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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Siva Rathiri

From Michael Madana Kama Rajan · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Michael Madana Kama Rajan1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ish..idhukellaam mudhalla mooduShh... first of all, for all this, a mood...
Create pannanum.haan..ippo paaru.....needs to be created. Yes... now look...
Female
Hmmm..mmmkummm…Hmmm..mmmkummm…
Hmmm..mmmkummm…Hmmm..mmmkummm…
Female
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho…Where is sleep on a Shivaratri night, ho...
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…hoWhen the first nuptial night begins... ho
Pani raathiri oh…ohh…..On a chilly, dewy night, oh... ohh.....
Pattu paai viri…Spread out the silk mat...
Suba raathiri oh…ohh……An auspicious night, oh... ohh......
Pudhu maadhiriIn a whole new fashion
Vidiya vidiyaUntil the break of dawn
Female
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho…Where is sleep on a Shivaratri night, ho...
Mudhal raathiriOn the first night
Male
Veppam theera vandhadiThe neem tree's breeze came
Veppa mara kaathu…To relieve the rising heat...
Ha..ho..hmm hummHa..ho..hmm humm
Vachikka un kacheriyaConduct your musical performance
Utcha kattam paathu…Aiming for the ultimate climax...
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm…Hmm..hum..hmmhumm…
Female
Theppam pola thathalikkumFloating and wavering like a raft
Sembaruthi naathuIs this tender hibiscus sprout
Male
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..
Female
Ambalathil aadurappo un balatha kaattuShow your true strength when dancing in the open court
Male
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..
Raajaamani maaya moghini rojaa malar neeYou are a precious gem, a magical enchantress, a rose flower
Female
Thaemaangani dheva roobiniA sweet mango-like form of divine beauty
Thaen vaangalaam neeYou can partake of the honey
Male
Suga raathiri oh..oh..ho…A night of pure pleasure, oh..oh..ho…
Pudhu maadhiri vidiya vidiyaIn a novel way, until dawn breaks
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu hoWhere is sleep on a Shivaratri night, ho
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…hoWhen the first night begins... ho
Male
Pani raathiri oh…ho…..On a chilly, dewy night, oh... ho.....
Pattu paai viriSpread out the silk mat
Subaraathiri oh…ho..An auspicious night, oh... ho..
Pudhu maadhiriIn a whole new fashion
Vidiya vidiyaUntil the break of dawn
Female
SivaraathiriShivaratri
Female
Vetti veru vaasanaiya thottu thottu paaruTouch and feel the scent of vetiver roots
Kitta vandhu katti kaama vittu vachadhaaruWho left you without holding you close and embracing passion?
Male
Artha jaama nerathila poojaigalai yetruAccept these offerings at the midnight hour
Bakthanukku pakkam vandhu sorgham ondru kaattuCome beside your devotee and show a glimpse of heaven
Female
Noolaadaiyai pottu moodinenI covered it using a cotton garment
Paalaadaiyai thaanThis tender layer of cream
Male
Aathaadiyo thenji pogumaaOh goodness, will it wear off
Paarthaal yenna naanIf I merely look at it?
Female
Suba raathiri oh…ohAn auspicious night, oh... oh
Pudhu maadhiriIn a whole new fashion
Vidiya vidiyaUntil the break of dawn
Male
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu heiWhere is sleep on a Shivaratri night, hey
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…hoWhen the first night begins... ho
Female
Pani raathiri oh…ohh…..On a chilly, dewy night, oh... ohh.....
Pattu paai viri…Spread out the silk mat...
Suba raathiri oh…ohh……An auspicious night, oh... ohh......
Pudhu maadhiriIn a whole new fashion
Vidiya vidiyaUntil the break of dawn
Male
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu heiWhere is sleep on a Shivaratri night, hey
Female
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…hoWhen the first night begins... ho
Male
Sivaraathiri….Shivaratri….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Sivaraathiri Thookkam Yedhu' is a celebrated romantic duet set against the backdrop of a couple's first night together. Vaali brilliantly uses sacred imagery—such as Shivaratri (the night-long vigil dedicated to Lord Shiva), midnight pujas, and devotees seeking heaven—as allegories for the sleepless, passionate night of newly wedded love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho…

Equating the night of romantic intimacy to Shivaratri, a night traditionally spent awake in prayer.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pani raathiri oh… / Pattu paai viri…

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds like 'Pani' and 'Pattu', or 'Suba' and 'Pudhu'.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Veppam theera vandhadi / Veppa mara kaathu…

Matching second letter rhyming scheme ('pp') across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Swarnalatha for the iconic 1991 comedy film 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan', this song features Kamal Haasan and Rupini. The song is famed for its playful spoken intro ('Create pannanum...') and sensual yet classically structured melody set to Panthuvarali/Puriya Dhanashree raga elements.

Keep listening

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