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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thoondi Mullu

From Amarakavi · 1952

Lyricist
Suratha
Singer
T. R. Rajakumari
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Amarakavi1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thoondi mullu polae valaindhaPlucked from a plantain stalk curved like a fish hook
Vaazhai thaarilae parichudhungaPlucked right from the banana bunch, sir
Kaaivettu alla en kaippattu kaninjudhungaIt is not artificially ripened, it ripened by my touch, sir
Female
Paarungha thinnu paarungha velaya kelunghaLook here, taste and see, ask for the price
Neenga vaangaama enna merattadhinghaDo not intimidate me without buying
Ingha paarungha thinnu paarungha velaya kelunghaLook here, taste and see, ask for the price
Neenga vaangaama enna merattadhinghaDo not intimidate me without buying
Inga paarunghaLook here
Female
Kaasukku thaanunga kadanukku illaenghaIt is strictly for cash, not on credit, sir
Kaasukku thaanunga kadanukku illaenghaIt is strictly for cash, not on credit, sir
Koodaiyilae irukkum pazham konjam thaanunghaThe fruits left in the basket are only a few, sir
Koodaiyilae irukkum pazham konjam thaanunghaThe fruits left in the basket are only a few, sir
Neelamalai thottathulaFrom the garden in the Blue Mountains
Naethu paricha sarakkunghaIt is stock harvested just yesterday, sir
Paarungha thinnu paarungha velaya kelunghaLook here, taste and see, ask for the price
Neenga vaangaama enna merattadhinghaDo not intimidate me without buying
Inga paarunghaLook here
Female
Sevvazha pazham sirumalai pazhamRed bananas, Sirumalai bananas
Pachainaadam pazham irukkunghaAnd Pachainaadam bananas are available, sir
Male
Indhaa pullaeHey girl
Indha pullae andhi naeram aachaeHey girl, dusk has fallen
Female :Aana innaFemale: So what?
Male :Onna kandathumMale: The moment I saw you
Onna kandathum en manasu maaripochaeThe moment I saw you, my heart changed
Female :Adi aathadiFemale: Oh my goodness!
Male :HaeiMale: Hey!
Female
Vaanga …neengalum vaangaCome... you too come along
Kannukku kannu..paesuvomWe shall speak eye to eye
Aasaiyaagha naamae aaduvomWe shall dance with desire
Kannukku kannu..paesuvomWe shall speak eye to eye
Aasaiyaagha naamae aaduvom paaduvomWe shall dance and sing with desire
Female
Marathu melae koranghu paaruLook at the monkey atop the tree
Male :EngaeMale: Where?
Female :Adhoo angae andha kombilaeFemale: Right over there on that branch
Male :Illai pombalaMale: No, woman
Female :IllaiyaaFemale: Isn't it there?
Male :IllaiyaaMale: No
Female :Thenga kudumi machaan theduvaanFemale: My cousin with a coconut-tuft haircut will search for me
Aiyaiyoo thenga kudumi machaan theduvaanOh dear, my cousin with a coconut-tuft haircut will search for me
Neramaachu poren neramaachu porenIt is getting late, I am leaving, it is getting late, I am leaving
Naalaikku naan vaarenI will return tomorrow

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk song from Amarakavi (1952) depicts a vibrant dialogue involving a female fruit vendor selling fresh bananas. She calls out to potential buyers, boasting about the quality, natural ripening, and varieties of her fresh produce—including Sevvazhai, Sirumalai, and Pachainaadam bananas—while firmly declaring that she sells only for cash, not on credit. The song transitions into a playful flirtation when a male passerby expresses sudden affection for her. The vendor cleverly diverts his attention by pointing to a tree, jokes about her cousin looking for her, and excuses herself as dusk falls, promising to return the following day.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Thoondi mullu polae valaindha

Compares the natural bend of the banana stalk to the sharp curve of a fish hook ('Thoondi mullu').

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kaasukku thaanunga kadanukku illaengha

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of consecutive words ('Kaasukku', 'Kadanukku').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kannukku kannu..paesuvom / Aasaiyaagha naamae aaduvom paaduvom

Rhyming verbal endings ('paesuvom', 'aaduvom', 'paaduvom') creating a catchy musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Amarakavi (1952) featured music composed by G. Ramanathan and starred M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar alongside T. R. Rajakumari. The song uses lyricist Suratha's vivid folk diction to realistically capture the lively calls and banter of rural market vendors in Tamil Nadu.

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