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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thumbaipoo Mugathil Thulasi

From Veli Thaandiya Vellaadu · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Veli Thaandiya Vellaadu
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
9 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Kuvalai poo oliyil kunguma similgal
Kungumasimilil kurunagai kodi
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
Oru nagai koodi unnidhazh thaedum
Aaa….aaaa….aaa…aa…aa…aa…
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Thaazhampoo kaiyil sengaandhal viralgal
Sengaandhal viralalil siru mullai nagangal
Siru mullai nagathil sevvandhi pookkal
Sevvandhi poovil senthaen suvai thaan
Senthaenin suvai thaan seeraana suvai thaan
Senthaenin suvai thaan seeraana suvai thaan
Maaradha inbathai tharugindra suvai thaan
Thumbai poo
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Kuvalai poo oliyil kunguma similgal
Kungumasimilil kurunagai kodi
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
Oru nagai koodi unnidhazh thaedum
Aaa….aaaa….aaa…aa…aa…aa…
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Eerullam kalandha illathil pugunthom
Illathil pugunthu inbathil midhanthom
Inbathil midhanthu un varavai kandom
Un varavai kandu ullaasam kondom
Ullasam kondu uruvathai kandom
Ullasam kondu uruvathai kandom
Uruvathai kandu ulagathai maranthom
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
Kuvalai poo oliyil kunguma similgal
Kungumasimilil kurunagai kodi
Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi
Oru nagai koodi unnidhazh thaedum
Aaa….aaaa….aaa…aa…aa…aa…
Thumbai poo mugathil
Thulasi poo vizhigal
Thulasi poo vizhiyil kuvalai poo oligal
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
In the glow of water lilies, cheeks like kumkum boxes,
and on those kumkum cheeks, a vine of gentle smiles.
That vine of smiles turns into sweet laughter,
and that laughter dances upon your lips.
Aah... aah... aah... aa... aa... aa...
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
On hands soft as screwpine flowers, fingers like red flame lilies,
on those flame-lily fingers, nails like tiny jasmine buds.
On tiny jasmine nails, the blush of chrysanthemums,
and in the chrysanthemum flower, the taste of pure honey.
The taste of pure honey is a perfect delight,
the taste of pure honey is a perfect delight,
a sweetness that brings never-ending joy!
Like a white thumbai flower...
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
In the glow of water lilies, cheeks like kumkum boxes,
and on those kumkum cheeks, a vine of gentle smiles.
That vine of smiles turns into sweet laughter,
and that laughter dances upon your lips.
Aah... aah... aah... aa... aa... aa...
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
With two united hearts, we entered our home,
we stepped inside and floated in joy.
Floating in joy, we welcomed your arrival,
seeing you arrive, we were filled with delight.
In our delight, we gazed upon your sweet form,
in our delight, we gazed upon your sweet form,
and looking at you, we forgot the whole world!
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
In the glow of water lilies, cheeks like kumkum boxes,
and on those kumkum cheeks, a vine of gentle smiles.
That vine of smiles turns into sweet laughter,
and that laughter dances upon your lips.
Aah... aah... aah... aa... aa... aa...
On a face like a white thumbai flower,
eyes like holy tulsi blossoms,
and in those tulsi eyes, the glow of water lilies.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poetic song penned by Kannadasan uses intricate floral imagery to describe the beauty of a beloved woman and the profound joy brought by love and family life. The lyrics compare every feature—the face, eyes, hands, fingers, and nails—to various sacred and fragrant flowers such as Thumbai, Thulasi, Kuvalai, Thaazhampoo, Sengaandhal, Mullai, and Sevvandhi, culminating in a taste sweeter than pure honey. In the final stanza, the theme expands to domestic bliss and the arrival of new life or a beloved guest. Two loving hearts unite to create a joyful home where the presence of the beloved leads to an enchanting state of happiness so deep that the outside world is completely forgotten.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Andhadhi (Chain Linking / Anadiplosis)

“Kungumasimilil kurunagai kodi / Kurunagai kodi oru nagai koodi”

The poet ends each line with a word or phrase and begins the subsequent line with the exact same phrase, creating a cascading, interlocking musical rhythm.

Uvamai (Metaphor and Floral Simile)

“Thaazhampoo kaiyil sengaandhal viralgal”

Extensive use of flower metaphors comparing physical attributes to specific native blooms (Thumbai for purity, Thulasi for sacredness, Kuvalai for radiance, Sengaandhal for delicate fingers).

Emona / Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Illathil pugunthu inbathil midhanthom”

Consonance in the second letter across consecutive lines (e.g., 'Eerullam', 'Illathil', 'Inbathil').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Kannadasan employs classical Sangam literary conventions (Thinnai / Pookkal symbolism) where specific flowers symbolize different aspects of beauty, purity, and emotion. The 'Andhadhi' structure used throughout the song is an ancient Tamil poetic technique most famous in devotional literature like Abhirami Andhadhi.

Keep listening

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