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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thekkutheru Machane

From Ingeyum Oru Gangai · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Suseela, Gangai Amaran
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Details
Ingeyum Oru Gangai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thekku theru machchaanaeOh beloved cousin from the south street
Pakkam vara vekkam thadukkuthu aaththaadiOh my, shyness prevents me from coming close to you
Thekku theru machchaanaeOh beloved cousin from the south street
Pakkam vara vekkam thadukkuthu aaththaadiOh my, shyness prevents me from coming close to you
Ennamo pannuthae chinna vayasuSomething sweet and strange happens at this young age
Male
Vadakku theru vannakkiliOh colorful parrot from the north street
Vekkam vara sekka sevanthava needhanaaAre you the one who turned deep red when shyness struck?
Ennamo pannuthae chinna vayasuSomething sweet and strange happens at this young age
Male
Vadakku theru vannakkiliOh colorful parrot from the north street
Vekkam vara sekka sevanthava needhanaaAre you the one who turned deep red when shyness struck?
Male
Aaththoram thoppukkullaInside the grove by the riverbank
Paaththathu enna pachchakiliWhat did you see, little green parrot?
Female :Maaman Mogamthaanae sogamFemale: The lover's passion is indeed a sweet sorrow
Aala vidumo….oo….Will it let a person be?
Male
Aaththoram thoppukkullaInside the grove by the riverbank
Paaththathu enna pachchakiliWhat did you see, little green parrot?
Female :Maaman Mogamthaanae sogamFemale: The lover's passion is indeed a sweet sorrow
Aala vidumo….oo….Will it let a person be?
Male
Thookkam pochchu unna thediSleep has vanished searching for you
En manasu enni thavikuthu kannammaMy heart yearns painfully thinking of you, my dear
Un kobam om medaiyilOn the stage of your anger
Konjal mazhai thoovaatho…..Won't a rain of gentle caresses shower down?
Male
Vadakku theru vannakkiliOh colorful parrot from the north street
Vekkam vara sekka sevanthava needhanaaAre you the one who turned deep red when shyness struck?
Female
Ennamo pannuthae chinna vayasuSomething sweet and strange happens at this young age
Thekku theru machchaanaeOh beloved cousin from the south street
Pakkam vara vekkam thadukkuthu aaththaadiOh my, shyness prevents me from coming close to you
Male
Aalaagi aasa vachchaHaving grown up and fallen in love
Ambalam ellam anthapuramEven open public places feel like private palace chambers
Female :Maala tharum naalum varumFemale: The day of garlanding each other will arrive
Yaenthaan thudippo….oo….Why this restless longing?
Male
Aalaagi aasa vachchaHaving grown up and fallen in love
Ambalam ellam anthapuramEven open public places feel like private palace chambers
Female :Maala tharum naalum varumFemale: The day of garlanding each other will arrive
Yaenthaan thudippo….oo….Why this restless longing?
Male
Innum enna chinna ponnuAm I still just a little girl?
Engum athisayam pongum pudhusugam ammammaEverywhere wonders overflow with a brand new pleasure, oh my
Female :Naan pogum thanga radhamFemale: I am a moving golden chariot
En maela saanjaadum….Leaning and swaying towards me
Female
Thekku theru machchaanaeOh beloved cousin from the south street
Pakkam vara vekkam thadukkuthu aaththaadiOh my, shyness prevents me from coming close to you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic rural duet set in a village backdrop, depicting a young couple residing in neighboring streets (South Street and North Street). The heroine expresses her hesitation and bashfulness when approaching her lover, while the hero affectionately teases her blushing demeanor and compares her to a bright parrot. As they exchange tender thoughts, both acknowledge how youthful love brings sleepless nights, sweet restless longing, and transforms ordinary surroundings into enchanted places. They eagerly look forward to the day they get married and unite formally.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Vadakku theru vannakkili

The woman is metaphorically addressed as a colorful parrot ('vannakkili') from the north street.

Imagery

Vekkam vara sekka sevanthava needhanaa

Creates a vivid visual image of a shy bride blushing bright red ('sekka sevanthava').

Metaphor

Female :Naan pogum thanga radham

The speaker compares herself to a golden chariot ('thanga radham') moving gracefully.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thekku theru machchaanae / Pakkam vara vekkam thadukkuthu aaththaadi

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'The' and 'Pa' in consecutive rhythmic patterns.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1984 movie 'Ingeyum Oru Gangai' directed by Manivannan, starring Murali and Tara. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song uses local street names (Thekku Theru and Vadakku Theru) to ground the romance in authentic Tamil rural folk culture.

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