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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sivakasi Rathiyae

From Poo · 2008

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Periya Karuppa Thevar
Music director
S. S. Kumaran
Details
Poo2008

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sivakaasi radhiyae yae sirikkindra vediyaeOh beauty of Sivakasi, oh laughing firecracker!
Unnai entha kaalam paarththathu thaayaeWhen did I last see you, my dear?
Iva anthakkaala aiswaryarayiShe is the Aishwarya Rai of olden days!
Mugaththilae theriyura surugaththai polaeLike the wrinkles appearing on her face,
Arupathu vayasila paduththuraalaeShe torments me like a sixty-year-old!
Unnai enthakaalam paarththathu thaayaeWhen did I last see you, my dear?
Iva anththakaala aiswaryarayiShe is the Aishwarya Rai of olden days!
Male
Oththayadi paadhaiyilae sulli porukkaTo gather twigs along the narrow foottrack,
Maththiyaanam varuvaanu pooththu kidanthaenI lay waiting eagerly for her arrival at midday.
Oththa panai maelae vantha peya paarththuthaanSeeing a ghost atop a lone palm tree,
Thalai therikka oottam pudichchaenI ran away at full speed!
Male
Yaei ayyanaaru saamiya kaavalukku vendiththaanHey, praying for Lord Ayyanar's protection,
Kaadhala naan solla ninaichaenI wished to confess my love to her.
Ava paampaatti oruththanaiSeeing her laugh repeatedly
Paarththu paarththu sirichchathaAt a snake charmer,
Enga poi solli tholaippaenWhere can I go and vent my sorrow?
Antha panthakkaalu pakkaththula paaruLook near that festival pole,
Iva anthakkala sokkaththanga thaeruShe is a pure gold chariot of yesteryears!
Male
Sivakaasi radhiyae yae sirikkindra vediyaeOh beauty of Sivakasi, oh laughing firecracker!
Unnai entha kaalam paarththathu thaayaeWhen did I last see you, my dear?
Iva anthakkaala aiswaryarayiShe is the Aishwarya Rai of olden days!
Male
Pambu settu thanniyilae ava kulikkaWhen she bathed in the pump set water,
Thennai maara uchchiyila naanum iruppaenI would perch high up on a coconut tree.
Thennai mattai thaelu onnu ennai kadikkaA scorpion on the coconut frond bit me,
Kaththikkittu palla ilippaenAnd I screamed out in pain, baring my teeth!
Male
Yae kenda meenai polaththaanLike a lively carp fish,
Thullikittu thirinjavaShe who used to leap and roam around,
Karuvaadaa vanthu nikkiraaNow stands like dried fish!
Ippa nalla neram paarkkalaNow no auspicious time was checked,
Thaampolamum maaththalaNor were betel leaves exchanged,
Unnai enththakkaalam paarththathu thaayaeWhen did I last see you, my dear?
Iva iththupona aiswaryarayiShe is now a worn-out Aishwarya Rai!
Male
Sivakaasi radhiyae yae sirikkindra vediyaeOh beauty of Sivakasi, oh laughing firecracker!
Unnai entha kaalam paarththathu thaayaeWhen did I last see you, my dear?
Iva anthakkaala aiswaryarayiShe is the Aishwarya Rai of olden days!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sivakaasi Radhiyae from the film Poo (2008) is a rustic, humorous song capturing nostalgia, youthful yearning, and playful teasing toward a childhood beloved. The protagonist humorously compares her beauty to actress Aishwarya Rai and a sparkling Sivakasi firecracker, reminiscing about his clumsiness and missed opportunities to confess his love during their younger days. Through vivid rural imagery—such as getting bitten by scorpions while spying from coconut trees or running from ghosts on lone palm trees—the track paints a charming picture of village romance. Though time and hardships have weathered her appearance, his lighthearted banter reflects enduring fondness and an unbreakable emotional connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Yae kenda meenai polaththaan

Compares her vibrant past self to a jumping carp fish ('Kenda meenai polaththaan').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Iva anthakkala sokkaththanga thaeru

Directly identifies her as a pure gold temple chariot ('sokkaththanga thaeru') and a laughing cracker ('sirikkindra vediyae').

Contrast / Irony

Karuvaadaa vanthu nikkiraa

Juxtaposes her energetic past ('kenda meenai' - lively fish) with her present worn-out state ('karuvaadaa' - dried fish).

Alliteration (Monai)

Sivakaasi radhiyae yae sirikkindra vediyae

Repetition of the initial 'Si' sound in 'Sivakaasi' and 'sirikkindra'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Poo (2008) marked the debut of music composer S. S. Kumaran. The film was based on the Tamil short story 'Veyilodu Poi' by Na. Muthukumar, who also wrote the lyrics for the film's soundtrack. The song effectively utilizes authentic southern Tamil Nadu rural slang and colloquial humor.

Keep listening

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