Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Anbai Thedi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chithira Mandapathil Sila Muthukkal

From Anbai Thedi · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Jayalalithaa
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Anbai Thedi
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
3 Nov 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chiththira mandapaththil
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen
Chiththira mandapaththil
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyo
Unthan muththirai podadiyo
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyo
Unthan muththirai podadiyo
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjam
Karpanai enni vaiththaen
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjam
Karpanai enni vaiththaen
Adhu kattiya vattangalo
Illai kottiya muththangalo
Adhu kattiya vattangalo
Illai kottiya muththangalo
Kaththiri poovizhiyil konjam
Karpanai enni vaiththaen….ae….ae….
Sempon meni thiruch sabaiyil
Sevai seiya vanthaen
Sempon meni thiruch sabaiyil
Sevai seiya vanthaen
Sivantha pavala pettiyil
Enthan thevai kolla vanthaen
Kumba kalasam minnum azhagu
Koyil katti vaiththaen
Kumba kalasam minnum azhagu
Koyil katti vaiththaen
Kulira kulira aadum vannam
Aruvi kotti vaiththaen
Suvaikka sammathamaa…aa…
Female :Idhu maraikkum manthiramaa….
Chiththira mandapaththil
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen
Ilaigal moodum kanigal undu
Bodhai kolla vanthaen
Ilaigal moodum kanigal undu
Bodhai kolla vanthaen
Idaiyil aadum nadana saalai
Paavam kaana vanthaen
Sugam ulaavum sorkka logam
Naanum kondu vanthaen
Sugam ulaavum sorkka logam
Naanum kondu vanthaen
Thodara thodara engo sellum
Nyaanam kondu vanthaen
Suvaikka sammathamaa…aa…
Female :Idhu maraikkum manthiramaa….
Chiththira mandapaththil
Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen
Adhan thaththuvam ennadiyo
Unthan muththirai podadiyo
In this painted hall,
I scattered a few pearls.
In this painted hall,
I scattered a few pearls.
What is the deeper meaning behind it, my dear?
Come, leave your seal upon it!
What is the deeper meaning behind it, my dear?
Come, leave your seal upon it!
In these flower-like eyes,
I imagined a few sweet dreams.
In these flower-like eyes,
I imagined a few sweet dreams.
Are they close circles of embrace,
or a shower of kisses?
Are they close circles of embrace,
or a shower of kisses?
In these flower-like eyes,
I imagined a few sweet dreams...
In the sacred court of your pure golden body,
I have come to offer my devotion.
In the sacred court of your pure golden body,
I have come to offer my devotion.
From your red coral treasure chest,
I have come to claim what I desire.
Gleaming like golden temple domes,
I have built a temple of beauty.
Gleaming like golden temple domes,
I have built a temple of beauty.
To bring cool delight as it flows,
I have poured out a cascading waterfall.
Do you agree to taste this joy?
Female: Is this a magic spell to conceal your intent?
In this painted hall,
I scattered a few pearls.
There are sweet fruits hidden beneath the leaves,
and I have come to lose myself in bliss.
There are sweet fruits hidden beneath the leaves,
and I have come to lose myself in bliss.
In the dance hall swaying at your waist,
I have come to admire your graceful emotions.
A paradise where sweet pleasures roam free,
I too have brought along for you.
A paradise where sweet pleasures roam free,
I too have brought along for you.
Taking us deeper and farther away,
I have brought a sublime awareness.
Do you agree to taste this joy?
Female: Is this a magic spell to conceal your intent?
In this painted hall,
I scattered a few pearls.
What is the deeper meaning behind it, my dear?
Come, leave your seal upon it!
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a romantic, sensual duct from the 1974 film 'Anbai Thedi', penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The hero and heroine express their deep affection and desire using rich classical Tamil allegories, comparing love and beauty to sacred temples, golden halls, corals, and heavenly realms. The lyrics blend physical admiration with poetic elevation—describing the beloved's form as a holy golden shrine and her lips as a coral box. The playful banter between the lovers emphasizes mutual enchantment, sweet mystery, and spiritual intimacy elevated to a divine experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

“Chiththira mandapaththil / Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen”

Comparing the beloved's body to an art gallery ('Chiththira mandapam') and her smile/teeth/kisses to scattered pearls ('muththukkal').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Chiththira mandapaththil / Sila muththukkal kotti vaiththaen”

The second consonant sound 'th' rhymes between 'Chiththira' and 'Muththukkal', maintaining classical Tamil prosody.

Rhetorical Question

“Adhu kattiya vattangalo / Illai kottiya muththangalo”

Asking whether the experience is just drawn circles or showered kisses creates romantic intrigue.

Roobagam (Allegory)

“Sivantha pavala pettiyil / Enthan thevai kolla vanthaen”

Describing lips as a red coral box ('Sivantha pavala petti') from which sweet love is received.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Anbai Thedi' (1974) is a Tamil romantic drama film directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The soundtrack for the film was composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), featuring evocative lyrics written by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Or Poomalai Adhil1987
Iniya Uravu PoothathuAttractionDevotion
Ravivarman Ezhuthaatha1988
VasanthiBeautyDevotion
Raagam Thaalam Pallavi1982
Theerpugal ThiruthapadalamRomanticAttraction
Iravum Pagalum1980
Billa (1980 Film)AttractionRomantic
Enge Unnai Kandal1979
Chithira SevvanamDevotionCourtship
Kannil Vanthu Minnal1958
Nadodi MannanAttractionBeauty

From the same album

More songs from Anbai Thedi

View album
Sippiyile Muthu1974
Anbai ThediContemplative
Puthi Ketta Ponnu Onnu1974
Anbai ThediPlayful
Ammavum Appavum Vellai1974
Anbai ThediPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.