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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Themmaangu Dabukku Dabbaa

From Kumari · 1952

Lyricist
M. P. Sivan
Singer
Chorus
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kumari1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa
Chorus
Thaiyathaiya aattam poda poraengaThey are going to dance to the Thaiyathaiya rhythm
Bale thaiyathaiya aattam poda poraengaBravo! They are going to dance to the Thaiyathaiya rhythm
Kombaana murukku meesaiWith a twirled mustache shaped like horns
Kottai muli komaali paarLook at the big-eyed jester
Gumma raaja amma raani paarungaLook at the proud king and the mother queen
Chorus
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa
Chorus
Aiyaa kelunga aacharyangaGood sir, listen to this marvel
Meiyaana kadhai romba jorungaThis true story is very exciting
Nattai kedukkum ketta nayavanjagathai ottaTo chase away the wicked treachery that ruins the land
Naadagam aaduvom naangaWe will perform a street drama
Chorus
Kalakalappaai kannukku palapalappaaiLively and dazzling to the eyes
Kaalam polae kolam pottu kaattuvomingaeWe will show patterns drawn like changing times right here
Aama kolaakalamaai naangal nagarathilaeYes, with great pomp and celebration in the city
Doraa pottu koothaaduvomWe will put on disguises and dance in the street play
Ellaam vandhu paarungaEveryone, come and watch!
Chorus
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa
Themmaangu dabakku dappaFolk folk-style rhythm beat
Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaaThillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This chorus song serves as an energetic intro and street-play invitation in the movie Kumari (1952). The performers invite the city crowd to gather around and watch a vibrant street drama (Therukoothu) featuring caricatures like a twirled-mustachioed king, a queen, and a big-eyed clown. Beyond mere entertainment, the troupe proclaims that their performance aims to expose and banish evil deceit and moral corruption ruining the nation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sol-Adiyammudaiya Onomatopoeia (Sollalangaaram)

Themmaangu dabakku dappa

Rhythmic folk beats and rhythm syllables like 'Themmaangu dabakku dappa' and 'Thillaanaththaa dhimidhimithaa' create an immediate energetic musical cadence.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kombaana murukku meesai / Gumma raaja amma raani paarunga

The second consonant 'mma' matches in 'Kombaana' and 'Gumma', creating an internal rhythm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aiyaa kelunga aacharyanga / Meiyaana kadhai romba jorunga

Matching end sounds in 'aacharyanga' and 'romba jorunga' for catchy oral performance.

Simile (Upama Alankara / Uvamai)

Kaalam polae kolam pottu kaattuvomingae

The street play is compared to drawing patterns ('kolam') as dynamic and ever-changing as time itself ('Kaalam polae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan in his early career phase, 'Kumari' (1952) highlighted traditional folk theater aesthetics (Therukoothu) within early Tamil cinema storytelling.

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