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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thakkalinna Thakkali

From Mouna Mozhi · 1992

Lyricist
Kasthuri Raja
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Deva
Details
Mouna Mozhi1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thakkalinna thakkali thaavani potta thakkaliTomato, tomato! A tomato wearing a half-saree!
Ada pappaalinna pappaali paruvam vandha pappaaliOh papaya, papaya! A papaya that has reached youth!
Pothi pothi veikkathadi neeDon't keep hiding and guarding yourself!
Hai sokki sokki nikkurendi naanHey, I stand here completely mesmerized!
Unnai suthi suthi nitham vandhuEncircling you every single day,
Kothi kothi thinna porenI am going to peck and eat you up!
Male
ThakkalinnaTomato...
Female
Thoodhaaga naan vara thaaralama tharaWhen I come as a messenger to give generously,
Poomaalai nee soodanumYou must wear the flower garland.
Chorus :Aama poomaalai nee soodanumYes, you must wear the flower garland.
Female :Heroonnu per sonnaa veeraappu koodathuJust because you are called a hero, do not act boastful!
Naanaaga thaan seranumI should join you out of my own willingness.
Chorus :Aama naanaaaga thaan seranamYes, she should join on her own.
Male
Ooyaama nee vandhu raakaala thookathaiyaeYou came relentlessly and stole away my night's sleep,
Nogaama kollaiyadichaeEffortlessly robbing me of my rest!
Paayaama thaekki vachu valibathu vegatha neeHolding back the rush of youth without letting it spill,
Pakkuvama mella odachaeYou deftly and gently broke through it!
Female :Koodathaiyaa koodathuNo way, sir, no way!
Un vegam romba polladhudhuYour speed is far too dangerous!
Female
MurungakkaanaaOh drumstick-like man!
Male
Maaradhu kadhal venaandi modhalLove will not change, so let us not conflict,
Thaangadhu un oodalYour lovers' spat is unbearable.
Chorus :Aama thaangathu un oodalYes, your lovers' spat is unbearable.
Male :Adi thaanaga yerum thalaadha mogamHey, an uncontrollable passion rises automatically,
Theradhu namm koodalOur togetherness will never end!
Chorus :Aama theeradhu namm koodalYes, our togetherness will never end!
Female
Adiyaathi nee ennna achaaram podamaOh my goodness, without paying any advance token,
Athanaiyum serthu kekkuraaYou are asking for everything all at once!
Pidivaatham pannatha kalyanam pannaamaDo not be stubborn without marrying me,
Kannam vechu thiruda paakuraeYou are trying to break in like a thief!
Male :Pogathamma pogathaeDon't go, my dear, don't go!
Enaasaiya thoondi pogaathaeDon't leave after provoking my desire!
Male
ThakkalinnaTomato...
Male
Pothi pothi veikkathadi neeDon't keep hiding and guarding yourself!
Haa sokki sokki nikkurendi naanHey, I stand here completely mesmerized!
Unnai suthi suthi nitham vandhuEncircling you every single day,
Kothi kothi thinna porenI am going to peck and eat you up!
Female
MurungakkaanaaOh drumstick-like man!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1992 Tamil movie 'Mouna Mozhi' is a playful, flirtatious folk duet written by Kasthuri Raja. The lovers engage in a lighthearted verbal banter filled with cheeky humor and romantic teasing. The male protagonist compares the heroine's youthful beauty to ripe, attractive fruits like tomatoes and papayas, expressing his overwhelming attraction and desire to be near her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor)

Thakkalinna thakkali thaavani potta thakkali

Comparing the heroine to a 'thakkali' (tomato) in a half-saree and a 'pappaali' (papaya) in her youth to symbolize freshness, sweetness, and physical attractiveness.

Adukkuthodar / Repetition for emphasis

Unnai suthi suthi nitham vandhu / Kothi kothi thinna poren

Doubled words like 'sutthi sutthi' (revolving) and 'kothi kothi' (pecking) enhance the rhythmic flow and playful intensity of the lyrics.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Thakkalinna thakkali thaavani potta thakkali / Ada pappaalinna pappaali paruvam vandha pappaali

The second consonant 'k' rhymes in 'Thakkali' and 'Pappaali', a classic Tamil poetic rhythm technique.

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Trivia

Written by Kasthuri Raja, this track showcases classic early-90s rural Tamil folk songwriting, known for using sensory, everyday agrarian metaphors (like fruits and vegetables) to convey youthful romance and playful teasing.

Keep listening

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