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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithirai Maadha Nilavinile

From Thulasi Maadam · 1963

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thulasi Maadam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sithirai maadha nilavinilaeIn the moonlight of the month of Chithirai,
Thendral veesum iravinilaeIn the night where the gentle breeze blows,
Uthami oruthi vizhithirunthaalA virtuous woman stayed awake,
Aval uravukku oruvan kaathirundhaanAnd a man waited for her affection.
Male
Sithirai maadha nilavinilaeIn the moonlight of the month of Chithirai,
Thendral veesum iravinilaeIn the night where the gentle breeze blows,
Uthami oruthi vizhithirunthaalA virtuous woman stayed awake,
Aval uravukku oruvan kaathirundhaanAnd a man waited for her affection.
Male
Paazhum pazhamum irundhathangaeMilk and fruits were present there,
Padukkaiyum virippim kidanthathangaeA bed and spread lay waiting there,
Paazhum pazhamum irundhathangaeMilk and fruits were present there,
Padukkaiyum virippim kidanthathangaeA bed and spread lay waiting there,
Pasiyum kalaippum irukka villaiThere was no hunger or fatigue,
Pasiyum kalaippum irukka villaiThere was no hunger or fatigue,
Paavaiyum avanum urangavillaiNeither the maiden nor the man slept.
Male
Sithirai maadha nilavinilaeIn the moonlight of the month of Chithirai,
Thendral veesum iravinilaeIn the night where the gentle breeze blows,
Uthami oruthi vizhithirunthaalA virtuous woman stayed awake,
Aval uravukku oruvan kaathirundhaanAnd a man waited for her affection.
Male
Kadhaigal sonnaan kettirundhaalHe told stories, and she listened,
Kanirasam thandhaan thirumbhi kondaalHe offered sweet fruits, but she turned away,
Malarae maniyae endrellaamCalling her 'my flower' and 'my gem',
Vaarthaigal sonnaan sirithu kondaalHe spoke tender words, and she smiled shyly.
Male
Pesinaan avalo pesavillaiHe spoke, but she remained silent,
Paarthaan avalo paarkkavillaiHe looked, but she averted her gaze,
Pesinaan avalo pesavillaiHe spoke, but she remained silent,
Paarthaan avalo paarkkavillaiHe looked, but she averted her gaze,
Aasaiyaai ezhundhu kai pidithaanWith desire he rose and held her hand,
Aasaiyaai ezhundhu kai pidithaanWith desire he rose and held her hand,
Appuram nadanthathu ninaivil illaiWhat happened after that is beyond memory.
Male
Sithirai maadha nilavinilaeIn the moonlight of the month of Chithirai,
Thendral veesum iravinilaeIn the night where the gentle breeze blows,
Uthami oruthi vizhithirunthaalA virtuous woman stayed awake,
Aval uravukku oruvan kaathirundhaanAnd a man waited for her affection.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song depicts the tender first night of a newlywed couple under the pleasant moonlight of the Chithirai month. Surrounded by traditional elements of intimacy such as fresh milk, fruits, and a decorated bed, the couple stays awake into the night. The groom attempts to charm his shy bride through endearing stories and sweet words, while she responds with quiet shyness, shy smiles, and bashful silences. The song delicately concludes as the groom passionately holds her hand, subtly leaving the culmination of their romance to imagination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paazhum pazhamum irundhathangae

Repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the beginning of words in the line creating melodic cadence.

Eyaibu (End Rhyme)

Pesinaan avalo pesavillai / Paarthaan avalo paarkkavillai

Matching end sounds 'pesavillai' and 'paarkkavillai' creating a rhythmic rhyming pattern across parallel lines.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Pesinaan avalo pesavillai / Paarthaan avalo paarkkavillai

Contrasting the eager actions of the husband (speaking, looking) with the bashful hesitation of the wife (not speaking, not looking).

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Malarae maniyae endrellaam

Comparing the beloved to delicate and precious things like a flower ('Malarae') and a gem ('Maniyae').

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Trivia

'Thulasi Maadam' (1963) featured classic compositions by K. V. Mahadevan. Lyricist Ka. Mu. Sheriff was acclaimed for writing romantic Tamil verses that captured deep intimacy with extreme poetic elegance and cultural subtlety.

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