Meni Kodhikkuthadi
From Thendral Varum Theru · 1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Meni kodhikkuthadi | My body boils, oh dear |
| Minnal thudikkaiyilae | When lightning pulses |
| Vaanam sirippathenna | Why is the sky laughing? |
| Unathan vaazhkkai azhuvathenna | Why is your life weeping? |
| Ullam ingae nogirathu | The heart aches here |
| Ulagam engae pogirathu….oo….. | Where is the world heading to... oh... |
| Male | |
| Meni kodhikkuthadi….. | My body boils, oh dear... |
| Male | |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa | Is woman a fallen, shed flower? |
| Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa | Is woman a dried up fruit? |
| Erugil erintha ilaiyaa | Is she a leaf burned in fire? |
| Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa | Is woman a melting candle wick? |
| Male | |
| Nilave oliyae kel | Oh moon, oh light, listen |
| Avar kadhaigalaiyae | To her tragic stories |
| Kadalae alaiyae kel | Oh sea, oh waves, listen |
| Avar nilaigalaiyae | To her plight |
| Male | |
| Kettaal porukkaathae | It is unbearable if heard |
| Adhai kettae verukkaathae | Do not hate it upon hearing |
| Kettaal porukkaathae | It is unbearable if heard |
| Adhai kettae verukkaathae | Do not hate it upon hearing |
| Male | |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa | Is woman a fallen, shed flower? |
| Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa | Is woman a dried up fruit? |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa….. | Is woman a fallen, shed flower?... |
| Male | |
| Manithar vaazhvai manithar parikum | Human snatching away human's life |
| Vazhakkam ingaethaan | Is the custom right here |
| Manathu noga magizhnthu rasikkum | Finding joy and pleasure in others' aching heart |
| Vaazhkkai ingaethaan | Such is the life here |
| Male | |
| Kavithai kodi enakku thantha | The one who gave me millions of poems |
| Kannil kanneeraa | Does she have tears in her eyes? |
| Pedhai seitha kuttram enna | What crime did this innocent girl commit? |
| Kannil kandeeraa | Did you see it with your eyes? |
| Male | |
| Paavam seiyyaathavan | Let the one who hasn't sinned |
| Aval mael kal veesalaam | Throw the stone at her |
| Dhurogam seiyaathavan | Let the one who hasn't betrayed |
| Thooimaithanai pesalaam | Speak of purity |
| Manithaa….aa….manithaa….aa…. | Oh human... oh human... |
| Male | |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa | Is woman a fallen, shed flower? |
| Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa | Is woman a dried up fruit? |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa….. | Is woman a fallen, shed flower?... |
| Male | |
| Salavai seiyum Manithan naavil | On the tongue of a washerman |
| Seedhai azhukkaanaal | Sita became unclean |
| Thalaiyai aattum manithar sathiyaal | By the conspiracy of nodding men |
| Pedhai vazhakkaanaal | The innocent girl became a court case |
| Male | |
| Neruppin melae nadakka sollum | The Ramayana that asks one to walk over fire |
| Raamayanamthaanae | Is it only in scripture? |
| Nidhamum nidhamum nadakkuthingae | It happens here every single day |
| Aamaam nijamthaanae | Yes, it is the truth! |
| Male | |
| Kavithai thantha paingili | Should the sweet parrot who gave poetry |
| Kanneer sinthi vaadavo | Wither shedding tears? |
| Kaalam ennum vaasalil | At the doorway called time |
| Theeyor aattam podavo | Should evil people dance? |
| Manithaa….aa….manithaa….aa…. | Oh human... oh human... |
| Male | |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa | Is woman a fallen, shed flower? |
| Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa | Is woman a dried up fruit? |
| Erugil erintha ilaiyaa | Is leaf burned in fire? |
| Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa | Is woman a melting candle wick? |
| Male | |
| Nilave Oliyae kel | Oh moon, oh light, listen |
| Avar kadhaigalaiyae | To her tragic stories |
| Kadalae alaiyae kel | Oh sea, oh waves, listen |
| Avar nilaigalaiyae | To her plight |
| Male | |
| Kettaal porukkaathae | It is unbearable if heard |
| Adhai kettae verukkaathae | Do not hate it upon hearing |
| Kettaal porukkaathae | It is unbearable if heard |
| Adhai kettae verukkaathae | Do not hate it upon hearing |
| Male | |
| Udhirntha udhiri poovaa | Is woman a fallen, shed flower? |
| Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa | Is woman a dried up fruit? |
| Erugil erintha ilaiyaa | Is she a leaf burned in fire? |
| Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa | Is woman a melting candle wick? |
மேனி கொதிக்குதடி...
மின்னல் துடிக்கையிலே...
வானம் சிரிப்பதென்ன
உந்தன் வாழ்க்கை அழுவதென்ன
உள்ளம் இங்கே நோகிறது
உலகம் எங்கே போகிறது......ஊ....
My body boils, oh dear
When lightning pulses
Why is the sky laughing?
Why is your life weeping?
The heart aches here
Where is the world heading to... oh...
மேனி கொதிக்குதடி...
My body boils, oh dear...
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா
பெண் உலர்ந்து காய்ந்த கனியா
எருகில் எரிந்த இலையா
பெண் உருகும் மெழுகு திரியா
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Is she a leaf burned in fire?
Is woman a melting candle wick?
நிலவே ஒளியே கேள்
அவர் கதைகளையே
கடலே அலையே கேள்
அவர் நிலைகளையே
Oh moon, oh light, listen
To her tragic stories
Oh sea, oh waves, listen
To her plight
கேட்டால் பொறுக்காதே
அதை கேட்டே வெறுக்காதே
கேட்டால் பொறுக்காதே
அதை கேட்டே வெறுக்காதே
It is unbearable if heard
Do not hate it upon hearing
It is unbearable if heard
Do not hate it upon hearing
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா
பெண் உலர்ந்து காய்ந்த கனியா
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா....
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?...
மனிதர் வாழ்வை மனிதர் பறிக்கும்
வழக்கம் இங்கேதான்
மனது நோக மகிழ்ந்து ரசிக்கும்
வாழ்க்கை இங்கேதான்
Human snatching away human's life
Is the custom right here
Finding joy and pleasure in others' aching heart
Such is the life here
கவிதை கோடி எனக்குத் தந்த
கண்ணில் கண்ணீரா
பேதை செய்த குற்றம் என்ன
கண்ணில் கண்டீரா
The one who gave me millions of poems
Does she have tears in her eyes?
What crime did this innocent girl commit?
Did you see it with your eyes?
பாவம் செய்யாதவன்
அவள் மேல் கல் வீசலாம்
துரோகம் செய்யாதவன்
தூய்மைதனை பேசலாம்
மனிதா......ஆ... மனிதா........ஆ.....
Let the one who hasn't sinned
Throw the stone at her
Let the one who hasn't betrayed
Speak of purity
Oh human... oh human...
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா
பெண் உலர்ந்து காய்ந்த கனியா
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா....
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?...
சலவை செய்யும் மனிதன் நாவில்
சீதை அழுக்கானாள்
தலையை ஆட்டும் மனிதர் சதியால்
பேதை வழக்கானாள்
On the tongue of a washerman
Sita became unclean
By the conspiracy of nodding men
The innocent girl became a court case
நெருப்பின் மேலே நடக்கச் சொல்லும்
ராமாயணம்தானே
நிதமும் நிதமும் நடக்குதிங்கே
ஆமாம் நிஜம்தானே
The Ramayana that asks one to walk over fire
Is it only in scripture?
It happens here every single day
Yes, it is the truth!
கவிதை தந்த பைங்கிளி
கண்ணீர் சிந்தி வாடவோ
காலம் என்னும் வாசலில்
தீயோர் ஆட்டம் போடவோ
மனிதா......ஆ... மனிதா........ஆ.....
Should the sweet parrot who gave poetry
Wither shedding tears?
At the doorway called time
Should evil people dance?
Oh human... oh human...
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா
பெண் உலர்ந்து காய்ந்த கனியா
எருகில் எரிந்த இலையா
பெண் உருகும் மெழுகு திரியா
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Is leaf burned in fire?
Is woman a melting candle wick?
நிலவே ஒளியே கேள்
அவர் கதைகளையே
கடலே அலையே கேள்
அவர் நிலைகளையே
Oh moon, oh light, listen
To her tragic stories
Oh sea, oh waves, listen
To her plight
கேட்டால் பொறுக்காதே
அதை கேட்டே வெறுக்காதே
கேட்டால் பொறுக்காதே
அதை கேட்டே வெறுக்காதே
It is unbearable if heard
Do not hate it upon hearing
It is unbearable if heard
Do not hate it upon hearing
உதிர்ந்த உதிரிப் பூவா
பெண் உலர்ந்து காய்ந்த கனியா
எருகில் எரிந்த இலையா
பெண் உருகும் மெழுகு திரியா
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Is she a leaf burned in fire?
Is woman a melting candle wick?
Meni kodhikkuthadi
My body boils, oh dear
Minnal thudikkaiyilae
When lightning pulses
Vaanam sirippathenna
Why is the sky laughing?
Unathan vaazhkkai azhuvathenna
Why is your life weeping?
Ullam ingae nogirathu
The heart aches here
Ulagam engae pogirathu….oo…..
Where is the world heading to... oh...
Meni kodhikkuthadi…..
My body boils, oh dear...
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Erugil erintha ilaiyaa
Is she a leaf burned in fire?
Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa
Is woman a melting candle wick?
Nilave oliyae kel
Oh moon, oh light, listen
Avar kadhaigalaiyae
To her tragic stories
Kadalae alaiyae kel
Oh sea, oh waves, listen
Avar nilaigalaiyae
To her plight
Kettaal porukkaathae
It is unbearable if heard
Adhai kettae verukkaathae
Do not hate it upon hearing
Kettaal porukkaathae
It is unbearable if heard
Adhai kettae verukkaathae
Do not hate it upon hearing
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa…..
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?...
Manithar vaazhvai manithar parikum
Human snatching away human's life
Vazhakkam ingaethaan
Is the custom right here
Manathu noga magizhnthu rasikkum
Finding joy and pleasure in others' aching heart
Vaazhkkai ingaethaan
Such is the life here
Kavithai kodi enakku thantha
The one who gave me millions of poems
Kannil kanneeraa
Does she have tears in her eyes?
Pedhai seitha kuttram enna
What crime did this innocent girl commit?
Kannil kandeeraa
Did you see it with your eyes?
Paavam seiyyaathavan
Let the one who hasn't sinned
Aval mael kal veesalaam
Throw the stone at her
Dhurogam seiyaathavan
Let the one who hasn't betrayed
Thooimaithanai pesalaam
Speak of purity
Manithaa….aa….manithaa….aa….
Oh human... oh human...
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa…..
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?...
Salavai seiyum Manithan naavil
On the tongue of a washerman
Seedhai azhukkaanaal
Sita became unclean
Thalaiyai aattum manithar sathiyaal
By the conspiracy of nodding men
Pedhai vazhakkaanaal
The innocent girl became a court case
Neruppin melae nadakka sollum
The Ramayana that asks one to walk over fire
Raamayanamthaanae
Is it only in scripture?
Nidhamum nidhamum nadakkuthingae
It happens here every single day
Aamaam nijamthaanae
Yes, it is the truth!
Kavithai thantha paingili
Should the sweet parrot who gave poetry
Kanneer sinthi vaadavo
Wither shedding tears?
Kaalam ennum vaasalil
At the doorway called time
Theeyor aattam podavo
Should evil people dance?
Manithaa….aa….manithaa….aa….
Oh human... oh human...
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Erugil erintha ilaiyaa
Is leaf burned in fire?
Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa
Is woman a melting candle wick?
Nilave Oliyae kel
Oh moon, oh light, listen
Avar kadhaigalaiyae
To her tragic stories
Kadalae alaiyae kel
Oh sea, oh waves, listen
Avar nilaigalaiyae
To her plight
Kettaal porukkaathae
It is unbearable if heard
Adhai kettae verukkaathae
Do not hate it upon hearing
Kettaal porukkaathae
It is unbearable if heard
Adhai kettae verukkaathae
Do not hate it upon hearing
Udhirntha udhiri poovaa
Is woman a fallen, shed flower?
Penn ularnthu kaaintha kaniyaa
Is woman a dried up fruit?
Erugil erintha ilaiyaa
Is she a leaf burned in fire?
Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa
Is woman a melting candle wick?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This emotional track from 'Thendral Varum Theru' (1994) with lyrics by renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha addresses the hardships, injustice, and societal judgment faced by women. Through vivid metaphors comparing a woman's suffering to fallen flowers, withered fruits, and melting candle wicks, the narrator calls out society's cruelty and hypocrisy. The song draws powerful biblical and epic allusions—citing Jesus Christ's famous words ('Let he who is without sin cast the first stone') and the epic Ramayana ('Sita being tested by fire due to a washerman's gossip')—to highlight how historical prejudices against women continue to repeat themselves in modern times.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Penn urugum mezhugu thiriyaa”
Compares a woman's state to fallen flowers (Udhirntha poovaa) and melting candle wicks (Mezhugu thiriyaa) to evoke empathy.
Allusion / Epic Reference
“Salavai seiyum Manithan naavil Seedhai azhukkaanaal”
Refers to the Ramayana trial of Sita by fire and the washerman's slander to critique societal gossip and moral double standards.
Biblical Allusion
“Paavam seiyyaathavan Aval mael kal veesalaam”
Echoes the Biblical teaching from John 8:7 ('Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her').
Apostrophe / Personification
“Nilave oliyae kel Avar kadhaigalaiyae”
Addresses nature (the moon, light, sea, and waves) as listeners to witness human grief.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Mu. Metha (M. Metha) is a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Tamil poet and lyricist renowned for integrating strong social realism, feminist perspectives, and reformist themes into mainstream Tamil cinema songs.
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