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Lyrics & meaning

Thoondiyile Maattikkittu Muzhikkudhu

From Arasilangkumari · 1961

Lyricist
Muthukoothan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Arasilangkumari1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thondiyilae maatikittuGetting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Meenu thondiyilae maatikittuThe fish getting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Female
Adhu thudikiradha paarthuWatching it wriggle and squirm
Kannu rasikudhu..ee..eeThe eyes relish the sight...ee..ee
Adhu thudikiradha paarthuWatching it wriggle and squirm
Kannu rasikudhu..ee..eeThe eyes relish the sight...ee..ee
Female
Thondiyilae maatikittuGetting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Female
Thaandi thaandi parthipittuJumping again and again after seeing it
SabikkuthuIt curses its fate
Thaandi thaandi parthipittuJumping again and again after seeing it
SabikkuthuIt curses its fate
Female
Thappi oda vazhi illamaHaving no way to escape and run away
ThavikkudhuIt suffers in agony
Thappi oda vazhi illamaHaving no way to escape and run away
ThavikkudhuIt suffers in agony
Meenu thondiyilae maatikittuThe fish getting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Female
Kozhai ellam veera nadai…Cowards walk with a heroic stride...
{Kozhai ellam veera nadai{Cowards walk with a heroic stride
NadakkudhuAnd walk proudly
Namma koothaarai venumunnaeThey intentionally despise
Verukkudhu} (2)Our folk performers/artists} (2)
Female
Ezhaiyinna kaalil pottuIf someone is poor, beneath their feet
MidhikkudhuThey trample them
Ezhaiyinna kaalil pottuIf someone is poor, beneath their feet
MidhikkudhuThey trample them
Female
Indha meena pola pennaiJust like this trapped fish, a woman
Ulagham madhikkudhuIs treated by this world
Indha meena pola pennaiJust like this trapped fish, a woman
Ulagham madhikkudhuIs treated by this world
Female
Thondiyilae maatikittuGetting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Meenu thondiyilae maatikittuThe fish getting caught in the fishing hook
ThudikudhuIt wriggles
Male
Vanitha maniyae mayalaaginenO precious jewel among women, I am smitten by love
Vanitha maniyae mayalaaginenO precious jewel among women, I am smitten by love
Meen vizhiyae senthaen mozhiyaeO fish-eyed one with sweet honeyed words
Unnai naan maravenI will never forget you
Inimel enadhaaruyiraeFrom now on, you are my precious life
Male
Vanitha maniyae mayalaaginenO precious jewel among women, I am smitten by love
Vanitha maniyae mayalaaginenO precious jewel among women, I am smitten by love
Male
Kaanavae kodi kangal podhathaeTen million eyes are not enough to gaze at you
Kaanavae kodi kangal podhathaeTen million eyes are not enough to gaze at you
Kaadhalaal vandhen adi maadhaeI came driven by love, O woman
Unmel kaadhalaal vandhen adi maadhaeI came driven by love for you, O woman
Male
Meen vizhiyae senthaen mozhiyaeO fish-eyed one with sweet honeyed words
Unnai naan maravenI will never forget you
Inimel enadhaaruyiraeFrom now on, you are my precious life
Male
Vanitha maniyae mayalaaginenO precious jewel among women, I am smitten by love
Mayalaaginen mayalaaginen mayalaaginen….I am smitten... smitten... smitten...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Arasilangkumari (1961) blends folk commentary with romantic expression. The initial section uses the poignant imagery of a fish wriggling helplessly on a hook as a metaphor for how society treats women, folk artists, and the poor—trampling upon them while callous onlookers enjoy their struggle. The lyricist highlights the injustice faced by the downtrodden and vulnerable in a harsh world. The second half shifts tone into romantic adoration, where the protagonist expresses overwhelming love for his beloved, describing her fish-shaped eyes and honey-sweet speech, declaring that even a crore of eyes would not suffice to behold her beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Indha meena pola pennai Ulagham madhikkudhu

Comparing the plight of women in society to a fish wriggling helplessly after being caught on a hook.

Atiyayokthi (Hyperbole)

Kaanavae kodi kangal podhathae

Exaggeration that ten million eyes would not be enough to admire the beauty of the beloved.

Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)

Thondiyilae / Thudikudhu

The second letter harmony 'nd' / 'd' across successive lines creating rhythmic flow.

Uruvagham (Metaphorical epithet)

Meen vizhiyae senthaen mozhiyae

Describing eyes as fish ('Meen vizhi') and speech as pure honey ('Senthaen mozhi').

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Trivia

Arasilangkumari (1961) is a historical adventure-drama film starring M. G. Ramachandran, Padmini, and Rajasree. The soundtrack was primarily composed by G. Ramanathan along with S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. Lyricist Muthukoothan was renowned for inserting sharp socio-political commentaries through earthy folk rhythms in Tamil cinema.

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