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Lyrics & meaning

Raagam Thaalam Pallavi

From Theerpugal Thiruthapadalam · 1982

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Theerpugal Thiruthapadalam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………….....
Male
Raagam thaalam pallavi athu kadhal bhoopaalamaeRaga, rhythm, and melody line; it is the morning song of love.
Female :Raagam thaalam pallavi athu kadhal bhoopaalamaeFemale: Raga, rhythm, and melody line; it is the morning song of love.
Male :Vaanam sinthum neram aasai nenjil mothumMale: As the sky spills color, desire surges in the heart.
Female :Pongum innaalae nam pon naal aa…aa…Female: Overflowing today, this is our golden day, ah... ah...
Male :Pongum innaalae nam pon naalMale: Overflowing today, this is our golden day.
Male
Idhazh tharum malarae pazharasa nadhiyaeO flower offering lips, O river of sweet juice,
En thegam theekkadalaeMy body is an ocean of fire.
Female :Kannan nenjin thaagamFemale: The thirst in Lord Krishna's heart,
Gangai kinnam theerkkumShall be quenched by a bowl of Ganga water.
Un mogam min kaattru mella alla vaaLet the breeze of your desire gently scoop it up.
Male
Idhazh tharum malarae pazharasa nadhiyaeO flower offering lips, O river of sweet juice,
En thegam theekkadalaeMy body is an ocean of fire.
Female :Kannan nenjin thaagamFemale: The thirst in Lord Krishna's heart,
Gangai kinnam theerkkumShall be quenched by a bowl of Ganga water.
Un mogam min kaattru mella alla vaaLet the breeze of your desire gently scoop it up.
Male
Thogai neethaan kaaman paalamYou are the peacock, the bridge of Cupid,
Aaval theerkkum deva logamThe heavenly realm that quenches deep longing.
Female :Maalaigal soodi kollum thaedhi paarkkattumFemale: Let us check the date to wear wedding garlands.
Male
Raagam thaalam pallavi athu kadhal bhoopaalamaeRaga, rhythm, and melody line; it is the morning song of love.
Female :Vaanam sinthum neram aasai nenjil mothumFemale: As the sky spills color, desire surges in the heart.
Pongum innaalae nam pon naalOverflowing today, this is our golden day.
Male :Aa…aa…pongum innaalae nam pon naalMale: Ah... ah... overflowing today, this is our golden day.
Male
Vaanum mannum dheepamettri maarum neramithuThis is the moment heaven and earth light lamps and transform.
Vaanum mannum dheepamettri maarum neramithuThis is the moment heaven and earth light lamps and transform.
Female :Paaavai meani poovaipola aagum velaiyithuFemale: This is the time a woman's body becomes like a tender flower.
Paaavai meani poovaipola aagum velaiyithuThis is the time a woman's body becomes like a tender flower.
Male
Kaalangal melangalAges and drums,
Female :Nerangal thaalangalFemale: Moments and rhythms,
Male :Thegangal raagangalMale: Bodies and ragas,
Female :Kolangal podungalFemale: Draw auspicious patterns!
Female
Paaavai meani poovaipola aagum velaiyithuThis is the time a woman's body becomes like a tender flower.
Male :Vaanam sinthum neramMale: As the sky spills color,
Female :Aasai nenjil mothumFemale: Desire surges in the heart,
Male :PongumMale: Overflowing,
Female :InnaalaeFemale: Today,
Both :Nam pon naalBoth: Is our golden day.
Aa….Pongum innaalae nam pon naalAh... overflowing today, this is our golden day.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This duet depicts a deeply passionate conversation between two lovers who view their romance through the lens of classical music and divine devotion. They equate their blossoming romance to classical elements—raga (melody), thaalam (rhythm), and pallavi (the primary thematic line)—culminating in a morning raga of love (Bhoopalam). Through rich poetic imagery of fire, holy rivers, flowers, and heavenly bridges, the lovers express their intense physical longing and anticipation for their upcoming marriage union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Raagam thaalam pallavi athu kadhal bhoopaalamae

Love is directly metaphorized as classical music components (Raagam, Thaalam, Pallavi) and the dawn raga (Bhoopalam).

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

En thegam theekkadalae

Exaggerating intense passionate desire by calling the body a sea of fire.

Simile (Uvamai)

Paaavai meani poovaipola aagum velaiyithu

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare a young woman's delicate body to a tender flower.

Rhyme / Monai & Ethirukai

Kaalangal melangal / Nerangal thaalangal / Thegangal raagangal

Rhythmic word pairing using repeating suffixes (-gal) to create a musical cadence matching the beat.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Raagam Thaalam Pallavi' was composed by the popular musical duo Shankar-Ganesh for the 1982 film 'Theerpugal Thiruthapadalam'. Lyricist Pulamaipithan cleverly weaves classical music terminology and mythological metaphors to express intimacy within a traditional Tamil cinematic duet framework.

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