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Michael Madana Kama Rajan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Siva Rathiri

From Michael Madana Kama Rajan · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Michael Madana Kama Rajan
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
6 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ish..idhukellaam mudhalla moodu
Create pannanum.haan..ippo paaru..
Hmmm..mmmkummm…
Hmmm..mmmkummm…
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho…
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…ho
Pani raathiri oh…ohh…..
Pattu paai viri…
Suba raathiri oh…ohh……
Pudhu maadhiri
Vidiya vidiya
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho…
Mudhal raathiri
Veppam theera vandhadi
Veppa mara kaathu…
Ha..ho..hmm humm
Vachikka un kacheriya
Utcha kattam paathu…
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm…
Theppam pola thathalikkum
Sembaruthi naathu
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..
Ambalathil aadurappo un balatha kaattu
Hmm..hum..hmmhumm..
Raajaamani maaya moghini rojaa malar nee
Thaemaangani dheva roobini
Thaen vaangalaam nee
Suga raathiri oh..oh..ho…
Pudhu maadhiri vidiya vidiya
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu ho
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…ho
Pani raathiri oh…ho…..
Pattu paai viri
Subaraathiri oh…ho..
Pudhu maadhiri
Vidiya vidiya
Sivaraathiri
Vetti veru vaasanaiya thottu thottu paaru
Kitta vandhu katti kaama vittu vachadhaaru
Artha jaama nerathila poojaigalai yetru
Bakthanukku pakkam vandhu sorgham ondru kaattu
Noolaadaiyai pottu moodinen
Paalaadaiyai thaan
Aathaadiyo thenji pogumaa
Paarthaal yenna naan
Suba raathiri oh…oh
Pudhu maadhiri
Vidiya vidiya
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu hei
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…ho
Pani raathiri oh…ohh…..
Pattu paai viri…
Suba raathiri oh…ohh……
Pudhu maadhiri
Vidiya vidiya
Sivaraathiri thookkam yedhu hei
Mudhal raathiri thodangumbodhu…ho
Sivaraathiri….
Shh... first of all, for all this,
you have to create the mood. Ah, now watch...
Mmm... mm-hum...
Mmm... mm-hum...
On Sivarathiri (night of the sacred vigil), how can anyone sleep? Ho...
As the wedding night begins... ho!
A cool, misty night, oh... oh...
Spread out the silk mat...
An auspicious night, oh... oh...
In a brand new way,
all through till dawn!
On Sivarathiri, how can anyone sleep? Ho...
The wedding night...
To soothe the heat, it has arrived, my girl—
the breeze from the neem tree...
Ha... ho... hmm-hum...
Start your grand performance,
aiming for the highest peak...
Hmm... hum... hmm-hum...
Tossing and swaying like a raft on water,
is this tender hibiscus sapling!
Hmm... hum... hmm-hum...
When dancing out in the arena, show your strength!
Hmm... hum... hmm-hum...
My precious gem, magical enchantress, you are a blooming rose!
Sweet mango fruit, divine beauty,
you can take the sweet nectar!
A night of pure pleasure, oh... oh... ho...
In a brand new way, all through till dawn!
On Sivarathiri, how can anyone sleep? Ho...
As the wedding night begins... ho!
A cool, misty night, oh... ho...
Spread out the silk mat!
An auspicious night, oh... ho...
In a brand new way,
all through till dawn!
Sivarathiri...
Reach out and gently touch the fragrant vetiver!
Coming so close without an embrace—who left it undone?
At the hour of midnight, accept my offerings,
come close to your devotee and show me heaven!
I covered with a fine cotton garment,
this body soft as the cream of milk!
Oh goodness, will it wear away
if I merely look at it?
An auspicious night, oh... oh...
In a brand new way,
all through till dawn!
On Sivarathiri, how can anyone sleep? Hey!
As the wedding night begins... ho!
A cool, misty night, oh... oh...
Spread out the silk mat...
An auspicious night, oh... oh...
In a brand new way,
all through till dawn!
On Sivarathiri, how can anyone sleep? Hey!
As the wedding night begins... ho!
Sivarathiri...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
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Female
Female
Male
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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