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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhagam Thanindhadhu

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Susheela, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dhaagam thanindhadhuThirst is quenched
Dhaagam thanindhadhu annamaeMy physical thirst is quenched, O graceful swan!
Endru mogham thaniyumoo sornamaeWhen will my passionate desire subside, O golden one?
En dhaagam thanindhadhu annamaeMy physical thirst is quenched, O graceful swan!
Mogham thaniyumoo sornamaeWill my passionate desire ever subside, O golden one?
Sagasam pannadhae thangamaeDo not play your clever tricks on me, my gold!
Thangamae ..kura thangamaePure gold... immaculate gold!
Sagasam pannadhae thangamaeDo not play your clever tricks on me, my gold!
Unakku sariyaana jadhai indha singamaeThis lion is the rightful match for you!
Sagasam pannadhae thangamaeDo not play your clever tricks on me, my gold!
Unakku sariyaana jadhai indha singamaeThis lion is the rightful match for you!
Dhaagam thanindhadhu annamaeMy physical thirst is quenched, O graceful swan!
Endru mogham thaniyumoo sornamaeWhen will my passionate desire subside, O golden one?
Female
Thalladi thalladiStaggering and faltering
Thalladi thalladi thaiyathaa podumStaggering, faltering, and dancing to a rhythm
Swaamigal pol vandha thagathathaO old man who arrived looking like a holy ascetic!
Thalladi thalladi thaiyathaa podumStaggering, faltering, and dancing to a rhythm
Swaamigal pol vandha thagathathaO old man who arrived looking like a holy ascetic!
Sallaabha kizham nalla arivuthaanAn old age spent in romantic banter surely has great wisdom
Sallaabha kizham nalla arivuthaanAn old age spent in romantic banter surely has great wisdom
Pengal sabalathil adhu konjam kuraivu thaanYet it falters slightly when tempted by women
Pengal sabalathil adhu konjam kuraivu thaanYet it falters slightly when tempted by women
Thalladi thalladi thaiyathaa podumStaggering, faltering, and dancing to a rhythm
Swaamigal pol vandha thagathathaO old man who arrived looking like a holy ascetic!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from the mythological movie Srivalli (1961) captures the famous divine encounter where Lord Murugan approaches Valli in the guise of an elderly ascetic (Kilavan). After drinking water offered by Valli, Murugan declares that while his physical thirst has been quenched, his romantic longing for her remains. Valli responds with witty, teasing banter, playfully mocking the old man's staggering gait and cheeky flirtation while seeing through his drama.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Dhaagam thanindhadhu annamae / Endru mogham thaniyumoo sornamae

Consistent end rhyming across lines using honorific end-words: 'annamae' (swan), 'sornamae' (gold), 'thangamae' (precious gold), and 'singamae' (lion).

Anaphora & Onomatopoeia (Adukkuthodar)

Thalladi thalladi thaiyathaa podum

Repetition of rhythmic words like 'Thalladi thalladi' mimics the unsteady, staggering walk of an elderly person, creating vivid audio-visual imagery.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Unakku sariyaana jadhai indha singamae

Addressing the heroine as 'annamae' (swan) and 'sornamae' (gold), while the hero addresses himself as 'singamae' (lion), enriching the romantic theme through classical metaphors.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the classical Thiruvilaiyadal folklore of Murugan and Valli, Lord Murugan assumes three main disguises to win Valli's heart: a hunter, an old ascetic man, and a tree. This song depicts the 'Kilavar' (Old Man) episode, where Murugan pretends to be fragile and thirsty to start a conversation with Valli.

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