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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Summa Summa

From Alli Petra Pillai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Alli Petra Pillai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Summaa summa sirichchukkittuSmiling playfully without any reason
Sogusu nadai pottukittuWalking with a stylish, graceful gait
Summaa summa sirichchukkittuSmiling playfully without any reason
Sogusu nadai pottukittuWalking with a stylish, graceful gait
Thulli thulli aadi varum unnai kandaaSeeing you coming, dancing and leaping around
Suththi suththi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn around to look at you?
Female
Kummaalam pottukittuMaking merry and having fun
Kudhirai vandi oottikkittuDriving a horse-drawn cart
Kummaalam pottukittuMaking merry and having fun
Kudhirai vandi oottikkittuDriving a horse-drawn cart
Themmaangu paadi varum unnai kandaaSeeing you coming, singing a folk melody
Thirumbi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn back to look?
Male
Manjal poosi kulicha mugam minuminukkaWith your turmeric-coated bathed face shining brightly
Mayakkamoottum paarvaiyilae nilaverikkaMoonlight glowing in your mesmerizing gaze
Manjal poosi kulicha mugam minuminukkaWith your turmeric-coated bathed face shining brightly
Mayakkamoottum paarvaiyilae nilaverikkaMoonlight glowing in your mesmerizing gaze
Marukkozhunthu kondaiyilae kamakamakkaFragrance wafting from sweet marjoram in your hair bun
Kurumbu pechai ketpavanga kirukirukkaMaking those who hear your mischievous words feel dizzy
Male
Haei thulli thulli aadi varumHey, coming along dancing and leaping
Unnai kandaaSeeing you
Suththi suththi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn around to look at you?
Female
Silukku satta kaaththupattu silusilukkaThe silk shirt rustling gently in the wind
Thanga silaiyai pola thegakattu palapalakkaThe golden statue-like physique gleaming brightly
Silukku satta kaaththupattu silusilukkaThe silk shirt rustling gently in the wind
Thanga silaiyai pola thegakattu palapalakkaThe golden statue-like physique gleaming brightly
Theru vazhiyae vandi saththam kadakadakkaThe sound of the cart rattling down the street
Kayil chinnanjiru saattai vaaru thudithudikkaHolding a tiny whip strap twitching in hand
Female
Themmaangu paadi varum unnai kandaaSeeing you coming, singing a folk melody
Thirumbi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn back to look?
Male
Puruvamenum vil valaichchuBending eyebrows like a bow
Paruvamenum ambavachchuSetting youth as an arrow
Pullimaan pol kuthichchuLeaping like a spotted deer
Velli meenai kannil vachchuHolding silver fish in your eyes
Male
Thulli thulli aadi varumComing along dancing and leaping
Unnai kandaaSeeing you
Suththi suththi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn around to look at you?
Female
Varupavanga ellorukkumTo everyone who comes along
Arumaiyaana vazhiyaikkaattiShowing a wonderful path
Pudhumaiyaana paathaiyilaeOn a novel, new path
Povatharkku aasai moottiKindling the desire to travel upon it
Female
Themmaangu paadi varum unnai kandaaSeeing you coming, singing a folk melody
Thirumbi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn back to look?
Male
Hei thulli thulli aadi varumHey, coming along dancing and leaping
Unnai kandaaSeeing you
Suththi suththi paarkkaatha kannum undaaIs there any eye that would not turn around to look at you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful, romantic duet from the film 'Alli Petra Pillai' (1959) depicts a charming exchange between a young woman and a horse-cart driver. The hero and heroine tease and praise each other's charm, demeanor, and attire while traveling together. The heroine describes the hero's lively cart driving, stylish silk shirt, and endearing demeanor, while the hero admires her radiant skin, fragrant flower-decked hair, and mesmerizing gazes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ono-Matopoeia (Rettai Kilavi)

Manjal poosi kulicha mugam minuminukka

Use of rhythmic Tamil sound-words like 'mini-minukka', 'kama-kamakka', 'pala-palakka', and 'kada-kadakka' to evoke sensory brilliance, fragrance, and sound.

Metaphor (Uruvagom)

Puruvamenum vil valaichchu / Paruvamenum ambavachchu

Describing eyebrows as a bent bow ('puruvamenum vil') and youth as an arrow ('paruvamenum ambu').

Simile (Uwamai)

Thanga silaiyai pola thegakattu palapalakka

Comparing the physical form to a gleaming golden statue ('Thanga silaiyai pola') and movement to a leaping deer ('Pullimaan pol kuthichchu').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Ethirai)

Puruvamenum vil valaichchu / Paruvamenum ambavachchu

Repetition of initial consonants and matching second letters across lines (e.g., 'Puruvamenum' / 'Paruvamenum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Alli Petra Pillai' (1959) featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. The duet between T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela showcases the quintessential mid-20th-century Tamil folk-pop rhythm, capturing rural charm and lively romance.

Keep listening

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