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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellimani Thottil Katta

From Thalaimurai · 1998

Lyricist
Nandalala
Singers
Arun Mozhi, Ilayaraja, Sujatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalaimurai1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yae kannammaa ponnammaaHey Kannamma, Ponnamma,
Adi devaana seeniyammaa muththammaa sakkammaaHey Devaana, Seeniyamma, Muththamma, Sakkamma!
Ingu ellorum saenthu onnaa vaangadiCome together, everyone gather here!
Nalla saethiyum solluraen keluListen as I tell you good news,
Chinnammaa veettukku oru vaarisu valaruthadiAn heir is growing in the young lady's house!
Koodi kolavai ittu paadadiGather together, ululate, and sing!
Ada oorellaam panthala poduErect festive pandals across the whole village,
Maavila thoranam kattuHang mango leaf garlands,
Kummiyum kottadi kottadiClap hands and dance the Kummi folk dance!
Chorus
Velli mani thottil kattaTo tie a silver-bell cradle,
Vela onnu vanthathippo kondaadadiThe right time has arrived, celebrate now!
Idha kondaadadiCelebrate this!
Pattam katta pulla onnuA child who will wear the crown,
Pandiyarkku vanthathinnu poop podadiShower flowers saying an heir has arrived for the Pandyas,
Ammanukkoru poop podadiShower flowers for the Goddess!
Male
Ammaadi thanga kattiOh dear little gold lump,
Thottiya katti thaalaattu naan paadanumI must tie the cradle and sing a lullaby,
Illaatha seer seedhanamWith unheard-of grand wedding dowry gifts,
Vandiya katti kondaadi oor saeranumWe must load the carts, celebrate, and reach our town,
Maanukkulla maanaa singa kuttithaanaaIs it a deer among deer, or a lion cub?
Solladi amma ippothae…Tell me, my dear girl, right now...
Chorus :Naannaa nanaa nanaaChorus: Naannaa nanaa nanaa
Chorus
Velli mani thottil kattaTo tie a silver-bell cradle,
Vela onnu vanthathippo kondaadadiThe right time has arrived, celebrate now!
Idha kondaadadiCelebrate this!
Male
Ammanukku ponga vaikkaTo make sweet pongal offering for the Goddess,
Achchu vellam pachcharisiMolded jaggery and raw rice,
Eduththu naan tharattumaa kanaga maniyaeShall I fetch and give them, my golden jewel?
Female
Muththu mani pulla onnuA precious pearl-like child,
Muththaalamman tharuvaalunnuMuththalamman goddess will grant us,
Kazhuththil naan mudikkavaa kazhuga maniyaeShall I tie it around the neck, my precious jewel?
Chorus
Meenaatchi ammanukkumFor Goddess Meenakshi,
Mealmaada sokkanukkumAnd Lord Sundareswarar of the upper hall,
Kalyaanaththa kannaara paappomaaShall we witness their divine wedding with our own eyes?
Then pandi mannanaiyumFor the king of southern Pandya kingdom,
Thirunaatchi ammanaiyumAnd for Goddess Thirunaatchi,
Theril vechchu oorkolam varuvomaaShall we bring them in procession on the temple chariot?
Male
Ettu pulla peththavalaeOh woman who bore eight children,
Thottil aatta kita vanthuCome close to rock the cradle,
Machchaanukku kaththu kodadiAnd teach the trick to your brother-in-law!
Female
Velli mani thottil kattaTo tie a silver-bell cradle,
Vela onnu vanthathippo kondaadadiThe right time has arrived, celebrate now!
Chorus :Idha kondaadadiChorus: Celebrate this!
Male
Pattam katta pulla onnuA child who will wear the crown,
Pandiyarkku vanthathinnu poop podadiShower flowers saying an heir has arrived for the Pandyas,
Chorus :Ammanukkoru poop podadiChorus: Shower flowers for the Goddess!
Female
Maangaa rusikkum intha neramThis time when raw mango tastes desirable,
Manasu niththam karamba manna thaedumThe heart daily craves fertile black soil,
Saampalu podhumaa innamum venumaaIs ash enough or do you want more?
Eppavum thookkamaa enthiri paappamaaAre you always sleepy? Wake up, little one!
Male
Yae….kollaikkoru thennampillaHey... a coconut sapling for the backyard,
Veettukkoru sutti pullaA lively child for the house,
Illaiyinnaa vedugathaan veedum illaiyaeOtherwise, a house isn't truly a home!
Female
Peththavanga pera sollaTo bring honor to parents' name,
Kettukkanum nalla sollaOne must listen to good advice,
Illaiyinnaa pullaigathaanOtherwise, children aren't truly good offspring!
Pullaiyum illaiyaeJust like that, bear a beautiful child,
Male
Adhu pola pulla onnuSo that the entire village speaks of our fame!
Azhagaaga peththu poduIf a wise child is born,
Ooru sanam nammoda pugazh pesaAnd brings great honor through that,
Female
Arivaana pulla vanthaaIt is my desire to celebrate joyfully!
Adhanaala perum vanthaaGolden daughter, flower-like daughter,
Santhosamaa kondaada enakkaasaTake steps softly and gently,
Male
Ponmagalae poomagalaeThe young daughter yearns softly,
Mella mella ettu vayiTo tie a silver-bell cradle,
Pinju magal thavippaalaeThe right time has arrived, celebrate now!
Chorus
Velli mani thottil kattaCelebrate this!
Vela onnu vanthathippo kondaadadiA child who will wear the crown,
Idha kondaadadiShower flowers saying an heir has arrived for the Pandyas,
Pattam katta pulla onnuShower flowers for the Goddess!
Pandiyarkku vanthathinnu poop podadiOh dear little gold lump,
Ammanukkoru poop podadiI must tie the cradle and sing a lullaby,
Male
Ammaadi thanga kattiWith unheard-of grand wedding dowry gifts,
Thottiya katti thaalaattu naan paadanumWe must load the carts, celebrate, and reach our town,
Illaatha seer seedhanamIs it a deer among deer, or a lion cub?
Vandiya katti kondaadi oor saeranumChorus: Tell me, my dear girl, right now...
Maanukkulla maanaa singa kuttithaanaaNaannaa nanaa nanaa
Chorus :Solladi amma ippothae…To tie a silver-bell cradle,
Naannaa nanaa nanaaThe right time has arrived, celebrate now!
Male
Velli mani thottil kattaChorus: Celebrate this!
Vela onnu vanthathippo kondaadadiA child who will wear the crown,
Chorus :Idha kondaadadiShower flowers saying an heir has arrived for the Pandyas,
Male
Pattam katta pulla onnuChorus: Shower flowers for the Goddess!
Pandiyarkku vanthathinnu poop podadi
Chorus :Ammanukkoru poop podadi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk song is a joyful celebration of pregnancy, motherhood, and family lineage within a traditional Tamil village setting. The women of the village gather to celebrate the news of an heir growing in the family, calling upon local deities like Muththalamman and Meenakshi for blessings. The lyrics vividly describe traditional rituals, pregnancy cravings (such as eating raw mango and clay soil), rocking cradles, and hopes for a wise and noble child who will bring pride to the Pandya heritage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Velli mani thottil katta

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in lines like 'Velli mani thottil katta' and 'Pattam katta pulla onnu'.

Edhai (Rhyme)

Maangaa rusikkum intha neram

Second letter rhyming across lines, seen in 'Maangaa rusikkum intha neram / Manasu niththam karamba manna thaedum'.

Metaphor / Simile

Ammaadi thanga katti

Comparing the child to a gold bar ('thanga katti') and precious jewels ('kanaga maniyae', 'muththu mani').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates authentic Tamil rural customs surrounding pregnancy announcements, including ululation ('kolavai'), traditional dance ('kummi'), and cultural pregnancy cravings like eating raw soil ('karamba mann').

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