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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaasa Karuvepilaiye

From Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar · 1990

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Arun Mozhi, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En maaman peththa malligaiyaeMy jasmine flower birthed by maternal uncle,
Female
: Vaasa karuveppilaiyae: Fragrant curry leaf,
En aththa peththa mannavanaeMy king birthed by paternal aunt,
Male
Oodha kuliru kaathuThe biting cold wind,
Adhu oosi kuthura podhuWhen it pricks like a needle,
Onna nenachu thookkam pochu pochuThinking of you, my sleep is gone, gone,
Female
Oodha kuliru kaathuThe biting cold wind,
Adhu oosi kuthura podhuWhen it pricks like a needle,
Onna nenachu thookkam pochu pochuThinking of you, my sleep is gone, gone,
Male
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En maaman peththa malligaiyaeMy jasmine flower birthed by maternal uncle,
Male
Nelavu sela kattiDraped in a moonlit saree,
Nadakkudhu ponnaaShe walks like pure gold,
Olaga adhisayathilAmong the wonders of the world,
Ippadi onnaaIs there anyone like this?
Female
Nadandhaa thenmadhuraWhen walking like the ancient Madurai,
Paandiyan polaPandyan king,
Nazhuvudhu paathadhumaeThe moment I look,
Iduppula selaThe saree slips off the waist,
Male
Nandri ketta selaUngrateful saree,
Adhu venaa vitturudiLet it go, my dear,
Kannae undhan selaMy darling, your saree,
Ini naan thaan kattikkadiFrom now on, I will drape it around you,
Female
Etti nillu saamiStand at a distance, my lord,
Nee thottaa ottikkuvaIf you touch, you will cling,
Thottil onnu podaTo hang a cradle,
Oru thodhu pannikkuvaYou will make an opportunity,
Male
Ippodhae ammaavaa neeyaanaaIf you become a mother right now,
En paadu ennaagum vaammaaWhat will become of my fate, come on dear,
Female
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En aththa peththa mannavanaeMy king birthed by paternal aunt,
Male
Odambo thangathulaAs if the body,
Vaarthadhu polaWas cast in pure gold,
Odhado mul murungaAs if the lips,
Poothadhu polaHave bloomed like drumstick flowers,
Female
Karuppu vairathulaIn black diamond,
Senjadhu dhegamIs this body crafted,
Kandadhum elasukkellaamUpon seeing it, all the youth,
Vandhidum mogamWill be filled with desire,
Male
Endha ponnu kaiyumNo girl's hand,
Enna innum thottadhillaHas touched me yet,
Indru mattum kannaeEven today, my darling,
Namma karpum kettadhillaOur virtue remains untarnished,
Female
Karpu ulla raasaaOh virtuous king,
Naan unna mechikkirenI praise you,
Kattikkaiyaa thaaliTie the sacred knot (thaali), my man,
Unna nallaa vechukkiraenI will treasure you well,
Male
Kalyaanam kacheri oorkolamWith wedding music and grand procession,
Kaiyodu kai serthu povomHand in hand we shall walk together,
Female
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En aththa peththa mannavanaeMy king birthed by paternal aunt,
Male
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En maaman peththa malligaiyaeMy jasmine flower birthed by maternal uncle,
Female
Oodha kuliru kaathuThe biting cold wind,
Adhu oosi kuthura podhuWhen it pricks like a needle,
Onna nenachu thookkam pochu pochuThinking of you, my sleep is gone, gone,
Male
Oodha kuliru kaathuThe biting cold wind,
Adhu oosi kuthura podhuWhen it pricks like a needle,
Onna nenachu thookkam pochu pochuThinking of you, my sleep is gone, gone,
Female
Vaasa karuveppilaiyaeFragrant curry leaf,
En aththa peththa mannavanaeMy king birthed by paternal aunt

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaasa Karuveppilaiyae from the movie Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar (1990) is a charming and playful folk duet written by Pulamaipithan. The song portrays a playful banter between two young lovers who praise each other using traditional village imagery. The male lover praises his beloved's beauty, comparing her to fragrant curry leaves and jasmine flowers, while she admires his strength and character, comparing his complexion to a black diamond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaasa karuveppilaiyae / En maaman peththa malligaiyae

Addressing the lovers directly as 'Vaasa karuveppilaiyae' (Fragrant curry leaf) and 'Malligaiyae' (Jasmine flower) to convey rural warmth and sweetness.

Simile (Upamai)

Odambo thangathula vaarthadhu pola

Comparing the body's glow to gold cast in a mold using 'pola' (like).

Imagery / Hyperbole

Oodha kuliru kaathu / Adhu oosi kuthura podhu

Describing the piercing night chill as 'oosi kuthura' (stabbing like a needle).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar' (1990) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by celebrated poet Pulamaipithan. The song captures classic Tamil rural courtship dynamics based on cross-cousin marriage traditions (maaman/aththa relationship).

Keep listening

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