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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalaattum Kaatre

From Poovellam Un Vasam · 2001

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Shankar Mahadevan
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Poovellam Un Vasam2001

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………....
Male
Thalaatum kaatrae vaaO lullaby breeze, come
Thalaikodhum viralae vaaO finger stroking my hair, come
Tholai dhoora nilavae vaaO distant moon, come
Thoda vendum vaanae vaaO sky I wish to touch, come
Male
Un chinna idhazh mutham thinaamalWithout tasting the kiss from your small lips
En jenmam veenendru povenoWill my life go to waste?
Un vanna thiru meni seraamalWithout uniting with your colorful divine body
En vayathu paalendru aavenoWill my youth be ruined?
Un azhagu rajaangam aalaamalWithout ruling your kingdom of beauty
En aavi sirithagi povenoWill my soul diminish?
Male
{ Ennuyire neethaano } (2)Are you my soul's life? (2)
Male
Thalaatum kaatrae vaaO lullaby breeze, come
Thalaikodhum viralae vaaO finger stroking my hair, come
Tholai dhoora nilavae vaaO distant moon, come
Thoda vendum vaanae vaaO sky I wish to touch, come
Male
Kannukul kan vaithuGazing deep into your eyes
Kan imaiyaal kan thadaviCaressing your eyes with eyelashes
Chinnathoru singaramWithout indulging in a little romantic delight
Seiyaamal povenoWill I pass away?
Male
Pechilantha velaiyilaeIn those moments beyond words
Pen azhagu en maarbilWhen feminine beauty rests on my chest
Muchu vidum rasanaiyaiThe bliss of breathing softly
Mugaraamal povenoWill I pass away without savoring?
Male
Un kattu koondhal kaatilInto the dense forest of your hair
Nulaiyaamal povenoWill I leave without entering?
Athil kalla thaenai konjamA bit of sweet honey from it
Varugamal povenoWill I leave without drinking?
Male
{ Nee paadhi thookathil pulambuvathaiAs you murmur in half-sleep
Oli padhivu naan seiya maateno } (2)Will I not audio record it? (2)
Nee oodal kondaadum pozhuthugalilDuring moments when you playfully sulk
Athai unaku oli parapa maatenoWill I not play that recording back to you?
Ennuyire neethaanoAre you my soul's life?
Ennuyire- aeae neethaanoMy soul's life... are you the one?
Male
Thalaatum kaatrae vaaO lullaby breeze, come
Thalaikodhum viralae vaaO finger stroking my hair, come
Male
Oru naal oru pozhudhuOne day, one single moment
Un madiyil naan irunthuResting in your lap
Thirunaal kaanamalWithout witnessing a festive day of joy
Setholindhu povenoWill I fade away and die?
Male
Thalai ellam pookal poothuClimbing a swaying tree blooming with flowers all over
Thallaadum marameriOn every single leaf, your name
Ilai ellaam un peraiWill I leave without writing?
Eluthaamal povenoWill I leave without writing?
Male
Un paadham vaangi nenjilReceiving your feet on my chest
Padhiyaamal povenoWill I leave without imprinting them?
Un kanneer echil rusiyaiThe taste of your tears and lips
Ariyaamal povenoWill I leave without knowing?
Male
{ Un udalai uyir vittu ponaalumEven if life leaves your body
En uyirai unnodu paaicheno } (2)Will I not infuse my soul into yours? (2)
Un angam engengum uyiraagiBecoming life in every part of your body
Nee vaazhum varai naanum vaazhvenoI shall live as long as you live
{ En urimai neethaano } (2)Are you my rightful beloved? (2)
Male
Thalaatum kaatrae vaaO lullaby breeze, come
Thalaikodhum viralae vaaO finger stroking my hair, come
Tholai dhoora nilavae vaaO distant moon, come
Thoda vendum vaanae vaaO sky I wish to touch, come
Male
Un chinna idhazh mutham thinaamalWithout tasting the kiss from your small lips
En jenmam veenendru povenoWill my life go to waste?
Un vanna thiru meni seraamalWithout uniting with your colorful divine body
En vayathu paalendra aavenoWill my youth be ruined?
Un azhagu rajaangam aalaamalWithout ruling your kingdom of beauty
En aavi sirithagi povenoWill my soul diminish?
Male
{ Ennuyire neethaano } (2)Are you my soul's life? (2)
Neethaano ………..Are you the one?...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thalaatum Kaatrae Vaa is a soulful, romantic masterpiece from the 2001 Tamil film Poovellam Un Vasam, composed by Vidyasagar and penned by lyricist Vairamuthu. The song captures the intense depth of romantic yearning, where the protagonist addresses his beloved through poetic metaphors of nature—comparing her to a caressing lullaby breeze, a soft finger stroking hair, and a distant moon.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thalaatum kaatrae vaa / Tholai dhoora nilavae vaa

The lover personifies his beloved as various gentle and distant elements of nature such as 'Thalaatum kaatrae' (lullaby breeze) and 'Tholai dhoora nilavae' (distant moon).

Monai & Ethukai (Alliteration & Rhyme)

Thalaatum kaatrae vaa / Thalaikodhum viralae vaa

Consonance in initial syllables ('Thalaatum' / 'Thalaikodhum') and second letter rhyming ('la' sound) create melodic rhythm.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Ilai ellaam un perai eluthaamal poveno

Exaggerating devotion by expressing a wish to climb a blooming tree and write the beloved's name on every leaf.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar and sung by P. Unnikrishnan, this song remains one of the most celebrated melodies from the film Poovellam Un Vasam starring Ajith Kumar and Jyothika.

Keep listening

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