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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thangachi Kalukkoru

From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vellaiya Thevan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Anbu seedhanam thara naan dhinamTo give love as a dowry gift, every day
Ninaiththaen oo……oo…oo….I thought, oh... oh... oh...
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Male
Ponnaalae valai soottiAdorning with bangles made of gold
Pudhu vairam nagai poottiWearing jewelry with fresh diamonds
Kalyaana vaazhththukka naan sollaTo convey my wedding blessings
En aasai enai vaattaWhile my desire torments me
Adhai naanum niraivettraTo fulfill that desire
Rajathi rajaavum naan allaI am no king of kings
Male
Nesamum anbum ennidamthaanAffection and love are all I have
Naan athai thanthaen unnidamthaanAnd I have given those to you
Aaruyir annan yaezhaithaanYour beloved brother is just a poor man
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Anbu seedhanam thara naan dhinamTo give love as a dowry gift, every day
Ninaiththaen oo……oo…oo….I thought, oh... oh... oh...
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Female
Naal thorum udal vaadiWasting your body day after day
Enakkaaga porul thaediSearching for wealth on my behalf
Nee kanda thunbangal pothaathaaAren't the hardships you faced enough?
Nee thanthaai nalam paadiWishing my well-being, you gave
Oru roopaai oru kodiOne rupee, which is worth a crore
Nee seitha seer endru aagaathaaWon't that count as the wedding gift you made?
Female
Veroru mannin mangai ivalThough she is a maiden from a different land
Aayinum annan thangai ivalYet she is a sister to this brother
Paasangal endrum neegaathuThis bond of love will never fade
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Anbu seedhanam thara naan dhinamTo give love as a dowry gift, every day
Ninaiththaen oo……oo…oo….I thought, oh... oh... oh...
Male
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties
Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusuA golden anklet for younger sister's feet
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusuA pearl necklace, nose rings of ten varieties

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thangachi Kaalukkoru Thanga Kolusu is a poignant melody celebrating the pure, emotional bond between a brother and sister. The brother laments his financial inability to bestow lavish gold and diamond gifts on his sister for her wedding, offering instead his boundless love and blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliteration (Monnai)

Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu

Repetition of the 'Th' consonant sound in 'Thangachi' and 'thanga' within the same line creates a rhythmic auditory flow.

Hyperbole / Value Metaphor

Oru roopaai oru kodi

Equating a single rupee given out of love to a crore rupees elevates emotional affection over material wealth.

Anaphora (Refrain)

Thangachi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu / Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusu

The repeating chorus highlights the brother's persistent desire to adorn his sister with precious gifts.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1990 film Vellaiya Thevan starring Ramki and Seetha, this song written by Vaali highlights the classic Tamil cinematic motif of selfless sibling love.

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