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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rathiri Nerathu

From Marupiravi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, B. S. Sasirekha, Sarala
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Marupiravi1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadiWhat is the secret of the nighttime, my friend?
Ondraanavo manangalDid the hearts become united as one?
Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanaiHow much was seen, how much was heard?
Undaanavo sugangalWere sweet delights born?
Chorus
………………..………………..
Female
Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadiWhat is the secret of the nighttime, my friend?
Ondraanavo manangalDid the hearts become united as one?
Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanaiHow much was seen, how much was heard?
Undaanavo sugangalWere sweet delights born?
Female
Paal pazham kudiththaaroDid he partake in the milk and fruit?
Pasi illai endraaroDid he say he was no longer hungry?
Aarambam seithathumUpon starting...
Chorus :Aha haaChorus: Aha haa
Female :Adikkadi azhaiththathumFemale: Calling out frequently...
Chorus :Aha haaChorus: Aha haa
Female
Aarambam seithathumUpon starting...
Adikadi azhaiththathumCalling out frequently...
Neeyo avarthaanoWas it you or was it him?
Aadaiyai pidiththathum marbinil vizhunthathumHolding onto the garment and falling onto the chest...
Neeyo avarthaanoWas it you or was it him?
Chorus :Aadaiyai pidiththathum marbinil vizhunthathumChorus: Holding onto the garment and falling onto the chest...
Neeyo avarthaanoWas it you or was it him?
Female
Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadiWhat is the secret of the nighttime, my friend?
Ondraanavo manangalDid the hearts become united as one?
Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanaiHow much was seen, how much was heard?
Undaanavo sugangalWere sweet delights born?
Female
PoovaanathuBloomed like a flower
Chorus :Lala lala laaChorus: Lala lala laa
Female :Un vaazhvadiFemale: Your life, my friend
Chorus :Lala lala laaChorus: Lala lala laa
Female :ThaenaanathuFemale: Became as sweet as honey
Chorus :Lala lala laaChorus: Lala lala laa
Female :Orr naaladiFemale: Just in one day, my friend
Chorus :Lala lala laaChorus: Lala lala laa
Chorus
PoovaanathuBloomed like a flower
Female :Lala lala laaFemale: Lala lala laa
Chorus :Un vaazhvadiChorus: Your life, my friend
Female :Lala lala laaFemale: Lala lala laa
Chorus :ThaenaanathuChorus: Became as sweet as honey
Female :Lala lala laaFemale: Lala lala laa
Chorus :Orr naaladiChorus: Just in one day, my friend
Female :Lala lala laaFemale: Lala lala laa
Female
Nadanthathu orr iravu adi mudinthathu thaenilavuOne night passed, and the honeymoon came to a close, my friend
Nadanthathu orr iravu adi mudinthathu thaenilavuOne night passed, and the honeymoon came to a close, my friend
Chorus :Naangu kaalgal oridamChorus: Four feet in one place
Naalai innoru aayiramTomorrow, another thousand
Female
Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadiWhat is the secret of the nighttime, my friend?
Ondraanavo manangalDid the hearts become united as one?
Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanaiHow much was seen, how much was heard?
Undaanavo sugangalWere sweet delights born?
Female
Maan vizhi sivanthathadiYour deer-like eyes turned red, my friend
Vaayidhazh veluththathadiYour lips grew pale, my friend
Anantha ulagaththil nee kanda nadanangalThe dances you witnessed in the world of bliss...
Ondraa illai irandaaWere they one, or were they two?
Chorus
Maan vizhi sivanthathadiYour deer-like eyes turned red, my friend
Vaayidhazh veluththathadiYour lips grew pale, my friend
Anantha ulagaththil nee kanda nadanangalThe dances you witnessed in the world of bliss...
Ondraa illai irandaaWere they one, or were they two?
Female
Aalilai megalai poojaigal naalaiyumWill the sacred rituals of the waistband continue tomorrow as well?
Undaa innum undaaAre there still more to come?
Chorus :Aalilai megalai poojaigal naalaiyumChorus: Will the sacred rituals of the waistband continue tomorrow as well?
Undaa innum undaaAre there still more to come?
Female
Ninaivugal muzhuvathum theernthathaa solluTell me, are all your memories exhausted?
Chorus :Ninaivugal muzhuvathum theernthathaaChorus: Are all your memories exhausted?
Illai nilavinil panjanai thaeinthathaaOr did the bed of cotton wear away in the moonlight?
Female
Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadiWhat is the secret of the nighttime, my friend?
Ondraanavo manangalDid the hearts become united as one?
Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanaiHow much was seen, how much was heard?
Undaanavo sugangalWere sweet delights born?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Raaththiri neraththu ragasiyam ennadi from the 1973 Tamil film Marupiravi is a playful, teasing song sung by friends to a newlywed bride after her wedding night. Through subtle metaphors, sensual imagery, and lighthearted interrogation, lyricist Kannadasan captures the joyful curiosity and affectionate banter among women discussing intimacy and romantic fulfillment. Composed by T. R. Pappa and expressively rendered by L. R. Eswari, B. S. Sasireka, and Sarala, the song highlights classic romantic tropes in Tamil cinema such as milk and fruit, deer-like eyes, and the transformative sweetness of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Poovaanathu un vaazhvadi / Thaenaanathu orr naaladi

Life blooming like a flower and becoming sweet like honey represents the joyful transformation after marriage.

Rhyme and Rhythm (Ethirai / Monai)

Paarththathu eththanai kettathu eththanai

Internal rhyming and rhythmic assonance characteristic of Kannadasan's lyrical flow.

Sensory Visual Imagery

Maan vizhi sivanthathadi / Vaayidhazh veluththathadi

Describes physical signs of love and intimacy using subtle poetic tropes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Marupiravi (1973), directed by P. Madhavan, features Muthuraman and Manjula in lead roles. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track showcase his ability to write romantic and intimate teasing songs (Sringara rasa) using graceful metaphors, keeping the content tasteful for contemporary audiences.

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