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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thenna Mara Thoppukulle

From Michael Raj · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Michael Raj1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaShe will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaaShe will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaShe will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaaShe will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Male
Intha oorukkulla ava oru azhagiShe is a beauty in this town
Intha rani kitta kachchithama pazhgiGetting along perfectly with this queen
Ava ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaenI will enter her golden heart
Female
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvaeI will come inside the coconut grove, I will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaenI will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvaeI will come inside the coconut grove, I will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaenI will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Female
Namma oorukulla naan oru azhagiI am a beauty in our town
Enna vachhcirukka kachchithamma pazhagiHaving kept me with you, bonding perfectly
Intha ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaenI will enter this golden heart
Male
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaShe will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaaShe will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Male
Pachchakili koththunathu sevanthirukkuWhere the green parrot pecked, it has turned red
Sembavala odhattula siripedhukku….aa…Why this smile on coral-red lips?
Female :Thottathula manmathanin kaaththadichchuFemale: The breeze of Cupid blew in the garden
Neththu vachcha ottuch chedi pooththiruchchiThe grafted plant planted yesterday has bloomed
Male
Panju meththai enakkangu virichchaachuA cotton mattress has been spread for me there
Paai virikka vera edam kedachchaachuAnother place has been found to spread the mat
Female :Thanni kodam thookkiyittu nadanthaalaeFemale: When walking carrying the water pot
Thalumbuthu en manasu mamaMy heart sloshes over, uncle
Male :Ada naanirukken paaththukkiraenMale: Ah, I am here to take care of it
Aaththu pakkam vaammaaCome near the riverbank, dear girl
Female
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvaeI will come inside the coconut grove, I will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaenI will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Male :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaMale: She will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaaShe will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Female
Macchu veedu onnu angu unakkirukkuYou have a multi-storey house over there
Mannu veedu kattikkira nenappedhukku haaWhy the thought of building a mud house? Ha
Male :Mannu veedu katturathu sarithaammaaMale: Building a mud house is right, my dear
Chinna veedu enakkonnu venaammaaI don't need a second mistress' house
Female
Pakkaththula paththu peru irukkaiyilaeWhen ten people are around nearby
Pakkuvamaa eppadi nee kooppuduveHow will you call me discreetly?
Male :Veththalaiyil sunnaamba thadavi kittuMale: Applying lime on a betel leaf
Veralaala jaadai seiyallaamaaShall I make a gesture with my fingers?
Female :Ada kammaangara ooraththila kaaththiruppaen aamaaFemale: Ah, I will wait at the edge of the lake bund, yes
Male
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaShe will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaaShe will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Female :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvaeFemale: I will come inside the coconut grove, I will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaenI will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Male
Intha oorukulla ava oru azhagiShe is a beauty in this town
Female :Enna vachchirukka kachchithammaa pazhagiFemale: Keeping me close and bonding perfectly
Male :Ava ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaenMale: I will enter her golden heart
Female
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvaeI will come inside the coconut grove, I will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaenI will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom
Male :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaaMale: She will come inside the coconut grove, she will come
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa……She will give a pearl from the Southern Pandyan kingdom...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a classic romantic folk-style duet between two lovers expressing their affection and playful banter. The lovers exchange promises to meet secretly in a quiet coconut grove, where they compare their affection to precious pearls from the Pandyan region. Through rural metaphors—such as blooming grafted plants, carrying water pots, and secret signals using betel leaves—the couple teases each other about marriage, social propriety, and secret rendezvouses by the riverbank and lake bund. The song captures the playful charm and innocence of rural romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa

'Thenpandi muththu' (Pearl of the Southern Pandyan kingdom) is used metaphorically to symbolize a precious kiss or a sweet loving gesture.

Emoni / Anaphora

Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa

Repetition of the phrase 'varuvaa varuvaa' and 'varuvaen varuvae' at the end of lines creates rhythmic cadence and heightens anticipation.

Imagery

Veththalaiyil sunnaamba thadavi kittu

Visual imagery of rural life like betel leaves, water pots, mud houses, and coconut groves evokes a strong sensory setting.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Michael Raj' (1987) stars Raghuvaran in the lead role, featuring music composed by Chandrabose with lyrics crafted by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha.

Keep listening

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