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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rathiri Thookkam Kettu

From Poruthathu Podhum · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poruthathu Podhum1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………………...
Male :…………………..Male: ...
Female
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Eera nilavu suttu pochuThe moist moon has burnt down
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Eera nilavu suttu pochuThe moist moon has burnt down
Hae hae hae hae vaa raaja vaaHae hae hae hae come king come
Kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomAs King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomAs King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Female
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Eera nilavu suttu pochuThe moist moon has burnt down
Female
{Aazhang kaanatha aasai kadal thaan{An ocean of desire whose depth cannot be found
Aadai kondaadum vanji udal thaanThe slender waist's body celebrates in garments
Kanni thaan thaavum thanga maanuThe maiden is a leaping golden deer
Kannu thaan rendu vaazha meenu} (2)Her two eyes are like live fish} (2)
Female
Sindhu paadum sittu thaan vaadaCome, little bird that sings Sindhu songs
Vandhu thaan saeru sinna maamaCome and join me, young uncle
Saethil molacha naathu irukkuThere is a sapling sprouted in the mud
Saethu anaikka kaathu irukkaIs there a breeze waiting to embrace it together?
Rendumae konjanum onnaaga thaanBoth need to pamper each other together
Veppam aana soppanam undaaga thaanFor a warm dream to be born
Male
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Eera nilavu suttu pochuThe moist moon has burnt down
Hae hae hae hae vaa raani vaaHae hae hae hae come queen come
Kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomAs King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Ada kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomHey, as King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Female
………………………....
Male
Melam undaachu thaalamadikkaThe drum is ready to strike the rhythm
Mogam vandhaachu paattu padikkaPassion has arrived to sing a song
Andhiyil paadum indha ragamThis ragam sung in the evening twilight
Manmadhan kaadhil sonna raagamIs the melody whispered in the ear of Cupid
Male
Melam undaachu thaalamadikkaThe drum is ready to strike the rhythm
Mogam vandhaachu paattu padikkaPassion has arrived to sing a song
Thakka thina thaaThakka thina thaa
Andhiyil paadum indha ragamThis ragam sung in the evening twilight
Manmadhan kaadhil sonna raagamIs the melody whispered in the ear of Cupid
Male
Sengani thaangum solai thaan aadaAs the grove bearing red fruits sways
Ingu naan vandhu thaangalaamaMay I come here to hold and support?
Nooru koduthaa kodi eduppenIf you give a hundred, I will take a crore
Maala koduthaa paayai virippenIf you give a garland, I will lay out the mat
Rendumae konjanum onnaaga thaanBoth need to pamper each other together
Veppamaana soppanam undaaga thaanFor a warm dream to be born
Female
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Eera nilavu suttu pochuThe moist moon has burnt down
Male :Ada hae hae hae vaa raani vaaMale: Hey hae hae hae come queen come
Kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomAs King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Female :Haei kingu thaan queen thaan rammi aaduvomFemale: Hey, as King and Queen, let us play rummy
Mummiya daddyaa aattam poduvomAs Mommy and Daddy, let us dance
Male
Raathiri thookam kettu pochuNight's sleep has been ruined
Female :Eera nilavu suttu pochuFemale: The moist moon has burnt down

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poruthathu Podhum is a playful and romantic duet depicting the passionate longing of two lovers during a sleepless night. The lyrics express how the intensity of their romantic desire makes even the cool night moon feel like burning fire, disrupting their sleep and drawing them together in playful intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Kannu thaan rendu vaazha meenu

Compares the maiden's lively eyes to active, living fish.

Paradox / Oxymoron

Eera nilavu suttu pochu

Contrasts cool moisture ('eera nilavu') with burning heat ('suttu pochu') to illustrate the heat of passion.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Raathiri thookam kettu pochu / Eera nilavu suttu pochu

The second letters 'th' in 'Raathiri' and 'e' in 'Eera' follow rhythmic sound patterns in Tamil poetry across lines.

Mythological Imagery

Manmadhan kaadhil sonna raagam

References Manmadhan (the Hindu deity of love and desire) to emphasize the romantic mood of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by legendary lyricist Vaali for the 1989 film Poruthathu Podhum starring Vijayakanth and Kanaka, the song is notable for Vaali's signature blending of modern English words like 'King', 'Queen', 'Mummiya', and 'Daddyaa' with traditional Tamil metaphors.

Keep listening

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