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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanjaavoor Bommai Pole

From Pudhiya Pathai – 1960 · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
Jikki, Group
Music director
Master Venu
Details
Pudhiya Pathai – 19601960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanjavur bommai polaeLike a Tanjore bobble-head doll
Thalaiyaattum ponnuA girl who nods her head
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannuCame the darling girl
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannu…Came the darling girl...
Chorus
Thanjavur bommai polaeLike a Tanjore bobble-head doll
Thalaiyaattum ponnuA girl who nods her head
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannuCame the darling girl
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannu…Came the darling girl...
Female
Panthaadum mattai thookkiCarrying a playing bat
Ponaaraam annaachchiThe elder brother went
Paaththaaraam antha pennaiHe saw that girl
Appothu ennaachchiWhat happened then?
Chorus
Panthaadum mattai thookkiCarrying a playing bat
Ponaaraam annaachchiThe elder brother went
Paaththaaraam antha pennaiHe saw that girl
Appothu ennaachchiWhat happened then?
Female
Thannaalae ullam irandumOn their own, both their hearts
Onnaagi pochuBecame united as one
Pin thaai thanthai sammathikkaThen with the consent of their parents
Kalyaanam aachchuThe wedding took place
Pin thaai thanthai sammathikkaThen with the consent of their parents
Kalyaanam aachchuThe wedding took place
Chorus
Thanjavur bommai polaeLike a Tanjore bobble-head doll
Thalaiyaattum ponnuA girl who nods her head
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannuCame the darling girl
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannu…Came the darling girl...
Female
Yaezhu naal thirumanamaaiA wedding lasting seven days
Evar vanthaalum sappaadaamA feast for whoever comes
Aeroplanilae inaiyillaaAn matchless procession
OorvalamaamIn an airplane
Female
Parisaaga vantha saamaanThe goods received as gifts
Palakodi perumaamAre worth many crores
Adhai paarththaalae pasiyellaamJust by looking at them
Parnthodi vidumaamAll hunger flies away
Adhai paarththaalae pasiyellaamJust by looking at them
Parnthodi vidumaamAll hunger flies away
Chorus
Thanjavur bommai polaeLike a Tanjore bobble-head doll
Thalaiyaattum ponnuA girl who nods her head
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannuCame the darling girl
Kai thaalamum pottu konduClapping her hands to the rhythm
Vanthaalaam kannu…Came the darling girl...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted and joyful song uses a playful story-like narrative to describe a blooming romance and an extravagant wedding. It begins by comparing a beautiful girl to a iconic Thanjavur head-nodding doll who claps along to the rhythm. A young man carrying a bat meets her, and they fall in love instantly. With their parents' blessings, they marry in grand fashion. The song humorously exaggerates the grand scale of the wedding—describing a seven-day celebration with endless feasts, an airplane procession, and millions worth of lavish gifts so wondrous that merely looking at them satisfies all hunger.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Thanjavur bommai polae

Compares the girl's playful nodding and movements to a traditional Thanjavur bobble-head doll ('Thanjavur bommai polae').

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

Thanjavur bommai polae / Thalaiyaattum ponnu

Repetition of the 'Tha' sound at the start of adjacent words or lines ('Thanjavur' / 'Thalaiyaattum').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Aeroplanilae inaiyillaa Oorvalamaam

Exaggeration of the wedding procession taking place in an airplane and gifts so valuable they fly hunger away.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 'Thanjavur Bommai' (Tanjore Doll) is a famous traditional Indian handcrafted toy made of terracotta or papier-mâché, known for its continuous head-nodding motion. It serves as a classic cultural motif in Tamil lyricism to describe rhythmic, graceful, or playful head movements.

Keep listening

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