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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirumanamam

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kudumba Thalaivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thirumanamaam thirumanamaamIt is a wedding, it is a wedding!
Theruvengum oorvalamaamThere is a procession all over the street!
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Male
Thirumanamaam thirumanamaamIt is a wedding, it is a wedding!
Theruvengum oorvalamaamThere is a procession all over the street!
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Male
Koorai naattu pudavai kattiDraped in a traditional bridal saree,
KunindhiruppaalaamShe will stand with her head bowed down.
Oru koodai niraiyum poovai thalaiyilA basket full of flowers on her head,
SumandhiruppaalaamShe will be carrying.
Male
Koorai naattu pudavai kattiDraped in a traditional bridal saree,
KunindhiruppaalaamShe will stand with her head bowed down.
Oru koodai niraiyum poovai thalaiyilA basket full of flowers on her head,
SumandhiruppaalaamShe will be carrying.
Male
Saera naattu yaanai thandhamLike the ivory of the Chera kingdom's elephant,
PoliruppaalaamShe will look grand.
Saera naattu yaanai thandhamLike the ivory of the Chera kingdom's elephant,
PoliruppaalaamShe will look grand.
Nalla seeragasambaa arisi polaLike fine Seeraga Samba rice,
SirithiruppaalaamShe will be smiling softly.
Sirithiruppaalaam… ohoh ho hoiShe will be smiling softly... ohoh ho hoi!
Male
Thirumanamaam thirumanamaamIt is a wedding, it is a wedding!
Theruvengum oorvalamaamThere is a procession all over the street!
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Male
Sembarathi poovai polaLike a red hibiscus flower,
SevandhiruppaalaamShe will blush red.
Naisu silukku thuniyai polaLike a piece of fine silk cloth,
Kaattril asaindhiruppaalaamShe will sway softly in the wind.
Male
Sembarathi poovai polaLike a red hibiscus flower,
SevandhiruppaalaamShe will blush red.
Naisu silukku thuniyai polaLike a piece of fine silk cloth,
Kaattril asaindhiruppaalaamShe will sway softly in the wind.
Male
Seppu chilai pola urunduRounded like a sculpted bronze statue,
TherandiruppaalaamShe will look shapely and refined.
Seppu chilai pola urunduRounded like a sculpted bronze statue,
TherandiruppaalaamShe will look shapely and refined.
Nalla saelam jillaa maambazham polLike a ripe mango from Salem district,
KanindhiruppaalaamShe will look lush and sweet.
Male
Thirumanamaam thirumanamaamIt is a wedding, it is a wedding!
Theruvengum oorvalamaamThere is a procession all over the street!
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Male
Oorvalathil vandhaval yaarWho is the woman who came in the procession?
KooradiyammaaTell me, my dear!
Aval udanirunda maappillai thaanWho is the groom who was beside her?
YaaradiyammaaTell me, my dear!
Male
Oorvalathil vandhaval yaarWho is the woman who came in the procession?
KooradiyammaaTell me, my dear!
Aval udanirunda maappillai thaanWho is the groom who was beside her?
YaaradiyammaaTell me, my dear!
Male
Maalai soodum manamagalumThe bride wearing the wedding garland,
Nee thaandiyammaaIs none other than you, my dear!
Maalai soodum manamagalumThe bride wearing the wedding garland,
Nee thaandiyammaaIs none other than you, my dear!
Indha manamaganai kan thirandhuOpen your eyes and look at this groom,
PaaradiyammaaLook at him, my dear!
Paaradiyammaa… oho ho ho… hoi… oho…Look at him, my dear... oho ho ho... hoi... oho...
Male
Thirumanamaam thirumanamaamIt is a wedding, it is a wedding!
Theruvengum oorvalamaamThere is a procession all over the street!
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.
Oorvalathin naduvinilae oruthi varuvaalaamIn the middle of the procession, a woman will come.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This cheerful celebratory song describes a grand wedding procession winding through the street. The narrator vividly describes the hypothetical bride, painting a poetic picture of her grace and beauty through traditional Tamil cultural imagery—comparing her smile, complexion, and demeanor to fine Seeraga Samba rice, bright hibiscus flowers, smooth silk, bronze sculptures, and sweet Salem mangoes. Towards the climax, a playful romantic twist is revealed: the narrator teasingly reveals that the listener herself is the beautiful bride, urging her to open her eyes and gaze upon her groom. Written by Kannadasan, the song captures the joy, playful teasing, and warmth of traditional South Indian wedding celebrations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nalla seeragasambaa arisi pola / Sirithiruppaalaam

Compares her soft smile to fine grains of Seeraga Samba rice.

Simile (Upamai)

Sembarathi poovai pola / Sevandhiruppaalaam

Compares her blushing complexion to a vibrant red hibiscus flower.

Simile (Upamai)

Nalla saelam jillaa maambazham pol / Kanindhiruppaalaam

Compares her sweetness and maturity to a ripe mango from Salem district.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Thirumanamaam thirumanamaam / Theruvengum oorvalamaam

Repetition of initial consonants ('Th', 'S') across lines creating a melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kudumba Thalaivan (1962) features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the film's iconic musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this specific duet was rendered by legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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