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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rathiri Nadanthatha

From Iru Thuruvam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Iru Thuruvam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Amma……amma….amma….Oh my... oh my... oh my...
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Maaththirai pottaarpol irukkuthammaaIt feels as if I have taken a intoxicating pill, oh dear!
Oru manthiram sonnaarpol mayanguthammaaI swoon as if he whispered a magical spell, oh dear!
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Female
Poosai pannum saami vaichcha neram mm….The divine timing set by the worshipped deity, mm...
Poovirinthu vaadum ponnu konda kolamThe state of a maiden blooming like a flower and wilting in love.
Pullukkattu ninaippilae allikkatti anaikkavaeThinking of a bundle of hay, to wrap and embrace tight,
Enni enni yaenguthae yaekkaththilaeLonging endlessly in deep anticipation...
Pullukkattu ninaippilae allikkatti anaikkavaeThinking of a bundle of hay, to wrap and embrace tight,
Enni enni yaenguthae yaekkaththilaeLonging endlessly in deep anticipation...
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Female
Poo mudichcha pothae naan ninaichchu paarththaenaeWhen I wore flowers in my hair, I had imagined it;
Naan nenaichchathellaam naalu pangu maelaeYet reality turned out four times sweeter than all I imagined!
Kaayam patta kili onnuLike a wounded parrot,
Saayam patta mugam onnuLike a face tinted with blush,
Venum intha sugaminnu kulikkuthuBasking in delight, craving for this bliss...
Amma…….amma……amma……Oh my... oh my... oh my...
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Female
Kaadu vetti pottu thottamittaen naanaeI cleared the wilderness and laid out a garden myself,
Kanni konda raja pooparikka thaanaeOnly for the king who won this maiden to pluck its flowers!
Jodi onnu kalanthathu kodu onnu vizhunthathuA pair united, a line was drawn,
Seval solli vidinthathu sugamaagaAnd dawn arrived joyfully with the rooster's call!
Amma…….amma……amma……Oh my... oh my... oh my...
Female
Raththiri nadanthathai nenaichchaakkaWhen I recall what happened last night,
Antha ragasiyam eppadi inikkuthammaaOh dear, how sweet that secret feels!
Amma…….amma……amma……Oh my... oh my... oh my...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Raththiri Nadanthathai Nenaichchaakka is a classic sensual track from the 1971 Tamil film 'Iru Thuruvam'. The song captures the coy bashfulness and secret joy of a bride reminiscing about her intimate wedding night. She describes her husband's touch and loving words as an enchanting spell that leaves her entranced and swooning with happiness. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance shines through rural metaphors—such as preparing a garden for a king or waiting for dawn with the rooster's crow—to convey passion tastefully. Enhanced by P. Susheela's expressive rendition and M. S. Viswanathan's melody, the song remains a celebrated romantic portrait in Tamil cinema.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Maaththirai pottaarpol irukkuthammaa / Oru manthiram sonnaarpol mayanguthammaa

Comparing the overwhelming feeling of romantic intoxication to taking a potent pill ('Maaththirai pottaarpol') or being under an incantation ('manthiram sonnaarpol').

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Kaayam patta kili onnu / Saayam patta mugam onnu

The second letters of 'Kaayam' and 'Saayam' match ('ya'), creating a pleasant rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Kaadu vetti pottu thottamittaen naanae / Kanni konda raja pooparikka thaanae

Using the creation of a garden ('thottam') as a metaphor for preparing her heart and body for her king ('raja') to pick flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Iru Thuruvam' stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. P. Susheela's playful 'Amma... Amma...' vocal improvs in this song became instantly iconic, showcasing her remarkable ability to express youthful bashfulness through song.

Keep listening

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