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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetkamenna Thendral

From Thanga Thambi · 1967

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thanga Thambi1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vetkamenna thendral vandhuWhy shy away if the breeze comes
Thottaalum vetkamennaWhy shy away even if it touches you?
Female :Kuttramenna kangal ondruFemale : What is the fault if a pair of eyes
Pattaalum kuttramennaHappens to fall upon me, what is the fault?
Male
Vetkamenna thendral vandhuWhy shy away if the breeze comes
Thottaalum vetkamennaWhy shy away even if it touches you?
Female :Kuttramenna kangal ondruFemale : What is the fault if a pair of eyes
Pattaalum kuttramennaHappens to fall upon me, what is the fault?
Male
Vetkamenna ..aa..hooWhy shy away? ..aa..hoo
Female
Haa..aaa…Haa..aaa...
Male
Maiyalandha paarvaiyaalaeWith a glance lined with kohl
Poiyalandhu pesalaamaIs it right to speak playfully untrue words?
Female :Kannalandha maeni azhagaiFemale : At the sweet body's beauty, measured like sugarcane
Mei marandhu parkkalaama..aaCan one gaze, losing oneself completely?
Male
Maiyalandha paarvaiyaalaeWith a glance lined with kohl
Poiyalandhu pesalaamaIs it right to speak playfully untrue words?
Female :Kannalandha maeni azhagaiFemale : At the sweet body's beauty, measured like sugarcane
Mei marandhu parkkalaama.Can one gaze, losing oneself completely?
Male
Aasai ennai thallumDesire pushes me forward
Female :Naanam ennai kollumFemale : Shyness holds me back
Male :Saelai kondu paal mugathai moodalaamaMale : Should you cover your fair face with a saree?
Female :Kaadhal nenjam kaaval indri oodalaamaFemale : Can a loving heart playfully sulk without restraint?
Male :Saelai kondu paal mugathai moodalaamaMale : Should you cover your fair face with a saree?
Female :Kaadhal nenjam kaaval indri oodalaamFemale : Can a loving heart playfully sulk without restraint?
Male
Haiyoo vetkamenna thendral vandhuOh, why shy away if the breeze comes
Thottaalum vetkamennaWhy shy away even if it touches you?
Female :Kuttramenna kangal ondruFemale : What is the fault if a pair of eyes
Pattaalum kuttramennaHappens to fall upon me, what is the fault?
Male :VetkamennaMale : Why shy away?
Female :AaahFemale : Aaah
Male :OhhMale : Ohh
Both :Hmm mm mmmBoth : Hmm mm mmm
Female
Oodai neeril aadum bothuWhile bathing in the stream water
Oorakannaal paarkkalaama..aaIs it right to steal glances from the corner of your eye?
Male :Uttru paarkkum kannai vittuMale : Leaving aside the eyes that stare closely
Ennai mattum ketkalaama..haan haanIs it fair to question only me?
Female
Oodai neeril aadum bothuWhile bathing in the stream water
Oorakannaal paarkkalaama..aaIs it right to steal glances from the corner of your eye?
Male :Uttru paarkkum kannai vittuMale : Leaving aside the eyes that stare closely
Ennai mattum ketkalaama…Is it fair to question only me?
Female
Aadai maattrum neramAt the time of changing clothes
Male :Vaadai kaattru veesumMale : The chilly northern breeze blows
Female :Kaigal kondu maeni engum moodi kollavaaFemale : Shall I cover my body all over with my hands?
Male :Manadhukkullae kaadhal raagam paadi kollavaaMale : Shall I sing a melody of love inside my heart?
Female :Kaigal kondu maeni engum moodi kollavaaFemale : Shall I cover my body all over with my hands?
Male :Manadhukkullae kaadhal raagam paadi kollavaaMale : Shall I sing a melody of love inside my heart?
Male
Vetkamenna thendral vandhuWhy shy away if the breeze comes
Thottaalum vetkamennaWhy shy away even if it touches you?
Female :Kuttramenna kangal ondruFemale : What is the fault if a pair of eyes
Pattaalum kuttramennaHappens to fall upon me, what is the fault?
Male :VetkamennaMale : Why shy away?
Female :AaahFemale : Aaah
Male :OhhMale : Ohh
Both :Hmm mm mmmBoth : Hmm mm mmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet features a romantic and playful banter between lovers. The male protagonist teases his beloved for being coy when the breeze touches her or when he looks at her, encouraging her to cast away her hesitation. The female protagonist playfully defends her modesty, asking if it is wrong for a person to admire beauty or feel shy under a lover's loving gaze.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Maiyalandha paarvaiyaalae / Kannalandha maeni azhagai

The second letters of 'Maiyalandha' and 'Kannalandha' match ('i'/'n' nasal phonetic alignment), creating classic Tamil poetic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Saelai kondu paal mugathai moodalaama

'Paal mugam' compares the brightness and fairness of her face to milk.

Antithesis / Playful Contrast

Aasai ennai thallum / Naanam ennai kollum

Desire pushing forward contrasted directly with modesty holding back.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan for the 1967 film 'Thanga Thambi', this track highlights the signature vocal chemistry of T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, written by lyricist 'Avinasi' Mani.

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