Odukira Thanniyila
From Achamillai Achamillai · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. S. Narasimhan
- Details
- Achamillai Achamillai1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Megaththa thoodhuvittaa thesa maari pogumonnu | Fearing that sending a cloud as a messenger might drift away in the wrong direction, |
| Thaagamulla machchaane thanniya naan thoodhu vitten | My thirsty beloved, I sent the flowing water as my messenger! |
| Thannikku indha kanni thanthanuppum muththamellaam | All the kisses this maiden leaves on the water, |
| Ennikka kuraiyaama eppa vanthu tharappora? | When will you come and deliver them without missing a single count? |
| Eppa vanthu tharappora? | When will you come and give them to me? |
| Female | |
| Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa | In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste, |
| Sendhuchcho serallaiyo | Did it reach or did it not? |
| Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa | In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste, |
| Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila | Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not? |
| Female | |
| Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile | Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water, |
| Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile | Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water, |
| Senthuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan kaigalile | Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover? |
| Male | |
| Adi graamaththu kiliye en kizhiyaatha thaavaniye | Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree! |
| Adi graamaththu kiliye en kizhiyaatha thaavaniye | Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree! |
| Kuliredukkum saaralukku koda pidikka vaa mayile | Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle! |
| Kuliredukkum saaralukku koda pidikka vaa mayile | Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle! |
| Female | |
| Kodaiyum illa padaiyum illa thooralukku aatharavaa | There is no umbrella, nor any shield to shelter from the rain; |
| Thaavaniya nee pizhiya thalai thuvatta naan varavaa | If you wring your half-saree, shall I come to dry your hair? |
| Male | |
| Nee nanaichcha aadaiyellaam nee pizhinjaa neervadiyum | If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip; |
| Nee nanaichcha aadaiyellaam nee pizhinjaa neervadiyum | If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip; |
| Aiththa magan naan pizhinjaa Aththanaiyum thaen vadiyum | If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop! |
| Aiththa magan naan pizhinjaa Aththanaiyum thaen vadiyum | If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop! |
| Female | |
| Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa | In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste, |
| Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila | Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not? |
| Female | |
| Mala thottaththu kuyilu ithu umakkaaga paadudhunga | This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you! |
| Mala thottaththu kuyilu ithu umakkaaga paadudhunga | This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you! |
| Aasaiya naan thoothu vida aruvi oru paalamunga | The waterfall serves as a bridge for me to send my love message! |
| Male | |
| Aruvi pola azhugiratha Arinthukondaal aagaatho? | Wouldn't it be nice if you realized that I weep like a waterfall? |
| Munthaanaiyin oramennai Mudinthukondaal aagaatho? | Wouldn't it be nice if you tied me to the edge of your saree end? |
| Female | |
| Vakkanaiyaa thaali vaangi vaasalukku vaaratheppo? | When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep? |
| Vakkanaiyaa thaali vaangi vaasalukku vaaratheppo? | When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep? |
| Umma paadham patta manneduththu naa pallu velakka poratheppo? | When will I brush my teeth using the soil touched by your feet? |
| Female | |
| Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa | In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste, |
| Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila | Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not? |
| Female | |
| Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile | Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water, |
| Senthuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan kaigalile | Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover? |
| Female | |
| Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa | In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste, |
| Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila | Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not? |
மேகத்த தூது விட்டா
திசை மாறி போகுமோன்னு
தாகம் உள்ள மச்சானே
தண்ணிய நான் தூது விட்டேன்
தண்ணிக்கு இந்த கன்னி
தந்தனுப்பும் முத்தமெல்லாம்
எண்ணிக்கை குறையாம
எப்ப வந்து தரப்போற
எப்ப வந்து தரப்போற
Fearing that sending a cloud as a messenger might drift away in the wrong direction,
My thirsty beloved, I sent the flowing water as my messenger!
All the kisses this maiden leaves on the water,
When will you come and deliver them without missing a single count?
When will you come and give them to me?
ஓடுகிற தண்ணியில
ஒரசி விட்டேன் சந்தனத்த
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
ஓடுகிற தண்ணியில
ஒரசி விட்டேன் சந்தனத்த
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவத்த மச்சான் நெத்தியிலே
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Did it reach or did it not?
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
ஓலை ஒண்ணு நான் எழுதி
ஓடவிட்டேன் தண்ணியில
ஓலை ஒண்ணு நான் எழுதி
ஓடவிட்டேன் தண்ணியில
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவ்வத்த மச்சான் கைகளிலே....
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover?
அடி கிராமத்து கிளியே
என் கிழியாத தாவணியே
அடி கிராமத்து கிளியே
என் கிழியாத தாவணியே
குளிரெடுக்கும் சாரலுக்கு
கொடை பிடிக்க வா மயிலு
குளிரெடுக்கும் சாரலுக்கு
கொடை பிடிக்க வா மயிலு
Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree!
Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree!
Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle!
Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle!
கொடையும் இல்ல படையுமில்ல
தூறலுக்கு ஆதரவா
தாவணிய நீ புழிய தல
துவட்ட நான் வரவா
There is no umbrella, nor any shield to shelter from the rain;
If you wring your half-saree, shall I come to dry your hair?
நீ நெனச்ச ஆடையெல்லாம்
நீ புழிஞ்சா நீர் வடியும்
நீ நெனச்ச ஆடையெல்லாம்
நீ புழிஞ்சா நீர் வடியும்
அயித்த மகன் நான் புழிஞ்ச
அத்தனையும் தேன் வடியும்...
அயித்த மகன் நான் புழிஞ்ச
அத்தனையும் தேன் வடியும்...
If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip;
If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip;
If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop!
If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop!
ஓடுகிற தண்ணியில
ஒரசி விட்டேன் சந்தனத்த
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவத்த மச்சான் நெத்தியிலே
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
மலத் தோட்டத்துக் குயிலு
இது உமக்காக பாடுதுங்க
மலத் தோட்டத்துக் குயிலு
இது உமக்காக பாடுதுங்க
ஆசைய நான் தூது விட
அருவி ஒரு பாலமுங்க
This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you!
This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you!
The waterfall serves as a bridge for me to send my love message!
அருவி போல அழுகிறதா
அறிந்துக்கொண்டால் ஆகாதோ
முந்தானையில் ஓரம் என்னை
முடிந்துக் கொண்டால் ஆகாதோ
Wouldn't it be nice if you realized that I weep like a waterfall?
Wouldn't it be nice if you tied me to the edge of your saree end?
வக்கணையா தாலி வாங்கி
வாசலுக்கு வாரதெப்போ
வக்கணையா தாலி வாங்கி
வாசலுக்கு வாரதெப்போ
ஒங்க பாதம் பட்ட மண்ணெடுத்து நான்
பல்லு வெளக்க போறதெப்போ....
When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep?
When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep?
When will I brush my teeth using the soil touched by your feet?
ஓடுகிற தண்ணியில
ஒரசி விட்டேன் சந்தனத்த
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவத்த மச்சான் நெத்தியிலே....
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
ஓலை ஒண்ணு நான் எழுதி
ஓடவிட்டேன் தண்ணியில
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவ்வத்த மச்சான் கைகளிலே......
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover?
ஓடுகிற தண்ணியில
ஒரசி விட்டேன் சந்தனத்த
சேர்ந்திச்சோ சேரலையோ
செவத்த மச்சான் நெத்தியிலே....
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
Megaththa thoodhuvittaa thesa maari pogumonnu
Fearing that sending a cloud as a messenger might drift away in the wrong direction,
Thaagamulla machchaane thanniya naan thoodhu vitten
My thirsty beloved, I sent the flowing water as my messenger!
Thannikku indha kanni thanthanuppum muththamellaam
All the kisses this maiden leaves on the water,
Ennikka kuraiyaama eppa vanthu tharappora?
When will you come and deliver them without missing a single count?
Eppa vanthu tharappora?
When will you come and give them to me?
Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Sendhuchcho serallaiyo
Did it reach or did it not?
Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Senthuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan kaigalile
Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover?
Adi graamaththu kiliye en kizhiyaatha thaavaniye
Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree!
Adi graamaththu kiliye en kizhiyaatha thaavaniye
Hey village parrot, my un-torn half-saree!
Kuliredukkum saaralukku koda pidikka vaa mayile
Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle!
Kuliredukkum saaralukku koda pidikka vaa mayile
Come peacock, hold an umbrella against this chilling drizzle!
Kodaiyum illa padaiyum illa thooralukku aatharavaa
There is no umbrella, nor any shield to shelter from the rain;
Thaavaniya nee pizhiya thalai thuvatta naan varavaa
If you wring your half-saree, shall I come to dry your hair?
Nee nanaichcha aadaiyellaam nee pizhinjaa neervadiyum
If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip;
Nee nanaichcha aadaiyellaam nee pizhinjaa neervadiyum
If you wring all the wet clothes you soaked, water will drip;
Aiththa magan naan pizhinjaa Aththanaiyum thaen vadiyum
If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop!
Aiththa magan naan pizhinjaa Aththanaiyum thaen vadiyum
If I, your aunt's son, wring them, pure honey will drip from every drop!
Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
Mala thottaththu kuyilu ithu umakkaaga paadudhunga
This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you!
Mala thottaththu kuyilu ithu umakkaaga paadudhunga
This cuckoo from the mountain garden sings only for you!
Aasaiya naan thoothu vida aruvi oru paalamunga
The waterfall serves as a bridge for me to send my love message!
Aruvi pola azhugiratha Arinthukondaal aagaatho?
Wouldn't it be nice if you realized that I weep like a waterfall?
Munthaanaiyin oramennai Mudinthukondaal aagaatho?
Wouldn't it be nice if you tied me to the edge of your saree end?
Vakkanaiyaa thaali vaangi vaasalukku vaaratheppo?
When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep?
Vakkanaiyaa thaali vaangi vaasalukku vaaratheppo?
When will you buy a fine sacred thali thread and come to my doorstep?
Umma paadham patta manneduththu naa pallu velakka poratheppo?
When will I brush my teeth using the soil touched by your feet?
Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
Ola onnu naan ezhuthi oda vitten thanniyile
Writing a palm-leaf letter, I set it afloat on the water,
Senthuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan kaigalile
Did it reach or not into the hands of my fair lover?
Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa
In the running water, I rubbed and mixed some sandalwood paste,
Sendhuchcho serallaiyo sevaththa machchaan neththiyila
Did it reach my fair-complexioned beloved's forehead or not?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Odugira Thanniyila is a evocative folk duet from the 1984 Tamil movie Achamillai Achamillai. Set against a lush rural landscape, the song features two lovers engaging in romantic playfulness using natural elements as metaphors. The female protagonist floats sandalwood paste and written palm leaves downstream, hoping the river carries her heartfelt emotions and kisses directly to her lover's hands and forehead. The male lover playfully responds by offering protection from the rain and flirting with her through sweet hyperbole, such as claiming that wringing her rain-soaked clothes would yield pure honey. As the song progresses, the heroine expresses her deep devotion and longing for marriage, asking when he will bring the sacred marital thread (thaali) to her doorstep. Vairamuthu's lyricism captures the essence of rural innocence, romantic devotion, and deep-rooted Tamil cultural traditions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Odugira thanniyila orasi vitten sandhanaththa”
Repetition of the initial 'O' sound in 'Odugira' and 'orasi' creates a harmonious rhythmic beat characteristic of Tamil folk music.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Aruvi pola azhugiratha Arinthukondaal aagaatho?”
The heroine compares her relentless tears of longing to a cascading waterfall ('Aruvi pola').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Mala thottaththu kuyilu ithu umakkaaga paadudhunga”
The singer metaphorically refers to herself as a mountain garden cuckoo ('kuyilu') singing specifically for her beloved.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi Ani)
“Aiththa magan naan pizhinjaa Aththanaiyum thaen vadiyum”
An exaggerated romantic statement claiming that if her cousin/lover wrings her rain-drenched clothes, sweet honey will drip instead of water.
Did you know?
Trivia
Achamillai Achamillai (1984) was directed by the acclaimed filmmaker K. Balachander. The film's musical score was composed by classical violinist V. S. Narasimhan, who blended traditional South Indian folk rhythms with Western string arrangements. Lyricist Vairamuthu won praise for embedding authentic Tamil rural slang, traditional courtship rituals, and nature-based metaphors into this timeless duet sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and P. Susheela.
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