- Lyricist
- Arivumathi
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Movie name
- Alli Thandha Vaanam
- Movie release year
- 2001
- Lyrics added on
- 23 Jun 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a tender folk expression of a woman's intense longing for her beloved in her everyday rural life. She describes how thoughts of him invade every simple chore—from tucking her saree and grinding turmeric to cooking spicy curry and eating. The lyricist skillfully uses traditional Tamil village motifs like hiccups, steam from hot food, and traditional games to illustrate how love permeates every breath and mundane act of her day.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Anthi karukkaiyilae / Adi podum un nenaipu”
Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across lines creates a rhythmic, melodic flow typical of Tamil folk poetry.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Anthi karukkaiyilae / Munthi sorugaiyilae”
Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines, such as 'n' in Anthi and Munthi.
Metaphor / Cultural Imagery
“Adhu anjaangaayi sirippu”
The phrase 'anjaangaayi sirippu' compares her lover's thoughts to the playful delight of 'Anjaankal' (a traditional Tamil game played with five stones), evoking innocent rural joy.
Personification
“Parakkum soottoda / Paanji varum un nenaippu”
Thoughts are personified as active entities that leap forward ('paanji varum') with the steam of hot curry.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Vidyasagar for the 2001 film 'Alli Thandha Vaanam', this song stands out for Swarnalatha's vibrant vocal delivery paired with lyricist Arivumathi's authentic Tamil folk vocabulary and domestic imagery.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Alli Thandha Vaanam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.