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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaichalam Nethi Pottu

From Kunguma Chimil · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kunguma Chimil1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adi kuththaala nandhavanamOh Courtallam flower garden
Un pinnala suthathaa indha manamIs this heart not spinning behind you?
Chorus
………………………………....
Male
Paalaaruthaan penaachudhuThe Palar river itself became a pen
Female :HaanFemale : Haan
Male :Thaen aaru thaan kan aachudhuMale : The river of honey became eyes
Female :Haan haaan…Female : Haan haaan...
Male :Oru selai katti nikkuriyaeMale : You stand wearing a saree
Sokkum padi veikkuriyaeYou leave me completely mesmerized
Chorus :Hooo hooo oohhChorus : Hooo hooo oohh
Female
HaaanHaaan
Vechaalam nethi pottuShe placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Vechaalam nethi pottuShe placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Female
Vaada maram poo poothathuThe unfading tree blossomed flowers
Ooraayiram vandhadudhuA thousand bees came visiting
Ava angam ellaam pullarikkaGiving her goosebumps all over her body
Aasaiyellam paai virikkaAs desires spread out like a mat
Male
Vechaalam nethi pottuShe placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Male
Vaazhai ilaiyaeOh banana leaf-like beauty
Pudhu varusham paarthuAwaiting the New Year
Parisam potta vanna silaiyaeOh colorful statue given in engagement
Thazhai madalaeOh fragrant pandanus leaf
Oru sarasam panna samayam paarkumAwaiting time to romance
Thanga radhamaeOh golden chariot
Female
Enna venum kelu keluAsk whatever you want, ask
Chorus :Oh oh ho hohChorus : Oh oh ho hoh
Female :Ennudaiya aalu aaluFemale : My lover, my lover
Chorus :Ho ho ho hoChorus : Ho ho ho ho
Female :Methagala pottu pottuFemale : Laying down soft mattresses
Chorus :Oh oh ho hohChorus : Oh oh ho hoh
Female :Vithaigala kaatu kaatuFemale : Show your charming tricks
Chorus :Ho ho ho hoChorus : Ho ho ho ho
Male
Adiyae kuyilaeOh cuckoo bird-like girl
Ilamaan mayilaeOh tender deer and peacock
Madi mel puralumRolling upon the lap
Kodiyae kaniyaeOh vine, oh sweet fruit
Male
VechaalamShe placed it
Ava vechaalaam nethi pottuShe placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Male
Vaada maram poo poothathuThe unfading tree blossomed flowers
Ooraayiram vandadudhuA thousand bees came visiting
Ava angam ellaam pullarikkaGiving her goosebumps all over her body
Aasaiyellam paai virikkaAs desires spread out like a mat
Female
Vechaalaam nethi pottuShe placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Chorus
……………………………….....
Female
Kaala pudichiHolding your feet
Un alaga kandu thaluvi kollaTo embrace after witnessing your beauty
Thozha pudichenI leaned on your shoulder
Paatu padichiSinging a song
Oru pacha kiliya paada solliAsking a green parrot to sing
Kettu padichenI listened and learned
Male
Ambugala poda podaAs arrows of love keep striking
Chorus :Ah ah ah ahChorus : Ah ah ah ah
Male :Manmudhanum theda thedaMale : As Lord Kamadeva searches
Chorus :Oh oh oh ohChorus : Oh oh oh oh
Male :Vambugala panna pannaMale : As sweet mischief continues
Chorus :Ah ah ah ahChorus : Ah ah ah ah
Male :Vaalibamum enna ennaMale : What is this youthful passion?
Chorus :Oh oh hoh ohChorus : Oh oh hoh oh
Female
Varalaam tharalaamWe may come, we may bestow
Thodalaam padalaamWe may touch, we may experience
Irava pagalaIs it night or day?
Medhuva medhuvaGently, gently
Female
VechaalamShe placed it
Ava vechaalaamShe placed it
Hoi vechaalaam nethi pottuHey, she placed a bindi on her forehead
Than kaiyaalaWith her own hand
Machaanin nenja thottuTouching her beloved man's heart
Male
Vaada maramChorus :HoUnfading tree Chorus : Ho
Male :Poo poothathuChorus :Ho hoMale : Blossomed flowers Chorus : Ho ho
Male :OoraayiramChorus :HoMale : A thousand bees Chorus : Ho
Male :VandadudhuChorus :Ho hoMale : Came visiting Chorus : Ho ho
Male :Ava angam ellaam pullarikkaMale : Giving her goosebumps all over her body
Aasaiyellam paai virikkaAs desires spread out like a mat
Chorus
…………………………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track from 'Kunguma Chimil' (1985) showcases an intimate exchange of affections between two lovers. The lyrics utilize rich nature-inspired imagery—comparing the heroine to gardens, golden chariots, and blooming flora, while characterizing the hero's passion through poetic exaggeration. The refrain highlights the tender gesture of the heroine placing a vermilion dot (nethi pottu) with her own hands, symbolically touching and capturing her lover's heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Adi kuththaala nandhavanam

Compares the beloved to a Courtallam flower garden (Kuththaala nandhavanam) and a golden chariot (Thanga radhamae).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Vaada maram poo poothathu / Ooraayiram vandhadudhu

Rhyming of second letters across adjacent lines ('Vaada' and 'Ooraayiram' or 'Adiyae' and 'Ilamaan').

Anuprasa (Alliteration)

Varalaam tharalaam

Repetition of consonant sounds like 'v' in 'Varalaam tharalaam / Thodalaam padalaam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kunguma Chimil (1985) features music composed by S. A. Rajkumar in his early career era, starring Mohan and Revathi. The song is celebrated for Vaali's evocative folk-romantic lyrics.

Keep listening

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