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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thookku Chattiya

From Ejamaan · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ejamaan1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Come come kainaatuCome come illiterate person!
Male :Ennanga ejamaanMale: What is it, master?
Thitturingha…(Dialogue)Are you scolding me? (Dialogue)
Male
Thooki paaruLift and check!
Thookku chattiyaaIs it the food carrier pot?
Male :Ada athana parthen…..(Dialogue)Male: Ah, I thought so! (Dialogue)
Male
Thokku chattiyaaThe food carrier pot...
Thooki parthuLift it up and check,
Moopam pudi daSniff it out, man!
Ethula enna irukkuthunuFind out what is inside,
Kandupudi daaDiscover it, man!
Male
Thokku chattiyaaThe food carrier pot...
Thooki parthuLift it up and check,
Moopam pudi daSniff it out, man!
Ethula enna irukkuthunuFind out what is inside,
Kandupudi daaDiscover it, man!
Male
Pala veetu soththu rusiTasting food from many homes,
Parthuputta kastamadaOnce you get used to it, it is hard to give up!
Oru veetil ithanaiyumAll these varieties in a single house,
Kedaikurathum kastamadaIs also hard to get!
Male
Yaarum parkaamaWithout anyone seeing,
Theriyaama thingonumYou must eat secretly!
Male :Therinji pochunaMale: If anyone finds out...
Male :Thalai kavizhndhu nikkonumMale: We'll have to stand with head hung low!
Male
Kedaichathellam eduthu veiTake whatever you get,
Mudinchathuna micham veiIf you can't finish, leave the rest!
Chorus
{Thokku chattiyaaThe food carrier pot...
Thooki parthuLift it up and check,
Moopam pudipomLet us sniff it out!
Ethula enna irukkuthunuFind out what is inside,
Kandupudipom} (3)Let us discover it!
Male
Kamman choruThe food carrier pot...
Kathirikka kootu irukkuLift it up and check,
Neththu vecha meen kulambuLet us sniff it out!
Ingae irukkuFind out what is inside,
Male
Keppa kazhiLet us discover it!
Kuchchi karuvaadum irukkuThe food carrier pot...
Saama chooru sanabu keeraiLift it up and check,
Paruppum irukkuLet us sniff it out!
Male
Porucha vaathuFind out what is inside,
Mutta vaasam…aahaa..aahaaLet us discover it!
Porucha vaathuPearl millet rice,
Mutta vaasamEggplant side dish is there!
Paruthi kattuYesterday's fish curry,
Varaikkum veesumIs right here!
Male
Amaa…Ragi porridge,
Male
Porucha vaathuAnd dried fish sticks are here!
Mutta vaasamLittle millet rice, hemp spinach,
Paruthi kattuAnd lentil dish are here!
Varaikkum veesumFried duck,
Male
Chetti naatuSmell of eggs... aha... aha...
Aachi suttaFried duck,
Mutta dosaiSmell of eggs,
Nakkil pesumAll the way to the cotton field,
Male
Tharigida thomIt wafts!
Tharigida thomYes...
Thathith thomFried duck,
Male
Nellu choorumSmell of eggs,
Kollu saarumAll the way to the cotton field,
Manasa kollaiIt wafts!
Adikkum paaruChettinad style,
Male
AiyooMade by grandmother,
Male
Chola choorumEgg dosa,
Pulicha moorumSpeaks to your tongue!
Rasichu rasichuTharigida thom,
Kuduchi paaruTharigida thom,
Male
Iiishhhh..Thathith thom,
Ada pulicha thanniPaddy rice,
Kuda serthuAnd horse gram soup,
Vengayatha kadika venumSteals your heart,
Poricha molagu vaththal odaJust look!
Karaichi karaichiAiyoo!
Kudikka venumSorghum rice,
Male
Yaarum parkaamaAnd sour buttermilk,
Theriyaama thingonumRelish and savor it,
Male :Therinji pochunaTry drinking it!
Male :Thalai kavizhndhu nikkonumIiishhhh..
Male
Kozhi kulambirukkuAh, with fermented rice water,
Koodi thingha thembhu irukkuCombine it,
Chorus
Aiyaa..ejamaan…(Dialogue)And bite on raw onions!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lively folk song from the movie Ejamaan (1993) revolves around a humorous interaction between a master and his assistant as they explore a delicious spread of traditional Tamil rustic dishes stored in food carrier pots (Thooku Chatti). The song playfully enumerates various local culinary delicacies—such as pearl millet rice, ragi porridge, dried fish, egg dosa, fermented rice water, and spicy chicken curry—highlighting the pure joy of rustic Tamil cooking. Through energetic rhythms and lighthearted dialogues, lyricist Vaali celebrates traditional village food culture while capturing the mischievous excitement of secretly indulging in a feast without getting caught.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nellu choorum / Kollu saarum

Repetition of the second consonant sound across lines creating rhythmic flow, as seen with 'llu' in 'Nellu' and 'Kollu'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Porucha vaathu / Paruthi kattu

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' across consecutive words/lines.

Personification

Mutta dosai / Nakkil pesum

Attributing human qualities like speaking to an egg dosa to convey how flavorful it tastes.

Olfactory Imagery

Porucha vaathu / Mutta vaasam / Paruthi kattu / Varaikkum veesum

Vivid sensory description appealing to the sense of smell to evoke appetite and nostalgia.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ejamaan (1993), starring Rajinikanth and Meena, features a iconic soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. This track is celebrated for its authentic representation of traditional Tamil village food culture and comedic lyrical exchanges.

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