo

Initial letters starting with the same sound 'So' across consecutive rhetorical questions.

Personification

Pesum kannilaiyoo

Attributing the human capability of speech to eyes ('pesum kann').

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1960 movie 'Thozhan', this song highlights lyricist A. Maruthakasi's mastery of drawing imagery from ancient Sangam Tamil poetry (specifically the Mullai landscape representing patient waiting and love) into 1960s film music, tuned masterfully by G. Ramanathan and sung by Jikki.

Keep listening

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