Chandiranai Thottathu
From Ratchagan · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Hariharan, Sujatha Mohan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Ratchagan1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ohoo hooooo hoo hooo hoo hoooo | (Vocalizing) Ohoo hooooo hoo hooo hoo hoooo |
| Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hooo | (Vocalizing) Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hooo |
| Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oooooo hooo hoo | (Vocalizing) Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oooooo hooo hoo |
| Male | |
| Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar | Who touched the moon? |
| Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa | Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong? |
| Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar | Who truly touched it in reality? |
| Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae | It was me, hey girl, it was me! |
| { Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae | { Oh dream goddess, you are the moon |
| Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2) | And I am your shadow } (2) |
| Female | |
| Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar | Who touched the moon? |
| Needhaanaa ada needhaanaa | Was it you, hey man, was it you? |
| Sathiyamaai thottavanum | The one who touched it in truth, |
| Needhaanaa adhu needhaanaa | Is it you, is it really you? |
| Nerungi thottavanae nilavu naandhaana | Oh one who touched me closely, I am indeed the moon, |
| Un nilavu naandhaana un nilavu naandhaana | Am I your moon? Am I your moon? |
| Male | |
| Hey pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhen | Hey, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines, |
| Ooh pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhen | Ooh, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines, |
| Poovai unnai paartha pinnae pookalin mozhi arindhen | Only after seeing you, my flower, did I understand the language of flowers! |
| Female | |
| Ooh thalaiyanai enbadhellam thalaikendru Ninaithirundhen | Ooh, I thought a pillow was meant only for resting the head, |
| Thalaivanai pirigaiyilae thalaiyanai thunai arindhen | Upon separating from my beloved, I realized the pillow was my companion! |
| Male | |
| Theepandham pondravan naan dheepamendru aagivitten | I, who was like a fiery torch, have turned into a soft lamp flame. |
| Female | |
| Puyaluku pirandhaval naan thendralendru maarivitten | I, who was born of a storm, have transformed into a gentle breeze. |
| Male | |
| Karungallai pondravan naan karpooram aagivitten | I, who was like a hard black stone, have turned into aromatic camphor. |
| Chandhiranai ….. | The moon... |
| Female | |
| …………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar | Who touched the moon? |
| Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa | Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong? |
| Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar | Who truly touched it in reality? |
| Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae | It was me, hey girl, it was me! |
| { Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae | { Oh dream goddess, you are the moon |
| Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2) | And I am your shadow } (2) |
| Male | |
| Thaamarai malarkondu udal seitha oviyamae | Oh artwork created using lotus flowers for a body! |
| Ennudal baaram mattum endha vidham thaangugirai | How do you manage to bear the weight of my body? |
| Female | |
| Meengalai sumapathondrum neeruku baaramillai | Carrying fish is never a burden for water, |
| Kaadhalai sumakaiyilae kaadhalarum baaramillai | Likewise, when carrying love, lovers are never a burden! |
| Male | |
| Sorgathirku vandhuvittom dharkathirku neramillai | We have reached heaven; there is no time for debate. |
| Female | |
| Muthangalai nee vazhangu idhazhuku neramillai | Grant me kisses, for the lips have no time to spare! |
| Thodanguthal miga yelidhu mudipathudan periya thollai | Beginning love is very easy, but ending it is the greatest trouble! |
| Chandhiranae …. | Oh moon... |
| Male | |
| Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar | Who touched the moon? |
| Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa | Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong? |
| Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar | Who truly touched it in reality? |
| Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae | It was me, hey girl, it was me! |
| { Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae | { Oh dream goddess, you are the moon |
| Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2) | And I am your shadow } (2) |
....................................
(Vocalizing) Ohoo hooooo hoo hooo hoo hoooo
(Vocalizing) Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hooo
(Vocalizing) Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oooooo hooo hoo
சந்திரனை தொட்டது
யாா் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா அடி
ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா சத்தியமாய்
தொட்டது யாா் நான்தானே
அடி நான்தானே
{ கனவு தேவதையே நிலவு
நீதானே உன் நிழலும்
நான்தானே } (2)
Who touched the moon?
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Who truly touched it in reality?
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
And I am your shadow } (2)
சந்திரனை தொட்டது
யாா் நீதானா அட நீதானா
சத்தியமாய் தொட்டவனும்
நீதானா அது நீதானா நெருங்கி
தொட்டவனே நிலவு நான்தானா
உன் நிலவு நான்தானா உன் நிலவு
நான்தானா
Who touched the moon?
Was it you, hey man, was it you?
The one who touched it in truth,
Is it you, is it really you?
Oh one who touched me closely, I am indeed the moon,
Am I your moon? Am I your moon?
ஹே பூக்களை
செடிகொடியின் பொருளென்று
நினைத்திருந்தேன் ஓ பூக்களை
செடிகொடியின் பொருளென்று
நினைத்திருந்தேன் பூவை உன்னைப்
பாா்த்த பின்னே பூக்களின் மொழியறிந்தேன்
Hey, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines,
Ooh, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines,
Only after seeing you, my flower, did I understand the language of flowers!
ஓ தலையணை
என்பதெல்லாம் தலைக்கென்று
நினைத்திருந்தேன் தலைவனைப்
பிாிகையிலே தலையணைத் துணையறிந்தேன்
Ooh, I thought a pillow was meant only for resting the head,
Upon separating from my beloved, I realized the pillow was my companion!
தீப்பந்தம் போன்றவன்
நான் தீபமென்று ஆகிவிட்டேன்
I, who was like a fiery torch, have turned into a soft lamp flame.
புயலுக்கு பிறந்தவள்
நான் தென்றலென்று மாறிவிட்டேன்
I, who was born of a storm, have transformed into a gentle breeze.
கருங்கல்லைப் போன்றவன்
நான் கற்பூரம் ஆகிவிட்டேன்
சந்திரனை
I, who was like a hard black stone, have turned into aromatic camphor.
The moon...
.................................
...
சந்திரனை தொட்டது
யாா் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா அடி
ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா சத்தியமாய்
தொட்டது யாா் நான்தானே
அடி நான்தானே
{ கனவு தேவதையே நிலவு
நீதானே உன் நிழலும்
நான்தானே } (2)
Who touched the moon?
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Who truly touched it in reality?
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
And I am your shadow } (2)
தாமரை மலா்கொண்டு
உடல் செய்த ஓவியமே என்னுடல்
பாரம் மட்டும் எந்த விதம் தாங்குகிறாய்
Oh artwork created using lotus flowers for a body!
How do you manage to bear the weight of my body?
மீன்களை சுமப்பதொன்றும்
நீருக்கு பாரமில்லை காதலை
சுமக்கையிலே காதலரும் பாரமில்லை
Carrying fish is never a burden for water,
Likewise, when carrying love, lovers are never a burden!
சொா்க்கத்துக்கு வந்துவிட்டோம்
தா்க்கத்திற்க்கு நேரமில்லை
We have reached heaven; there is no time for debate.
முத்தங்கள் நீ வழங்கு
இதழுக்கு நேரமில்லை தொடங்குதல்
மிக எளிது முடிப்பதுதான் பொிய தொல்லை
சந்திரனே
Grant me kisses, for the lips have no time to spare!
Beginning love is very easy, but ending it is the greatest trouble!
Oh moon...
சந்திரனை தொட்டது
யாா் ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா அடி
ஆம்ஸ்ட்ராங்கா சத்தியமாய்
தொட்டது யாா் நான்தானே
அடி நான்தானே
{ கனவு தேவதையே நிலவு
நீதானே உன் நிழலும்
நான்தானே } (2)
Who touched the moon?
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Who truly touched it in reality?
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
And I am your shadow } (2)
Ohoo hooooo hoo hooo hoo hoooo
(Vocalizing) Ohoo hooooo hoo hooo hoo hoooo
Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hooo
(Vocalizing) Hoo hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hooo
Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oooooo hooo hoo
(Vocalizing) Ooh hoo ooh hoo ooh hoo oooooo hooo hoo
Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar
Who touched the moon?
Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar
Who truly touched it in reality?
Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2)
And I am your shadow } (2)
Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar
Who touched the moon?
Needhaanaa ada needhaanaa
Was it you, hey man, was it you?
Sathiyamaai thottavanum
The one who touched it in truth,
Needhaanaa adhu needhaanaa
Is it you, is it really you?
Nerungi thottavanae nilavu naandhaana
Oh one who touched me closely, I am indeed the moon,
Un nilavu naandhaana un nilavu naandhaana
Am I your moon? Am I your moon?
Hey pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhen
Hey, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines,
Ooh pookalai chedikodiyin porulendru ninaithirundhen
Ooh, I used to think flowers were just part of plants and vines,
Poovai unnai paartha pinnae pookalin mozhi arindhen
Only after seeing you, my flower, did I understand the language of flowers!
Ooh thalaiyanai enbadhellam thalaikendru Ninaithirundhen
Ooh, I thought a pillow was meant only for resting the head,
Thalaivanai pirigaiyilae thalaiyanai thunai arindhen
Upon separating from my beloved, I realized the pillow was my companion!
Theepandham pondravan naan dheepamendru aagivitten
I, who was like a fiery torch, have turned into a soft lamp flame.
Puyaluku pirandhaval naan thendralendru maarivitten
I, who was born of a storm, have transformed into a gentle breeze.
Karungallai pondravan naan karpooram aagivitten
I, who was like a hard black stone, have turned into aromatic camphor.
Chandhiranai …..
The moon...
……………
...
Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar
Who touched the moon?
Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar
Who truly touched it in reality?
Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2)
And I am your shadow } (2)
Thaamarai malarkondu udal seitha oviyamae
Oh artwork created using lotus flowers for a body!
Ennudal baaram mattum endha vidham thaangugirai
How do you manage to bear the weight of my body?
Meengalai sumapathondrum neeruku baaramillai
Carrying fish is never a burden for water,
Kaadhalai sumakaiyilae kaadhalarum baaramillai
Likewise, when carrying love, lovers are never a burden!
Sorgathirku vandhuvittom dharkathirku neramillai
We have reached heaven; there is no time for debate.
Muthangalai nee vazhangu idhazhuku neramillai
Grant me kisses, for the lips have no time to spare!
Thodanguthal miga yelidhu mudipathudan periya thollai
Beginning love is very easy, but ending it is the greatest trouble!
Chandhiranae ….
Oh moon...
Chandhiranai thottadhu yaar
Who touched the moon?
Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa
Was it Armstrong, hey girl, was it Armstrong?
Sathiyamaai thottadhu yaar
Who truly touched it in reality?
Naandhaanae adi naandhaanae
It was me, hey girl, it was me!
{ Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae
{ Oh dream goddess, you are the moon
Un nizhalum naandhaanae } (2)
And I am your shadow } (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Chandhiranai Thottadhu Yaar' is a playful romantic duet from the film Ratchagan (1997), composed by A.R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu. The song uses Neil Armstrong's historical moon landing as an extended metaphor: while Neil Armstrong may have been the first human on the moon, the hero claims he is the true person who touched the moon because his beloved is his moon. Throughout the verses, the lovers express how love has altered their temperaments and perceptions of life. The male protagonist transitions from a fiery, hard-hearted individual into a gentle light and soft camphor, while the female protagonist transitions from a tempest into a soft breeze. The lyricism emphasizes that lovers carry each other effortlessly, just as water carries fish without feeling any weight.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“{ Kanavu devathaiyae nilavu needhaanae / Un nizhalum naandhaanae }”
Comparing the heroine directly to the moon ('nilavu needhaanae') and the hero to her shadow ('un nizhalum naandhaanae').
Historical Allusion
“Armstrongaa adi armstrongaa”
Referencing Neil Armstrong's historic 1969 moon landing to create a witty romantic comparison.
Simile (உவமை)
“Meengalai sumapathondrum neeruku baaramillai”
Using the relationship between water and fish as an analogy for lovers carrying the weight of love effortlessly.
Contrast (முரண்)
“Puyaluku pirandhaval naan thendralendru maarivitten”
Contrasting hard/stormy nature with soft/gentle transformations caused by love (storm to breeze, black stone to camphor).
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the prompt context leaves music and singers unknown, this song was composed by A.R. Rahman for the movie Ratchagan (1997), starring Nagarjuna and Miss Universe Sushmita Sen. It was sung by Hariharan and Sujatha Mohan, featuring grand visuals shot on elaborate sets.
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