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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalaattum Poongatru

From Gopura Vasalile · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gopura Vasalile1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ah aaa…aaa…aaa…aaah Ah aah aah aah aah aah aaaahAm I not the lulling gentle breeze? Listen and appreciate it, oh King!
Female
Thaalaattum poongaattru Naanallavaa Neekettu paaraattu oh mannavaa Varuvaayo vaaraayo Oh nenjamae oh nenjamae En nenjamae un thanjamae Thaalaattum poongaattru naanallavaa Neekettu paaraattu oh mannavaaWill you come or not, oh heart? My heart is your refuge!
Female
Nalliravil naan kanvizhikka Un ninaivil en mei silirikka Panjanaiyil nee mul virithaai Penn manadhai nee yen parithaaiWhen I wake up in the middle of the night, my body thrills with goosebumps at your thought.
Female
Yekkam theeyaaga yedho noiyaaga Kaanum kolangal yaavum neeyaaga Vaasalil mannaa un thaer vara Aadudhu poondhoranamYou spread thorns on my soft bed; why did you steal a woman's heart?
Female
Thaalaattum poongaattru Naanallavaa Neekettu paaraattu oh mannavaaLonging turns to fire and a mystery illness, and every vision I see becomes you, while flower garlands sway at the door for your chariot to arrive.
Male
Eppozhudhum un soppanangal Muppozhudhum un karpanaigal Sindhanaiyil nam sangamangal Onrirandaa yen sanjalangalYour dreams are always present, filling my imagination through all three periods of the day.
Male
Kaalai naan paadum kaadhal boopaalam Kaadhil ketkaadho kannaa ennaalum Aasaiyil naal dhorum naan thozhum Aalayam neeyallavaaOur souls unite in my thoughts; are my restless anxieties just one or two?
Female
Thaalaattum poongaattru Naanallavaa Neekettu paaraattu oh mannavaa Varuvaayo vaaraayo Oh nenjamae oh nenjamae En nenjamae un thanjamae Thaalaattum poongaattru naanallavaa Neekettu paaraattu oh mannavaaWill you not hear the morning love raga I sing every day, my beloved? Are you not the temple I worship daily with desire?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaalaattum Poongaattru is a soulful romantic track expressing a heroine's deep yearning and agony in separation from her beloved. She describes her sleepless nights, where every thought of her lover brings both sweet thrills and painful longing, likening her soft bed to a bed of thorns. The song captures her unconditional devotion as she views her lover as a deity and her heart as his ultimate refuge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Eppozhudhum un soppanangal / Muppozhudhum un karpanaigal

The second letter harmony occurs with 'ppo' in 'Eppozhudhum' and 'Muppozhudhum'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Yekkam theeyaaga yedho noiyaaga / Kaanum kolangal yaavum neeyaaga

The words at the end of the clauses rhyme with the suffix '-aaga'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aasaiyil naal dhorum naan thozhum Aalayam neeyallavaa

The singer metaphorically equates her beloved to a sacred temple ('Aalayam') that she worships daily.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gopura Vasalile (1991) marked the Tamil directorial debut of acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker Priyadarshan. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, and this song features a revered vocal rendition by legendary singer S. Janaki.

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