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Isaimozhi
Simla Special album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thanjavur Melam

From Simla Special · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Simla Special
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
4 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanjaavooru melam adichu
Naduvae singaara medai amachu
Kalyaanam katti koduppen
Ennirandu kannaattam unna ninaippen
Panatha thanneeraa alli iraippen haaan…
Thanjaavooru melam adichu
Naduvae singaara medai amachu
Kalyaanam katti koduppen
Ennirandu kannaattam unna ninaippen
Panatha thanneeraa alli iraippen
Kaanji nagar pattu vachu
Koyil kungumatha thottu vachu
Kaanji nagar pattu vachu
Koyil kungumatha thottu vachu
Then madhura malli vachu
Pazhani sandhanatha alli vachu
Thaai veettu seeraagavae
Naalum thangachi nee vaazhavae
Varugindra thai maadhamae
Kaadhal kalyaana vaibogamae
Varugindra thai maadhamae
Kaadhal kalyaana vaibogamae
Maayavaram pandhalittu
Naduvil pathamada paai virichu
Dhindukkal vethala vachu
Kooda kumbakonam seeval vachu
Kalyaana kolaagalam kaana
Kan vendum oraayiram
Ammaadi thandhaachammaa
Adhukku achaaram aiyaayiram hahaha
Sivagaasi vaanam vedichu
Caril maappillaiyum ponnaiyum vachu
Srirangam yaanai vachu
Chinna maulana naayan vachu
Unnaasai eedaeravae naangal
Ennaalum poraaduvom
Ennaasai thangaachiyae naangal
Anbaana annaachiyae
Ennaasai thangaachiyae
Naangal anbaana annaachiyae…haan
With the drums of Thanjavur beating,
And a lovely stage set up in the center,
I will hold your grand wedding,
I will cherish you like my own two eyes,
And spend money freely like water, haan...
With the drums of Thanjavur beating,
And a lovely stage set up in the center,
I will hold your grand wedding,
I will cherish you like my own two eyes,
And spend money freely like water!
Bringing fine silk from Kanchipuram,
And applying sacred temple kumkum,
Bringing fine silk from Kanchipuram,
And applying sacred temple kumkum,
Offering sweet Madurai jasmine flowers,
And generous handfuls of Palani sandalwood paste,
As wedding gifts from your maternal home,
So you may live happily every single day, little sister,
In the coming auspicious month of Thai,
Will be the grand festival of your love marriage!
In the coming auspicious month of Thai,
Will be the grand festival of your love marriage!
Setting up a grand wedding tent from Mayavaram,
And spreading a fine Pattamadai mat in the middle,
Offering fresh betel leaves from Dindigul,
Along with sliced betel nuts from Kumbakonam,
To take in the splendor of this wedding,
A person would need a thousand eyes!
Oh dear sister, we have already given you that,
Along with an advance of five thousand, hahaha!
Firing colorful Sivakasi fireworks into the sky,
Seating the bride and groom in a grand car,
Bringing a majestic elephant from Srirangam,
And playing the nadaswaram (traditional wedding pipe) of Chinna Moulana,
To make all your wishes come true,
We will strive hard every single day!
Oh my beloved little sister,
We are your loving elder brothers!
Oh my beloved little sister,
We are your loving elder brothers... haan!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This vibrant song portrays the deep affection of loving brothers planning a grand, luxurious wedding for their beloved younger sister. Expressing their eagerness to spare no expense, they list extravagant preparations utilizing regional specialties from across Tamil Nadu.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Cultural Imagery & Toponymy

“Kaanji nagar pattu vachu”

The lyrics uniquely utilize iconic cultural symbols tied to specific towns across Tamil Nadu (Thanjavur drums, Kanchipuram silk, Madurai jasmine, Pathamadai mats, Sivakasi fireworks) to evoke a rich sensory experience of a traditional Tamil wedding.

Simile (Upamai)

“Ennirandu kannaattam unna ninaippen”

The speaker compares the value of the sister to his own two eyes ('Ennirandu kannaattam'), emphasizing intense affection and care.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

“Kan vendum oraayiram”

Exaggerating the grandeur of the wedding by claiming one would need 'a thousand eyes' to take in the full splendor of the celebration.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vaali for the 1982 film 'Simla Special' starring Kamal Haasan, this song is famous for cleverly weaving together the traditional heritage items of Tamil Nadu towns—from Pathamadai mats to Sheik Chinna Moulana's classical nadaswaram music.

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