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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaaikka Varappukkulla

From Thaimel Aanai · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam, Chorus
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Thaimel Aanai1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaaikkaa varappukkulla vayasuppullaWithin the ridge of the canal, a young girl
Odhungi odhungi poguthuMoves away shyly step by step
Machaan varava kandu chinna ponnuSeeing the arrival of her lover
Padhungi padhugi poguthuThe young girl hides away
Male
Adi paakku maaththum munnaeHey, before betel leaves are exchanged in betrothal
Konjam pazhgi paarkkalaamaaShall we get acquainted a little?
Ada panthi podum munnaeHey, before the wedding feast is served
Namma pasiya theekkalaamaaShall we quench our romantic hunger?
Female
Vaaikkaa varappukkulla vayasuppullaWithin the ridge of the canal, a young girl
Odhungi odhungi poguthuMoves away shyly step by step
Macchaan varava kandu chinna ponnuSeeing the arrival of her lover
Padhungi padhugi poguthuThe young girl hides away
Female
Antha paakku maaththum munnaeBefore betel leaves are exchanged in betrothal
Nee pazhagi paarkkalaamaaShall you get acquainted?
Ada panthi podum munnaeHey, before the wedding feast is served
Nee pasiya theekkalaamaaShall you quench the hunger?
Male :Vaaikkaa varappukkulla vayasuppullaMale: Within the ridge of the canal, a young girl
Odhungi odhungi poguthuMoves away shyly step by step
Male
Aadiyilae samjavalaeYou who attained womanhood in the month of Aadi
Amsamellaam amanjavalaeYou who are blessed with every feature of beauty
Kondaikku poo vaangi vaarae…nI will buy and bring flowers for your hair bun
Female
Jillava jeyichavaraeOh ruler who conquered the entire district
Sevayellaam thovachchavaraeOh hardworking man who washes all clothes clean
Thaalikku pinnaalae thaaraenI will yield to you only after the sacred knot is tied
Male
Engitta theendaathaeDo not touch me right now
Naan unna vidamaattaenI will not let you escape that easily
Female :Vaaivittu kettaalumFemale: Even if you ask out loud
Paai mattum tharamattaenI will not give you the bed mat just yet
Male :Munthaanai paayagum vaa vaaMale: Your saree end will become the bed, come come
Female
Vaaikkaa varappukkulla vayasuppullaWithin the ridge of the canal, a young girl
Odhungi odhungi poguthuMoves away shyly step by step
Male :Machaan varava kandu chinna ponnuMale: Seeing the arrival of her lover
Padhungi padhugi poguthuThe young girl hides away
Female
Ezhththaani moozhgazhagaaOh beauty sharp as a writing stylus
Ilanthaathi pallazhagaaOh beauty with teeth like tender jujube seeds
Enkitta aattaatha vaalaDo not wag your tail at me
Male :Vilaiyaatha thaen kaniyaeMale: Oh sweet unblemished honey fruit
Valaiyaatha poongodiyaeOh unbending flower vine
Enkitta kaattaatha velaDo not play your clever tricks on me
Female
Kattil mael ippothumEven now, atop the bed
Pennukkae aathikkamThe dominance belongs solely to women
Male :Hae hae aanaalum eppothumMale: Ha ha, nevertheless as always
Aan varkkam saathikkumThe male kind will ultimately win
Female :Inbangal saripangu vaa vaaFemale: Pleasures are shared equally between us, come come
Male
Vaaikkaa varappukkulla vayasuppullaWithin the ridge of the canal, a young girl
Odhungi odhungi poguthuMoves away shyly step by step
Female :Machaan varava kandu chinna ponnuFemale: Seeing the arrival of her lover
Padhungi padhugi poguthuThe young girl hides away
Male
Adi paakku maaththum munnaeHey, before betel leaves are exchanged in betrothal
Konjam pazhagi paarkkalaamaa aaa…Shall we get acquainted a little...
Female :Ada panthi podum munnaeFemale: Hey, before the feast is served
Nee pasiya theekkalaamaaShall you quench your hunger?
Male
Vaaikkaa varappukkullaWithin the ridge of the canal
Vayasuppulla odhungi odhungi poguthuA young girl moves away step by step
Female :Machaan varava kandu chinnaFemale: Seeing the arrival of her lover
Ponnu padhungi padhungi poguthuThe young girl hides away
Male
Adi paakku maaththum munnaeHey, before betel leaves are exchanged in betrothal
Konjam pazhgi paarkkalaamaaShall we get acquainted a little?
Female :Ada panthi podum munnaeFemale: Hey, before the feast is served
Namma pasiya theekkalaamaaShall we quench our hunger?
Male
Vaaikkaa varappukkullaWithin the ridge of the canal
Vayasuppulla odhungi odhungi poguthuA young girl moves away step by step
Female :Machaan varava kandu chinnaFemale: Seeing the arrival of her lover
Ponnu padhungi padhungi poguthuThe young girl hides away

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaaikkaa Varappukkulla is a flirtatious, folk-based duet from the 1988 Tamil film Thaimel Aanai. The song depicts a romantic banter between a village youth and a young woman by the fields. The male protagonist playfully invites her to indulge in intimacy before formal wedding rituals ('paakku maaththum' betrothal and 'panthi podum' wedding feast), while the female protagonist playfully sets firm boundaries until marriage ('thaalikku pinnaalae'). The lyrics explore playful gender banter, where the woman asserts female dominance in romantic life ('Kattil mael ippothum pennukkae aathikkam'), while the man humorously insists on male dominance, leading to a charming resolution that romantic joys are shared equally ('Inbangal saripangu'). Through rich rustic imagery of canal fields, flower buns, and traditional metaphors, Vairamuthu captures authentic rural Tamil romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Odhungi odhungi poguthu

The word 'Odhungi' is repeated ('Odhungi odhungi') to express continuous, shy steps taken by the village girl.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagaththodar)

Ada panthi podum munnae namma pasiya theekkalaamaa

Comparing physical passion and intimacy to appetite/hunger ('pasiya theekkalaamaa') before a wedding banquet ('panthi podum munnae').

Emonai / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aadiyilae samjavalae / Amsamellaam amanjavalae

Rhyming of starting sounds 'Aadiyilae' and 'Amsamellaam' to enhance folk rhythm.

Metaphorical Imagery

Ezhththaani moozhgazhagaa ilanthaathi pallazhagaa

Describing the girl's teeth as shiny and small like jujube seeds ('ilanthaathi pallazhagaa') and her sharp profile like an iron stylus ('ezhththaani moozhgazhagaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaimel Aanai (1988) featured music by Chandrabose, a composer known for delivering iconic, high-energy rural folk numbers in late-80s Tamil cinema. The vocal chemistry between Malaysia Vasudevan and Vani Jairam made this duet a popular rustic hit on radio and audio cassettes during that era.

Keep listening

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