Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raavu Neram Vaadakathu

From Sandhana Kaatru · 1990

Lyricist
Karaikudi Venkatesh
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Sandhana Kaatru1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raavu neram vaada kaathuAt nighttime, the cold north wind blows
Poovu rendum sernthukichuTwo flowers have come together
Yedhyedhoo aasa vandhadhu pullaVarious desires have arisen, my girl
Yelelangiliyae vaadi ullaeOh sweet bird-like girl, come inside
Paaya podu en noiyai theeruSpread the mat and cure my sickness
Paaya podu en noiyai theeruSpread the mat and cure my sickness
Female
Raavu neram vaada kaathuAt nighttime, the cold north wind blows
Poovu rendum sernthukichuTwo flowers have come together
Male
Hae machaan kai pattaalaeHey, when my husband's hand touches me
Magaraasi mugam sivakkumThe blessed woman's face turns red with blushes
Magaraasi thottalaeIf the blessed woman touches
Sorgam thaan uruvaagumHeaven itself will be created
Female
Samaakozhi koovayilaWhen the midnight rooster crows
Sathamilladha muthanthaanIt is a silent kiss
Samaakozhi koovayilaWhen the midnight rooster crows
Sathamilladha muthanthaanIt is a silent kiss
Male
Oru maadhiri ketkudhu moochuThe breath is heard in a strange way
Indha raavula veredhu pechuIn this night, what else is there to speak of?
Oru maadhiri ketkudhu moochuThe breath is heard in a strange way
Indha raavula veredhu pechuIn this night, what else is there to speak of?
Female
Mogam adhu oru mogamMale :HaeiPassion, it is a kind of passion (Male: Hey!)
Female :Yogam irutukku yogamFemale: Fortune, it is good fortune for the darkness
Male :Raavu neram vaada kaathuMale: At nighttime, the cold north wind blows
Female :Poovu rendum sernthukichuFemale: Two flowers have come together
Female
Thalavaazha elappottuLaying out a plantain leaf
Palagaaram palam ellamSweets and fruits, all of them
Parimaari vachirukkuHave been served and kept ready
Pasi neram vandhaachuThe time for hunger has arrived
Male
Saapaatukku virundhaaliFor the meal, the guest
Sariyaagathaan vandhirukaanHas arrived right on time
Saapaatukku virundhaaliFor the meal, the guest
Sariyaagathaan vandhirukaanHas arrived right on time
Female
Oru pombala sirichaa podhumIf a woman just smiles, that is enough
Indha podiyanukku adhuvae podhumFor this young boy, that alone is sufficient
Oru pombala sirichaa podhumIf a woman just smiles, that is enough
Indha podiyanukku adhuvae podhumFor this young boy, that alone is sufficient
Male
Vayasu sirikkudhu elasuYouth smiles, full of youthfulness
Sirichaa mayangudhu manasuWhen she smiles, the mind swoons
Female
Raavu neram vaada kaathuAt nighttime, the cold north wind blows
Poovu rendum sernthukichuTwo flowers have come together
Male :Yedhyedhoo aasa vandhadhu pullaeMale: Various desires have arisen, my girl
Yelelangiliyae vaadi ullaeOh sweet bird-like girl, come inside
Paaya podu en noiyai theeruSpread the mat and cure my sickness
Paaya podu en noiyai theeruSpread the mat and cure my sickness
Female
Ahaa haa haan..Male :Haa….(3)Ahaa haa haan.. Male: Haa... (3)
Both :Haan haa haan ….Both: Haan haa haan ....
Male
Ahaa haa haan..Female :Haa….(3)Ahaa haa haan.. Female: Haa... (3)
Both :Haan haa haan ….Both: Haan haa haan ....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic duet depicting the intimate night-time courtship between lovers. The chilly night wind ('vaada kaathu') serves as a atmospheric backdrop as both lovers express their deep affection, longing, and youthful desire for intimacy. Using traditional folk imagery of banquets, flowers, and nocturnal sounds, the lyrics express how love acts as a sweet cure for yearning hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Poovu rendum sernthukichu

Comparing the lovers to two flowers uniting ('Poovu rendum sernthukichu') and longing to sickness ('en noiyai theeru').

Emonai / Rhyming (Iyaibu)

Mogam adhu oru mogam / Yogam irutukku yogam

Use of internal rhyming words 'Mogam' (passion) and 'Yogam' (fortune) across adjacent lines to create rhythmic harmony.

Allegory / Extended Metaphor

Thalavaazha elappottu... Saapaatukku virundhaali

Comparing intimacy and lovemaking to serving a feast on a plantain leaf ('Thalavaazha elappottu') for an awaited guest.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1990 Tamil action drama film 'Sandhana Kaatru' directed by Manivannan, starring Vijayakanth and Gautami. The music for the film was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, featuring distinct folk-inspired rhythms popular in late 80s and early 90s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

More from Sandhana Kaatru