Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chithirai Sevvanam

From Kaatrinile Varum Geetham · 1978

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
Jayachandran, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kaatrinile Varum Geetham1978

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
{Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaen{I saw the picturesque red evening sky smiling
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
En muthaana mutthammaaMy precious pearl-like Muthamma
En kannaana kannammaaMy beloved Kannamma, dear as my eyes
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaa} (2)Thaiyaara thaiyaa} (2)
Male
Ae kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalamAe kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalam (Boatmen/Folk rhythm chant)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaenI saw the picturesque red evening sky smiling
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
En muthaana mutthammaaMy precious pearl-like Muthamma
En kannaana kannammaaMy beloved Kannamma, dear as my eyes
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Thaiyaara thaiyaara thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaara thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
Maiyai itta kannaalae maiyal thandha naeramWhen she enchanted me with her kohl-adorned eyes
Modha modhalaa thottaenae vaaikka karai oramI touched her for the very first time near the canal bank
Saayaamal saainjaalae maarbilaeWithout pulling away, she leaned against my chest
Male
Alli kattum kandaangi ara koraiyaa odhungaAs her tightly draped Kandangi saree slipped slightly
Alungaama anaichaalae vedhu vedhuppaa mayangaShe embraced me gently, swooning with comforting warmth
Manjal konda kaikaari mayakki vittaa ennaiThe yellow turmeric-complexioned woman mesmerized me completely
Ae kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalamAe kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalam (Boatmen/Folk rhythm chant)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaenI saw the picturesque red evening sky smiling
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
En muthaana mutthammaaMy precious pearl-like Muthamma
En kannaana kannammaaMy beloved Kannamma, dear as my eyes
Chorus
Thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
Poi varavaa endraalae yaekkathudan paappaaIf I ask 'May I take my leave?', she gazes at me with deep longing
Naan virumbi varum varaikkum karaiyinilae nirppaaShe will wait at the bank until I return as promised
Unavillai uravillai vaaduvaalWithout food or companions, she wilts away in sorrow
Male
En mugathai paarthadhumae thulli thuli varuvaaThe moment she catches sight of my face, she bounds over in joy
Muthaana muthangal alli alli tharuvaaShe showers me generously with precious kisses
Sokki solli sirippaalae sokka thangal polaeShe speaks dreamily and laughs like pure fine gold
Ae kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalamAe kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalam (Boatmen/Folk rhythm chant)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
{Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaen{I saw the picturesque red evening sky smiling
En muthaana mutthammaaMy precious pearl-like Muthamma
En kannaana kannammaaMy beloved Kannamma, dear as my eyes
Chorus :Aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaaChorus : Aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa
Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaaAahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa
Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa} (Overlap)Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa} (Overlap)
Male
Ae kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalamAe kuriyaa yaelaavaali thandhaelaa vaalam (Boatmen/Folk rhythm chant)
Thaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaaThaiyaara thaiyaa thaiyaara thaiyaa (Folk rhythm refrain)
Male
{Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaen{I saw the picturesque red evening sky smiling
En muthaana mutthammaaMy precious pearl-like Muthamma
En kannaana kannammaaMy beloved Kannamma, dear as my eyes
Chorus :Aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaaChorus : Aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa
Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaaAahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa
Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa} (Overlap)Aahaa aahaa aahaa thaiyaara thaiyaa} (Overlap)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic folk-style song from the movie Kaatrinile Varum Geetham (1978) celebrates rural romance along riverbanks and canals. The male protagonist compares his beloved, Muthamma, to a beautiful red sky at dusk and praises her affectionate nature, golden radiance, and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

“Sokki solli sirippaalae sokka thangal polae”

Comparing the beloved's laughter and charm to pure, untarnished gold ('sokka thangam polae').

Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)

“Chithira chevvaanam sirikka kandaen”

Comparing the evening sky's red hue to a beautiful smiling canvas and calling his love a pearl.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Maiyai itta kannaalae maiyal thandha naeram / Modha modhalaa thottaenae vaaikka karai oram”

Rhyming second letters across lines like 'Maiyai' and 'Modha', 'Unavillai' and 'En mugathai'.

Monnai (Alliteration)

“Muthaana muthangal alli alli tharuvaa”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'M' in 'Muthaana muthangal' and 'Sa' in 'Saayaamal saainjaalae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam for the 1978 film Kaatrinile Varum Geetham, this song captures the authentic rhythm of Tamil folk work songs (Oppari/Odam/Ammannai genre rhythms) combined with cinematic orchestration.

Keep listening

More from Kaatrinile Varum Geetham