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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Solam Vethakkaiyilae

From 16 Vayathinile · 1977

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
16 Vayathinile1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Solam vethakkaiyilae… aeWhile sowing the corn...
Solli puttu pona pullaeOh girl who left after giving me her word,
Solam vethakkaiyilae..While sowing the corn...
Solli puttu pona pullaeOh girl who left after giving me her word,
Male
Solam velanju kaathu kidakku..The corn has matured and is waiting to be harvested...
Sodikkili ingae irukku…Your matching parrot partner is right here...
{Sonna sollu enna aachu{What happened to the word you gave me,
Thangamae kattazhagiMy golden, beautifully sculpted girl?
Enakku nallathoru bathila solluGive me a good answer,
Kunguma pottazhagi} (2) heiOh beauty wearing the red kumkum bindi!} (2) Hey
Chorus
………………………….
Male
Maanae en malligaiyaeMy deer, my jasmine flower,
Marutha marikkozhunthaeMy fragrant marjoram leaf of the village,
Thaenae thinaikkaruthaeMy honey, my ear of millet,
Thirunaalu thaerazhagaeOh beauty resembling a grand festival chariot!
Male
Unna nenakkaiyilaeWhen I think of you,
Enna maranthaenadiI forget myself, my girl!
Ponnae ponnmayilaeMy precious treasure, my golden peacock,
Ennam thavikkuthadiMy heart writhes in yearning!
Male
Solam vethakkaiyilae… aeWhile sowing the corn...
Solli puttu pona pullaeOh girl who left after giving me her word,
Solam velanju kaathu kidakku..The corn has matured and is waiting...
Sodikkili ingae irukku…Your matching parrot partner is right here...
Sonna sollu enna aachuWhat happened to the word you gave me,
Thangamae kattazhagiMy golden, beautifully sculpted girl?
Enakku nallathoru bathila solluGive me a good answer,
Kunguma pottazhagiOh beauty wearing the red kumkum bindi!
Male
Maariyamman koyililaeIn the Mariamman temple,
Maaraama kaipidikkaTo hold your hand in marriage without fail,
Naalum onnu paathu vanthenI picked an auspicious day and arrived,
Nalla neram kettu vanthenI inquired about the favorable time and arrived.
Amman manasirunthaIf the Goddess has a mind to bless us,
Arul vanthu serumadiHer grace will reach us, my girl!
Kannae karungkuyilaeMy apple of the eye, my sweet black cuckoo,
Nalla kaalam poranthathadiA good time has finally dawned for us!
Chorus
Heyy hey heyy heyyy…..(2)Heyy hey heyy heyyy…..(2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil folk-style song portrays a young man expressing his deep romantic yearning to his beloved in a rural setting. He reminds her of a promise she made during the corn-sowing season. Now that the crops have matured, he compares the ready harvest to his own readiness to marry her, gently prompting her for a positive response.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Alliteration

Solam vethakkaiyilae... Solli puttu pona pullae... Sodikkili ingae irukku...

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Maanae en malligaiyae / Marutha marikkozhunthae / Thaenae thinaikkaruthae

The lover addresses his beloved using pastoral metaphors such as 'Malligai' (Jasmine), 'Marikkozhunthu' (Marjoram), 'Thinaikkaruthu' (Millet ear), and 'Ponnmayil' (Golden peacock) to highlight her natural beauty.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Maanae / Thaenae / Ponnae

The second consonant sound matches across lines, creating a rhythmic lyricism characteristic of Tamil folk poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

16 Vayathinile (1977), directed by Bharathiraja, was a pathbreaking movie in Tamil cinema history as it moved production out of indoor studios into authentic rural landscapes. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and remains iconic for bringing authentic Tamil folk melodies into mainstream film music.

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