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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thambala Sundariyae

From Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu · 1986

Lyricist
K. Kalimuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja, Vijayaramani, Saibaba
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaambaala sundhariyaeOh beauty holding the betel plate,
Thandhaanaa poduriyaeSinging rhythmically in joy,
Thaaviyae vaa mayilaeCome leaping to me, my peacock,
Male
Thookkam illaeThere is no sleep,
Thudikkum machaan manasuYour suitor's throbbing heart,
Paadudhadi una thaanIs singing only about you,
Dhenamum nenachuThinking of you every single day,
Innaikku vandhadhingu yogamGood fortune has arrived here today.
Male
Ishta kiliya konjam paaru paaruLook a little at the beloved parrot,
Ivaloda perumai konjam kooru kooruSpeak a little of her pride and glory,
Male
Pacha kodiya pathi paada maattenI will not sing praising the green flag,
Andha paavathil unga kooda saera maattenI will not join you in committing that sin.
Female
Ponna thaan pottri thaanBy praising the woman,
Paattum paadak koodaadhaaCan a song not be sung?
Male
Ammaiyai paadum vaayaal…With the mouth that sings of the Divine Mother...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…aaaAa… aa… aa… aa…aaa
Ammaiyai paadum vaayaalWith the mouth that sings of the Divine Mother,
Indha bommaiya paaduvaenoShall I sing about this mortal doll?
Abiraami ammaiyai paadum vaayaalWith the mouth that praises Goddess Abirami,
Indha bommaiya paaduvaenoShall I sing about this mortal doll?
Female
Thaangaadhu thaambaalamThe betel platter cannot bear it,
Thaalam thappaa pottaalaeIf the rhythm goes wrong.
Male
Thaambaala sundhariyaeOh beauty holding the betel plate,
Thandhaanaa poduriyaeSinging rhythmically in joy,
Thaaviyae vaa mayilaeCome leaping to me, my peacock.
Male
Thanga virundhu romba pochae pochaeOh no, the golden feast is completely lost,
Thaanaaga maari pochu paadha paadha yappaaThe path changed all on its own, oh my!
Male
Ippodhae thaevai indha paavai paavaiThis maiden is needed right now,
Onnoda saevai romba thaevai thaevaiYour presence and service are desperately needed.
Male
Ellaarum onnae thaanEveryone is one and the same,
Moonil onna serthukkoInclude it as one among the three.
Male
Edhu vendum sol manamaeTell me, oh mind, what do you want?
Female
Sonnaa thaangaadhu un manamaeIf told, your heart cannot bear it.
ManamaeOh mind,
Male
Edhu vendum sol manamaeTell me, oh mind, what do you want?
Female
Sonnaa thaangaadhu un manamaeIf told, your heart cannot bear it.
Male
AiyaiyoAlas!
Male
Thaambaala sundhariyaeOh beauty holding the betel plate,
Thandhaanaa poduriyaeSinging rhythmically in joy,
Thaaviyae vaa mayilaeCome leaping to me, my peacock,
Thookkam illaeThere is no sleep,
Thudikkum machaan manasuYour suitor's throbbing heart,
Paadudhadi una thaanIs singing only about you,
Dhenamum nenachuThinking of you every single day,
Innaikku vandhadhingu yogamGood fortune has arrived here today.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu' (1986) portrays a lighthearted yet philosophically rich dialogue between rural suitors and a devout singer. The young men sing enthusiastic folk praises to a beautiful maiden, comparing her to a peacock and parrot while longing for her company. In response, the devout perspective declines to sing worldly praises of a mortal woman ('doll'), arguing that a mouth reserved for praising Goddess Abirami (the Divine Mother) should not be used for superficial flattery. The lyric blends playful folk rhythms ('Thandhaanaa') with sacred devotion and witty philosophical banter, contrasting worldly romantic attraction with divine worship while capturing the vibrant essence of traditional Tamil folk performances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Head Alliteration)

Thaambaala sundhariyae / Thandhaanaa poduriyae / Thaaviyae vaa mayilae

Repetition of the initial 'Tha' consonant across consecutive lines creates a strong rhythmic cadence typical of folk music.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Ammaiyai paadum vaayaal / Indha bommaiya paaduvaeno

Rhyming of the second letter 'm' sound between 'Ammaiyai' and 'Bommaiya' creates a striking contrast between divine mother and human doll.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Ishta kiliya konjam paaru paaru

Doubling of words like 'paaru paaru', 'kooru kooru', and 'thaevai thaevai' adds emotional emphasis and aesthetic folk flavor.

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Indha bommaiya paaduvaeno

Comparing the woman to a 'mayil' (peacock), 'kili' (parrot), and 'bommai' (doll) serves both complimentary and philosophical arguments.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics for this song were penned by Dr. K. Kalimuthu, a prominent Tamil scholar, poet, and politician who served as a minister and Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The music for the film 'Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu' (1986) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja.

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