Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Antartica

From Thuppakki · 2012

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Krish, Vijay Prakash
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Thuppakki2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Antartica.. venpaniyilae..In the white snows of Antarctica...
Yen sarukkudhu nenjamWhy is my heart slipping?
Nee penguin-ah pen dolphin-ahAre you a penguin or a female dolphin?
Yen kulambudhu konjamWhy am I slightly confused?
Male
{Adi penne en manadhu engae{Oh girl, where is my heart?
Radar vilakkuma?Will a radar explain it?
Adi en kaadhal aalam ennaOh girl, what is the depth of my love?
Sonar alakkuma?} (2)Will a sonar measure it?} (2)
Male
Kadal alandhidum karuvigalInstruments that measure the ocean
Seyal ilandhidum avalidamLose their functionality near her.
Adiilakanam asaivadhai parthenI saw basic grammar itself moving.
Aval puruvathin puviyalilIn the geography of her eyebrows,
Malai sarivugal thorpadhaalBecause the mountain slopes lose in comparison,
Vilum aruvigal azhuvadhai parthenI saw the falling waterfalls weeping.
Male
Aval mele veyil vilundhaalIf sunlight falls upon her,
Nilaa oliyaai maaripogumIt transforms into gentle moonlight.
Aval asaindhaalWhen she sways,
Andha aasai vilum isai pirakkumMusic is born where that desire rests.
Male
Antartica.. venpaniyilae..In the white snows of Antarctica...
Yen sarukkudhu nenjamWhy is my heart slipping?
Nee penguin-ah pen dolphin-ahAre you a penguin or a female dolphin?
Yen kulambudhu konjamWhy am I slightly confused?
Male
Thada thadavena raanuvamLike an army marching with heavy thuds,
Pughundhidum pudhu saalayaiEntering a brand new road,
Adhirvuden nulaindhayadi.. ennilYou entered inside me with a tremor...
Iru vizhigalin kuzhalilaeThrough the barrel of your two eyes,
Pada padavena vedithayadiYou exploded in rapid bursts,
Irudhayam thudithaayadi kannilMy heart throbbed right in my eyes!
Male
Unnaipolae oru pennaiI lived wondering if I would ever
Kaanbenaa endru vazhdhenFind a girl like you.
Nee kidaithaalIf I win you,
En dhesam pole unnai nesippenI will love you just as I love my country.
Male
Antartica.. venpaniyilae..In the white snows of Antarctica...
Yen sarukkudhu nenjamWhy is my heart slipping?
Nee penguin-ah pen dolphin-ahAre you a penguin or a female dolphin?
Yen kulambudhu konjamWhy am I slightly confused?
Male
{Adi penne en manadhu engae{Oh girl, where is my heart?
Radar vilakkuma?Will a radar explain it?
Adi en kaadhal aalam ennaOh girl, what is the depth of my love?
Sonar alakkuma?} (2)Will a sonar measure it?} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Antartica' expresses a soldier's intense love and fascination using playful military, scientific, and geographical metaphors. The protagonist compares his beloved's beauty to natural wonders and wonders if modern technology like Radar and Sonar could ever map the depths of his feelings. The lyrics blend patriotic sentiment with romantic fervor, showcasing how her presence shakes his disciplined heart like a sudden tactical operation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Scientific Metaphor

Radar vilakkuma? / Sonar alakkuma?

Uses navigational and detection tools (Radar, Sonar) as metaphors for exploring human emotion and heart's location.

Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi)

Thada thadavena raanuvam... / Pada padavena vedithayadi

Rhythmic sound words 'Thada thadavena' and 'Pada padavena' represent the heavy thumping of marching troops and explosive heartbeats.

Hyperbole (Uruvagamm / Aandhu Uvami)

Aval mele veyil vilundhaal Nilaa oliyaai maaripogum

Exaggerates her beauty by stating sunlight turns to moonlight upon touching her skin and waterfalls cry out of envy for her eyebrows.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Harris Jayaraj and penned by Madhan Karky, this track highlights Karky's signature style of integrating technical and scientific terminology into romantic Tamil poetry. It fits the military backdrop of Vijay's character Jagadish in the film Thuppakki.

Keep listening

More from Thuppakki