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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thottathu Mappillai

From Idhayathil Nee · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Idhayathil Nee1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thottathu maappillaiIf the groom from the garden
Veettai thaedi vandhaalComes searching for the house,
Summaa varalaamaaCan he just come empty-handed?
Than tholgalil maalai soodiya pennaiThe woman who adorned his shoulders with a garland,
Thaniyae vidalaamaaCan he leave her all alone?
Female
Kattu kuramagalThe traditional gypsy maiden,
Kaadhal manamagalThe loving bride-to-be,
Kanneer vidalaamaaShould she be shedding tears?
Aval kattiya poovinilIn the flowers she bound together,
Ottiya kaadhalumThe love that clung tightly,
Kaatril poi vidumaa haaWill it blow away in the wind, haa?
Kaatril poi vidumaaWill it blow away in the wind?
Patta kadanum theerndhidumaaWill the debt incurred finally be settled?
Female
Thottathu maappillaiIf the groom from the garden
Veettai thaedi vandhaalComes searching for the house,
Summaa varalaamaaCan he just come empty-handed?
Than tholgalil maalai soodiya pennaiThe woman who adorned his shoulders with a garland,
Thaniyae vidalaamaaCan he leave her all alone?
Female
Muzhangaal varaiyumDraped in clothing
Moodiya aadaiCovering down to her knees,
Mogam tharavillaiyaaDoes it not evoke desire?
Aval mun varum jaadaiyumHer graceful gestures when approaching,
Pin varum vaadaiyumAnd the fragrant breeze following her,
Vegam tharavillaiyaa hoiDo they not ignite speed, hoi?
Veeram tharavillaiyaaDo they not grant courage?
Adhil mogam varavillaiyaaDoes passion not arise from that?
Female
Thottathu maappillaiIf the groom from the garden
Veettai thaedi vandhaalComes searching for the house,
Summaa varalaamaa ..aa..aa…Can he just come empty-handed? ..aa..aa…
Than tholgalil maalai soodiya pennaiThe woman who adorned his shoulders with a garland,
Thaniyae vidalaamaaCan he leave her all alone?
Female
Thaakkiya kangal eettiyai polaeHer striking eyes, like sharp spears,
Sariyaai vizhavillaiyaaDid they not land with precision?
Aval thala thala maeniyumHer glowing, soft physique,
Kala kala baaniyumAnd her cheerful, musical tone,
Sarasam tharavillaiyaa haaDo they not invite playfulness, haa?
Sarasam tharavillaiyaaDo they not invite playfulness?
Nenjil sabalam varavillaiyaaDoes temptation not awaken in the heart?
Female
Thottathu maappillaiIf the groom from the garden
Veettai thaedi vandhaalComes searching for the house,
Summaa varalaamaa ..aa…aa…Can he just come empty-handed? ..aa…aa…
Than tholgalil maalai soodiya pennaiThe woman who adorned his shoulders with a garland,
Thaniyae vidalaamaaCan he leave her all alone?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful song features a heroine teasing and questioning her lover about his romantic responsibility and devotion. She playfully chides him for approaching empty-handed and leaving behind the woman who garlanded him. Through vivid imagery of her allure, clothing, fragrance, and sharp, spear-like eyes, she questions how he could possibly resist her charm or ignore the bond of love between them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaakkiya kangal eettiyai polae

Compares the woman's piercing, striking eyes directly to sharp spears ('eetti').

Rhyme / Assonance (Etukai)

Kattu kuramagal / Kaadhal manamagal

Matching second consonants ('tt') in successive lines create rhythmic harmony.

Onomatopoeia / Imagery (Oruporul Rettai Kilavi / Idai Sol)

Aval thala thala maeniyum / Kala kala baaniyum

Use of 'thala thala' and 'kala kala' to vividly describe physical softness and cheerful speech rhythmically.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Idhayathil Nee' (1963) starred Gemini Ganesan and Devika, with music composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and lyrics penned by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan.

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