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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Thuli Thannerukku

From Kalyana Kanavugal · 1984

Lyricist
Shanmugaseelan
Singers
G. Krishna, Banu Roopini
Music director
G. E. Raja
Movie name
Kalyana Kanavugal
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
11 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oru thuli thanneerukku iru thuli kanneer thaaraen
Oorellaam mazhai neerai odi vaa chella kannae
Veragugal kedachchirukku vega vaikka yaedhumilla
Pasanam irunthaathaanae pattini theerum kannae
Vaanaththula nee irunthu vanthu vidu en kannae
Vaadugira payirukellaam vaattangal poyidumae
Nee thulli vilaiyaadidalaam pulveliyil odidalaam
Kettu nontha uyirkalodu reengaaram paadidalaam
Oru thuli thanneerukku iru thuli kanneer thaaraen
Oorellaam mazhai neerai odi vaa chella kannae
Yaelaeelaelae yaelaeelaelae…ae…ae….ae….aa….aa….
Intha aappanooru makkalellaam paakkurom
Nee neraththodu vanthuvidu nimmathiyaayiduvom
Paadupadum yaezhaikellaam needhaan chellapulla
En paattu saththam kettathum vanthaa needhaan nalla pulla
Oru thuli thanneerukku iru thuli kanneer thaaraen
Oorellaam mazhai neerai odi vaa chella kannae
Veragugal kedachchirukku vega vaikka yaedhumilla
Pasanam irunthaathaanae pattini theerum kannae
Thanthaanaanae thanthanaanae
Thanthanaanae thanthaanaanae
Thanthaanaanae thanthanaanae
Thanthanaanae thanthaanaanae
Thanthana naanae naanaa naanaa thaananae…
For one drop of water, I will give two drops of tears.
Come running as rainwater across the village, my precious darling.
We have gathered firewood, but have nothing to cook.
Only if there is water to farm will our hunger end, my dear.
Descend from the skies and come down, my darling.
The distress of all the wilting crops will disappear.
You can dance and play, and run across the meadows.
You can sing a sweet tune along with all the suffering souls.
For one drop of water, I will give two drops of tears.
Come running as rainwater across the village, my precious darling.
Elay lay lay lay... elay lay lay lay... yay... yay... aa... aa...
All of us people of Appanoor are watching and waiting.
Arrive on time, so we can finally find relief.
To all of us poor working folk, you are our darling child.
If you come upon hearing my song, you will truly be a good child.
For one drop of water, I will give two drops of tears.
Come running as rainwater across the village, my precious darling.
We have gathered firewood, but have nothing to cook.
Only if there is water to farm will our hunger end, my dear.
Thandhaanane thandhanane
Thandhanane thandhaanane
Thandhaanane thandhanane
Thandhanane thandhaanane
Thandhana naane naanaa naanaa thaanane...
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a poignant rain-invoking folk hymn from the movie 'Kalyana Kanavugal' (1984), written by lyricist Shanmugaseelan. Set in a drought-stricken village called Aappanoor, the singer personifies rain as a beloved child ('chella kannae') and tenderly begs it to fall from the sky. The villagers express their dire situation—having firewood to cook with, but no food crops left to boil—emphasizing that only rain can relieve their severe starvation and bring life back to the wilting crops.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Oorellaam mazhai neerai odi vaa chella kannae”

Rain is personified as a beloved young child who is coaxed to run, play, and respond to songs.

Contrast / Hyperbole

“Oru thuli thanneerukku iru thuli kanneer thaaraen”

Contrasts one drop of water with two drops of tears to dramatically highlight the villagers' desperation.

Ethugai (Second-letter Assonance)

“Oru thuli... / iru thuli...”

The second letters 'ru' in 'Oru' and 'Iru' match, creating a traditional Tamil rhyming pattern.

Refrain / Folk Chorus

“Thanthaanaanae thanthanaanae...”

Use of traditional Tamil folk rhythm vocables (Thanthanana) to maintain tempo and evocative mood.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Shanmugaseelan for the 1984 Tamil film 'Kalyana Kanavugal', this song draws upon traditional rural rain-invocation traditions ('Mazhai Paattu') where villagers sing emotionally to the heavens during severe droughts.

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