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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sivappu Kallu Mookuthi

From Ellorum Nallavare · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Ellorum Nallavare1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sevappu kallu mookkuththiRed stone nose-ring,
Sirikka vandha maan kuttiLittle deer that came smiling,
Thanga mugathilaOn your golden face,
Kungkuma potta vachukkittuWearing a dot of kumkum,
Nee engadi poraWhere are you off to, girl,
Sungidi selaiyai kattikittuDraped in a Sungudi saree?
Male
Sevappu kallu mookkuththiRed stone nose-ring,
Sirikka vandha maan kuttiLittle deer that came smiling,
Ahaa ..thanga mugathilaAha... on your golden face,
Kungkuma potta vachukkittuWearing a dot of kumkum,
Nee engadi poraWhere are you off to, girl,
Sungidi selaiyai kattikittuDraped in a Sungudi saree?
Female
Thaan pora pokkilAlong her own path,
Maan kutti pogumThe little deer goes,
Engennuthaan sollumoWho knows where she will say she goes?
Thaan pora pokkilAlong her own path,
Maan kutti pogumThe little deer goes,
Engennuthaan sollumoWho knows where she will say she goes?
Pesaadha maanaiFor the silent deer,
Thedaamal thediWithout searching, yet seeking,
Pinnaalae yaar vandhadhoWho came following behind?
Male
Sevappu kallu mookkuththiRed stone nose-ring,
Sirikka vandha maan kuttiLittle deer that came smiling,
Ahaa…thanga mugathilaAha... on your golden face,
Kungkuma potta vachukkittuWearing a dot of kumkum,
Nee engadi poraWhere are you off to, girl,
Sungidi selaiyai kattikittuDraped in a Sungudi saree?
Chorus
…………………………….....
Female
Manasu vachen ommelae..I fell for you in my heart,
Maraichu vachen sollaamaeI kept it hidden without speaking,
Oh manasu vachen ommelae..Oh, I fell for you in my heart,
Maraichu vachen sollaamaeI kept it hidden without speaking,
Male
Appadi cholladi singaari..Say it like that, beautiful girl,
Anachu kolladi oyyaariEmbrace me, stylish girl,
Appadi cholladi singaari..Say it like that, beautiful girl,
Anachu kolladi oyyaariEmbrace me, stylish girl,
Female
Sirichu sirichuLaughing and smiling,
Nerungi vandhaaIf she comes close,
Enakku sandhegamI get suspicious,
Male
Nerungi nerungiGetting closer and closer,
Pazhagi vittaaOnce acquainted,
Irukku sandhoshamThere is happiness,
Female
Puthusaa oru dhinusaaSomething new and unique,
Ila vayasaa vandha parisaaIs it youth or a gift that arrived?
Male
Sevappu kallu mookkuththiRed stone nose-ring,
Sirikka vandha maan kuttiLittle deer that came smiling,
Ahaa…thanga mugathilaAha... on your golden face,
Kungkuma potta vachukkittuWearing a dot of kumkum,
Nee engadi poraWhere are you off to, girl,
Sungidi selaiyai kattikittuDraped in a Sungudi saree?
Male
Therukkadhavai thaal pottuLatching the street-facing door,
Velakku vachu paai pottuLighting the lamp and laying the mat,
Therukkadhavai thaal pottuLatching the street-facing door,
Velakku vachu paai pottuLighting the lamp and laying the mat,
Female
Araicha sandhanam nee poosaYou apply ground sandalwood paste,
Adutha kadhaiya naan pesaI speak of what happens next,
Araicha sandhanam nee poosaYou apply ground sandalwood paste,
Adutha kadhaiya naan pesaI speak of what happens next,
Male
Vidiya vidiya thoongaamaeWithout sleeping till dawn,
MuzhichiruppomaaShall we stay awake?
Female :Vidinja poravu nadandhadhellaamFemale: After dawn, everything that transpired,
NenachiruppomaaShall we reminisce about?
Male
Ahaa thiru naalAha, a grand auspicious day,
Onnu varalaam ini tharalaamMay come now, may grant us joy,
Thandhu peralaam..Give and receive happiness...
Female
Ahaa.. sarigai pattu maappillai..Aha... the groom in zari silk...
Male :Ahaa…Male: Aha...
Female :Mayakka vandha aambillai..Female: The man who came to enchant...
Male :Appadi podu..Male: That's the way!
Female
Sarigai pattu maappillaiThe groom in zari silk,
Mayakka vandha aambillaiThe man who came to enchant,
Veththalai paakku vaikkira thedhiThe date to offer betel leaves and nuts,
Solli vachaanHe has fixed,
Ennai kalla sirippila kollaiyadichadhuStealing my heart with a mischievous smile,
Enna machaanWhat is this, my beloved?
Male
{Ahaaaa ahaa{Ahaaaa ahaa
Female :Oooh oohh} (2)Female: Oooh oohh} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from 'Ellorum Nallavare' (1975) captures a romantic exchange between two lovers teasing each other about their affection and future union. The male protagonist admires the heroine's traditional appearance—her ruby nose-ring, golden complexion, kumkum mark, and vibrant Sungudi saree—comparing her movements to a timid yet graceful deer. As the banter unfolds, both confess their long-suppressed feelings, shifting from bashful secrecy to joyful acceptance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

Sirikka vandha maan kutti

Comparing the heroine to a playful deer ('Maan kutti') and describing her face as golden ('Thanga mugathila').

Emonaid / Alliteration (Modhai)

Puthusaa oru dhinusaa / Ila vayasaa vandha parisaa

Repetition of initial phonemes in consecutive words or lines such as 'Puthusaa' and 'parisaa'.

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Appadi cholladi singaari.. / Anachu kolladi oyyaari

End-rhyming words used to enhance musical rhythm ('singaari' and 'oyyaari').

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyrics written by Kannadasan for 'Ellorum Nallavare' (1975). The song highlights traditional Tamil attire and aesthetic accents such as the iconic Madurai Sungudi saree and red stone nose-studs.

Keep listening

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