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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thuppakki Kaiyil

From Kodai Mazhai · 1986

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kodai Mazhai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hei… ararara raei raei raei raeiHei… ararara raei raei raei raei
Ararara raei raei raei raeiArarara raei raei raei raei
Male
Ararara raei reraei reraei raei raei raeiArarara raei reraei reraei raei raei raei
Male
Thuppaakki kaiyl eduthuTaking the gun in hand
Rendu thottaavum paiyil eduthuTaking two bullets in the pocket
Haei kokku chuda pogum vazhi thaanHey, on the way to shoot a crane
Adhu thappi ingu pogum padi thaanStraying off path to reach here
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kanni ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kannip ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl
Male
Thuppaakki kaiyl eduthuTaking the gun in hand
Rendu thottaavum paiyil eduthuTaking two bullets in the pocket
Haei thuppaakki kaiyil eduthuHey, taking the gun in hand
Male
{Ethanaiyo vaettaiyila{In how many hunts
Ennennamo suttu puttenI have shot so many things
Unna mattum kattu poda vittu pottenI left only you untamed and free
Thottu paesum sokka thangamPure gold that talks when touched
Pakkam vara kettuAsking to come closer
Pattu chaelaiyila enna katti pottu putten} (2)Bound me tight in a silk saree} (2)
Male
Thanjaavooru thaer onnu nadandhuA Thanjavur chariot walking
Saanjaadi thaan naerula varudhuSwaying and coming directly
Thandhaana thaan paattonnu paadiSinging a rhythm song
Nenja thodum raagatha tharudhuGiving a tune that touches the heart
Vella megam adhu melaAbove that white cloud
Velli oonjal pottu thaarenI will place a silver swing for you
Pattu kunjam katti vittuTying silk tassels
Kotti pottu thaalam poduPlay the rhythm heartily
Male
Thuppaakki kaiyl eduthuTaking the gun in hand
Rendu thottaavum paiyil eduthuTaking two bullets in the pocket
Haei kokku chuda pogum vazhi thaanHey, on the way to shoot a crane
Adhu thappi ingu pogum padi thaanStraying off path to reach here
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kanni ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kannip ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl
Male
{Atha maga othaiyila{Cousin walking all alone
Povadhila kutham illaThere is no fault in going
Unna chuthi paadudhadi yen usuruMy soul sings around you
Othaiyaaga chuthum kiliA parrot flying alone
Rettaiyaaga chuthi varaTo fly around as a pair
Nitham nitham saagudhadiEvery single day
Em manasu } (2)My heart dies} (2)
Male
Onnaa chaera aasai irukkuThere is a desire to come together
Sonnaa nenjam maaraadhaaIf expressed, won't the heart change?
Ponna pola naeram pochuTime precious as gold has passed
Saendhaa thunbam theeraadhaaIf joined, won't the sorrow end?
Vachu paathaa vaazha thaaruIf held together, a bunch of plantains
Vittu ponaa vaazha naaruIf left behind, dry banana fiber
Naareduthu poo thoduthuTaking the fiber, stringing flowers
Maala onnu katti poduTie a garland for me
Male
Thuppaakki kaiyl eduthuTaking the gun in hand
Rendu thottaavum paiyil eduthuTaking two bullets in the pocket
Haei kokku chuda pogum vazhi thaanHey, on the way to shoot a crane
Adhu thappi ingu pogum padi thaanStraying off path to reach here
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kanni ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl
Enna chuttadhenna kannuWhat was it that shot me?
Indha kannip ponnu kannu kannuIt was the eyes of this young girl

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a playful folk-style romantic track where the protagonist sets out on a hunting trip with a gun and two bullets in his pocket to shoot a crane. However, he strays off course and ends up being captivated and symbolically 'shot' by the alluring eyes of a young maiden. He expresses how he has hunted many targets before, but she remains the one who bound his heart. He praises her beauty, comparing her grace to a Thanjavur temple chariot, and envisions building a romantic paradise with a silver swing in the clouds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Enna chuttadhenna kannu / Indha kanni ponnu kannu kannu

Comparing the gaze/eyes of the young woman to a gunshot that pierces the hunter's heart.

Alliteration (Monai)

Vella megam adhu mela / Velli oonjal pottu thaaren

Repetition of the initial consonant 'V' in 'Vella' and 'Velli'.

Contrast / Antimetabole

Vachu paathaa vaazha thaaru / Vittu ponaa vaazha naaru

Contrasting the prosperity of togetherness ('vaazha thaaru') with the withered state of separation ('vaazha naaru').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kodai Mazhai' (1986) is a Tamil film directed by Muktha S. Sundar, featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by the celebrated modern Tamil poet Na. Kamarasan.

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