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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sithirathu There Vaa

From Nadodi Pattukkaran · 1992

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
Mano, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nadodi Pattukkaran1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sithirathu thaerae vaaCome, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Female :Sithirathu thaerae vaaFemale: Come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Male
Aasaikku naal sollavaaShall I name the day for desire?
Aanandha thean kondu vaaBring the sweet honey of bliss.
Female :Vaanaththu oviyamaeFemale: O painting of the sky!
Megathil oorvalamaeO procession in the clouds!
Ilamai ninaivinilaeIn the memories of youth,
Male
Sithirathu thaerae vaaCome, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Female :Sithirathu thaerae vaaFemale: Come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Male
Viralodu koondhalHair plays
VilaiyaadumWith fingers,
Vilagaadha oodal thinadhorumInseparable lovers' tiffs happen daily.
Female :Alaindhodum aasaiFemale: Wandering desires
Karai thedumSearch for the shore,
Nilayaaga nenjam isai paadumSteadfastly, the heart sings music.
Male
Ilam kaadhal theevilaeOn the island of young love,
Rathidevi aaduvaalGoddess Rathi dances,
Irunthaalum noiyilaeYet in the sickness of passion,
Viragangal paaduvaalThe longing heart sings.
Female
Enai kattipottuTie me up
KoduthiduAnd hand me over,
Ini niththam muththamFrom now on, kiss every day
EduthiduAnd take it!
Ilamai ninaivinilaeIn the memories of youth,
Male
Hey sithirathu thaerae vaaHey, come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Female :Sithirathu thaerae vaaFemale: Come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Male
Hey aasaikku naal sollavaaHey, shall I name the day for desire?
Aanandha thean kondu vaaBring the sweet honey of bliss.
Female :Vaanaththu oviyamaeFemale: O painting of the sky!
Megathil oorvalamaeO procession in the clouds!
Ilamai ninaivinilaeIn the memories of youth,
Male
Sithirathu thaerae vaaCome, O picturesque chariot!
Female :Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaFemale: Come, O breeze of the Indus river!
Male
Hoi malaranbu podumHoi, flower-arrows strike
Oru neramAt a time,
Verum vambhu vaarthaiMere playful, teasing words
ThadumaarumStumble.
Female
Idam paarthu eduthuLook for the right place and take it
VilaiyaaduTo play,
Madhan potta kanakkuThe calculations made by Cupid
ThavaraadhuNever go wrong.
Male
Vilaiyaadum vennilaaThe playful full moon
Oru paadhiyaanadhaeHas become half,
Ilanjodi thediyaeSearching for its young pair,
Marupaadhi ponadhaeThe other half went away.
Female
Enai kattipottuTie me up
KoduthiduAnd hand me over,
Ini niththam muththamFrom now on, kiss every day
EduthiduAnd take it!
Ilamai ninaivinilaeIn the memories of youth,
Male
Hey hey hey hey hey heyHey hey hey hey hey hey
Hey sithirathu thaerae vaaHey, come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Female :Sithirathu thaerae vaaFemale: Come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Male
Aasaikku naal sollavaaShall I name the day for desire?
Aanandha thean kondu vaaBring the sweet honey of bliss.
Female :Vaanaththu oviyamaeFemale: O painting of the sky!
Megathil oorvalamaeO procession in the clouds!
Ilamai ninaivinilaeIn the memories of youth,
Male
Sithirathu thaerae vaaCome, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!
Female :Sithirathu thaerae vaaFemale: Come, O picturesque chariot!
Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaaCome, O breeze of the Indus river!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Sithirathu Thaerae Vaa is a romantic duet expressing the deep yearning and youthful passion between two lovers. The lyrics utilize rich poetic imagery, comparing the beloved to a beautifully sculpted chariot, a refreshing breeze from the Indus river, and a celestial painting in the sky. As the lovers express their sweet impatience, they evoke mythological figures like Manmatha (Cupid) and Rathi, highlighting the blissful intoxication of romance, playful tiffs, and deep intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Sithirathu thaerae vaa / Sindhu nadhi kaatrae vaa

Repetition of the initial 'S' sound creates a smooth, rhythmic melodic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Vaanaththu oviyamae / Megathil oorvalamae

The beloved is poetically metaphorized as a celestial sky painting and a cloud procession.

Personification

Vilaiyaadum vennilaa

Attributing the human action of playing to the moon.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Nadodi Pattukkaran (1992) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Karthik and Bhanupriya, with lyrics penned by Na. Kamarasan.

Keep listening

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