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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thakita Thadhimi

From Salangai Oli · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Details
Salangai Oli1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Thakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaaThakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaa (Rhythmic dance beat)
Idhaya oliyin jadhiyil enadhu thillaanaa} (2)My Thillana unfolds to the rhythm of my heartbeats.
{Irudhayam adikkadi eranthadhu enbenaaShall I say my heart died repeatedly?
En kadhai ezhudhida marukkudhu enbenaa} (2)Shall I say it refuses to write my life story?
Surudhiyum layamum ondru seraAs pitch and rhythm unite together,
Male
{Thakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaaThakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaa
Idhaya oliyin jadhiyil enadhu thillaanaa} (2)My Thillana unfolds to the rhythm of my heartbeats.
Male
{Ulaga vaazhkkai nadanam nee oppukkonda payanamWorldly life is a dance, a journey you agreed to undertake.
Adhu mudiyumpodhu thodangum nee thodangumpodhu mudiyum} (2)It begins when it ends, and it ends when you begin.
Manidhan dhinamum alaiyil alaiyum kumuliMan is a water bubble tossed daily upon the waves.
Theriyum therindhum manamae kalangaadhiru neeKnowing this truth, oh mind, do not be distressed.
Manidhan dhinamum alaiyil alaiyum kumuliMan is a water bubble tossed daily upon the waves.
Theriyum therindhum manamae lala lalaKnowing this truth, oh mind... lala lala.
Thaalamingu thappavillai yaar meedhum thappu illaiThe rhythm here has not failed, nor is anyone at fault.
Kaalgal pona paadhai endhan ellaiThe path my feet trod upon is my destination's bound.
Male
Thakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaaThakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaa
Idhaya oliyin jadhiyil enadhu thillaanaaMy Thillana unfolds to the rhythm of my heartbeats.
Irudhayam adikkadi eranthadhu..tharigidathom tharigidathom tharigidathomThe heart died repeatedly... tharigidathom tharigidathom tharigidathom
En kadhai ezhudhida marukkudhu aaa..aaa.aaaIt refuses to write my story... ah... ah... ah...
Thakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaaThakita thadhimi thakita thadhimi thamdhaanaa
Idhaya oliyin jadhiyil enadhu thillaanaaMy Thillana unfolds to the rhythm of my heartbeats.
Male
{Pazhaiya ragham marandhu nee parandhadhenna pirindhuForgetting the old raga, why did you fly away and part?
Iravudhorum azhudhu en irandu kannum pazhudhu} (2)Weeping every night, both my eyes are ruined.
Idhu oru ragasiya naadagamae.. ae ..aeeThis is a secret drama...
Alaigalil kulungidum oadam naanaeI am a small boat swaying amid the ocean waves.
Idhu oru ragasiya naadagamae.. ae ..aeeThis is a secret drama...
Alaigalil kulungidum oadam naanaeI am a small boat swaying amid the ocean waves.
Paavamingu paavamillai vaazhkkaiyodu kobamillaiSin is not a sin here, nor do I hold anger against life.
Kaadhal ennai kaadhalikka villaiLove simply did not love me back.
Male
aahhha..aaahhh.aaaahhh.aaahhh…Ah... ah... ah... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thakita Thadhimi from Salangai Oli (1983) is a profound musical composition that blends classical Indian dance rhythms (solkattu) with deep existential philosophy. The protagonist frames his life's struggles, loneliness, and heartbreak as a classical dance performance (Thillana) set to the beating of his fragile heart. Rather than succumbing to despair, he views human life as a fleeting bubble on ocean waves and an unpredictable journey where joy and sorrow overlap continuously. In the end, he accepts his tragedy with graceful stoicism, stating that he bears no grudge against life or destiny, but simply recognizes that love chose not to return his affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamm (Metaphor)

Manidhan dhinamum alaiyil alaiyum kumuli / Alaigalil kulungidum oadam naanaewave bubble / boat in waves metaphor for helpless human existence in fate's ocean.

Personification

Kaadhal ennai kaadhalikka villai

Moni / Alliteration (Ethukai/Emona)

Pazhaiya ragham marandhu nee parandhadhenna pirindhu

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Thaalamingu thappavillai yaar meedhum thappu illai

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Trivia

Salangai Oli is the Tamil dubbed version of the legendary 1983 Telugu musical film Sagara Sangamam directed by K. Viswanath. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song features Kamal Haasan performing classical dance on top of a well near a water body, a scene widely considered one of the iconic dance highlights of Indian cinema history.

Keep listening

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