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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vasalukku Kappu Katti

From Mannukkul Vairam · 1986

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. Janaki, B. Sasirekha, Chorus
Music director
Devendran
Details
Mannukkul Vairam1986

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Vaasalukku kaappu katti valamaana manneduththuFemale: Tying a protective thread at the entrance and taking fertile soil,
Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeChorus: Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Navathaanya payirilaiyum naaluvagai thaaneduththuFemale: Selecting four varieties among the nine types of grain crops,
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Aaththu thanni monthu vanthu alavudanaethaan ooththiFemale: Fetching river water and pouring it in measured amounts,
Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeChorus: Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Molap paavi valarththu vanthom muththumaari ammanukkuFemale: We grew the sprout pots (Mulaipari) for Goddess Muthumaari,
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Idiyudanae mazhai pozhiya iru karaiyum perugi varaFemale: As rain poured down with thunder and both riverbanks overflowed,
Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeChorus: Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Perugi varum neerthanilae pengalaellam neeraadiFemale: All the women bathed in the overflowing river waters,
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Chinnaala pattukkala seerudanae thaanuduththuFemale: Dressed elegantly in rich silk sarees from Chinnalapatti,
Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeChorus: Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Aaru vagai molapparikku arumbu mallithaan thoduththuFemale: Stringing jasmine buds for the six types of sprout pots,
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Mettupatti aaththaalukku maavilakku yaenthi vanthuFemale: Carrying lit rice-flour lamps (Maavilakku) for the Mother Goddess of Mettupatti,
Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeChorus: Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Female :Molappaari parappungammaa muththu muththu pengalellaamFemale: Spread out the sprout pots (Mulaipari), O precious pearl-like women!
Chorus
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)
Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanaeThaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae (Folk rhythmic refrain)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk track from Mannukkul Vairam (1986) captures the traditional Tamil ritual of 'Mulaipari' (sprouted grain pots) celebrated in honor of Goddess Muthumariamman. The village women prepare fertile soil, sow nine types of grains (Navadhanyam), nurture them carefully with river water, and celebrate the healthy growth of sprouts as an omen of agricultural prosperity and rain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Folk Refrain (Simai / Rettai Kilavi pattern)

“Chorus :Thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae thaanaanae”

The continuous repetition of 'Thaanaanae' acts as the rhythmic folk refrain essential for rural group dance (Kummi) performed around the Mulaipari pots.

Monai / Alliteration

“Female :Molap paavi valarththu vanthom muththumaari ammanukku”

The initial sound 'M' is repeated ('Molap', 'muththumaari'), producing a harmonious melodic rhythm characteristic of Tamil folk poetry.

Cultural Imagery

“Female :Chinnaala pattukkala seerudanae thaanuduththu”

References traditional South Tamil regional elements like Chinnalapatti silk sarees, jasmine flower garlands, and Mettupatti temple rituals.

Metaphor / Endearment

“Female :Molappaari parappungammaa muththu muththu pengalellaam”

Describing women as 'muththu muththu pengal' (pearl-like women) highlights purity, beauty, and communal togetherness.

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Trivia

The 'Mulaipari' ritual depicted in this song is a major folk festival event in Southern Tamil Nadu, particularly during the Tamil month of Aadi. Written by lyricist Muthulingam, the song authenticates traditional worship where women offer sprouted grains and carry 'Maavilakku' (lamps made of rice flour and ghee) to pray for monsoon rains.

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