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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sithaadai Katti Irrukkum

From Ther Thiruvizha · 1968

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ther Thiruvizha1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sithaadai katti irrukkum sittuOh little bird wearing a small silk skirt,
Chinna sittu unn paarvai minvettu…Little bird, your gaze is like a flash of lightning...
Male
Sithaadai katti irrukkum sittuOh little bird wearing a small silk skirt,
Chinna sittu unn paarvai minvettu…Little bird, your gaze is like a flash of lightning...
Female
Singaara kaigalil ennai kattuBind me with your beautiful arms,
Ennai thottu unn anbai nee kottu…Touch me and shower your love...
Female
Singaara kaigalil ennai kattuBind me with your beautiful arms,
Ennai thottu unn anbai nee kottu…Touch me and shower your love...
Female
Singaara kaigalil ennai kattu…Bind me with your beautiful arms...
Male
Idhu kaadhaal naadaga meadaiThis is a stage for the play of love,
Female :Vizhi kaattudhu aayiram jaadaiFemale: The eyes display a thousand romantic gestures,
Male
Idhu kaadhaal naadaga meadaiThis is a stage for the play of love,
Female :Vizhi kaattudhu aayiram jaadaiFemale: The eyes display a thousand romantic gestures,
Male
Indu aadalundduToday there is dance,
Female :Inba paadalundduFemale: There is a blissful song,
Male :Chinna oodalundduMale: There is a minor lover's tiff,
Female :Pinnar koodalundduFemale: Followed by a sweet union.
Male
Sithaadai katti irrukkum sittu…Oh little bird wearing a small silk skirt...
Male
Madhu undaal bodhaiyai kodukkumConsuming liquor gives intoxication,
Female :Andha mayakkam kaadhalil kidaikkumFemale: That same enchantment is found in love,
Male
Madhu undaal bodhaiyai kodukkumConsuming liquor gives intoxication,
Female :Andha mayakkam kaadhalil kidaikkumFemale: That same enchantment is found in love,
Male
Thannai thaan marakkumIt makes one forget oneself,
Female :Adhu por thudukkumFemale: It wages a playful war,
Male :Inba noai kodukkumMale: It gives a sweet affliction,
Female :Pinbu oaivedukkumFemale: And then takes a rest.
Female
Singaara kaigalil ennai kattu…Bind me with your beautiful arms...
Male
Ingu tharavaa naan oru parisuShall I give a gift here?
Female :Adhai perave thoonduthu manasuFemale: The mind is tempted to receive it,
Male
Ingu tharavaa naan oru parisuShall I give a gift here?
Female :Adhai perave thoonduthu manasuFemale: The mind is tempted to receive it,
Male
Onnu naan koduthaalIf I give you one,
Enna nee koduppaaiWhat will you give in return?
Female :Unn thean koduppeanFemale: I will give your honeyed sweetness,
Ennai naan koduppean..I will give myself to you..
Male
Sithaadai katti irrukkum sittuOh little bird wearing a small silk skirt,
Chinna sittu unn paarvai minvettuLittle bird, your gaze is like a flash of lightning,
Female
Singaara kaigalil ennai kattuBind me with your beautiful arms,
Ennai thottu unn anbai nee kottuTouch me and shower your love.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features lovers expressing their deep affection and desire for each other through poetic banter. The male protagonist compares his beloved to a vibrant little bird whose glances strike like lightning, asking her to embrace him and shower her love upon him. The lovers compare love to a theatrical stage filled with dance, song, gentle feuds, and eventual reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Chinna sittu unn paarvai minvettu…

The lover's glance is compared to a lightning strike ('paarvai minvettu'), and the woman is addressed metaphorically as a bird ('sittu').

Emona / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Indu aadalunddu / Female :Inba paadalunddu / Male :Chinna oodalunddu / Female :Pinnar koodalunddu

End rhymes using rhythmic Tamil verbal suffixes like 'aadalunddu', 'paadalunddu', 'oodalunddu', 'koodalunddu'.

Oxymoron / Metaphor

Male :Inba noai kodukkum

Love is described as an 'inba noai' (a sweet affliction or joyful disease).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Ther Thiruvizha' (1968) starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa was directed by P. Neelakantan. The soundtrack composed by M. S. Vishwanathan features vibrant, upbeat compositions tailored for the lead pair.

Keep listening

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