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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanjavooru Malligai Idhu

From Saavi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Saavi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanjavur-u malligai idhuThis is a Jasmine flower from Thanjavur
Konjaama yaengi varuthuIt comes longing for a little affection
Thirunelveli dosai idhuThis is a dosai from Thirunelveli
Sambhara naadi varuthuIt comes seeking the sambar
Konja konja kooda irukkumAs you caress more and more, closeness grows
Kooda kooda ullam inikkumAs intimacy grows, the heart sweetens
Konja konja kooda irukkumAs you caress more and more, closeness grows
Kooda kooda ullam inikkumAs intimacy grows, the heart sweetens
Vaaiyyaa naalaachchuCome along sir, it has been many days!
Female
Thanjavur-u malligai idhuThis is a Jasmine flower from Thanjavur
Konjaama yaengi varuthuIt comes longing for a little affection
Thirunelveli dosai idhuThis is a dosai from Thirunelveli
Sambhara naadi varuthuIt comes seeking the sambar
Female
Nooru milli saarayam paarvaiyil ooththuvenI will pour a hundred milliliters of liquor through my gaze
Soodu innum thevayannaa porvaiyil poththuvaenIf you need more warmth, I will wrap you in a blanket
Ovvoru raththiri ovvoru mathiriEvery single night is of a different kind
Ovvoru raththiri ovvoru mathiriEvery single night is of a different kind
Konjuvaen minjuvaen naanoru mathiriI will coax and overpower, I am one of a kind
Female
Thanjavur-u malligai idhuThis is a Jasmine flower from Thanjavur
Konjaama yaengi varuthuIt comes longing for a little affection
Thirunelveli dosai idhuThis is a dosai from Thirunelveli
Sambhara naadi varuthuIt comes seeking the sambar
Female
Veettu vaasal munnaalae koottamthaan kooduthuA crowd gathers right in front of the house doorway
Veliyae vanthu ninnaalae nottamthaan poduthuIf I come and stand outside, everyone stares intently
Sillarai veesinaa sinthugal paaduvaenIf you throw coins, I will sing folk tunes
Sillarai veesinaa sinthugal paaduvaenIf you throw coins, I will sing folk tunes
Kanjanaa maarinaa jannala mooduvaenIf you turn into a miser, I will close the window
Female
Thanjavur-u malligai idhuThis is a Jasmine flower from Thanjavur
Konjaama yaengi varuthuIt comes longing for a little affection
Thirunelveli dosai idhuThis is a dosai from Thirunelveli
Sambhara naadi varuthuIt comes seeking the sambar
Konja konja kooda irukkumAs you caress more and more, closeness grows
Kooda kooda ullam inikkumAs intimacy grows, the heart sweetens
Konja konja kooda irukkumAs you caress more and more, closeness grows
Kooda kooda ullam inikkumAs intimacy grows, the heart sweetens
Vaaiyyaa naalaachchuCome along sir, it has been many days!
Female
Thanjavur-u malligai idhuThis is a Jasmine flower from Thanjavur
Konjaama yaengi varuthuIt comes longing for a little affection
Thirunelveli dosai idhuThis is a dosai from Thirunelveli
Sambhara naadi varuthuIt comes seeking the sambar

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and seductive song uses iconic geographical culinary and cultural references from Tamil Nadu to express temptation and romantic allure. The female protagonist compares her charms to famous regional specialties like Thanjavur jasmine flowers and Thirunelveli dosa searching for its complementary sambar, tantalizing her lover with promises of warmth, affection, and entertainment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thanjavur-u malligai idhu

The singer uses famous culinary and regional delicacies like Thanjavur jasmine and Thirunelveli dosa to metaphorically represent herself and her tantalizing beauty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nooru milli saarayam paarvaiyil ooththuven

The end words 'ooththuven' and 'poththuvaen' rhyme in alternate lines to maintain a rhythmic flow.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Konja konja kooda irukkum

The repetition of 'Konja konja' and 'Kooda kooda' creates an incremental poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by Vaali, this song relies on S. Janaki's signature expressive vocals. The movie Saavi (1985), directed by Karthik Raghunath, was an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's classic crime thriller Dial M for Murder.

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