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Mohana Punnagai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thalaivi Thalaivi

From Mohana Punnagai · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Mohana Punnagai
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
9 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………..
Thalaivi thalaivi
Ennai neeraattum anantha aruvi
Thalaivi thalaivi
Ennai neeraattum anantha aruvi
Thalaivan thalaivan
Ennai thaalaattum mellisai kalaingan
Thalaivan thalaivan
Ennai thaalaattum mellisai kalaingan
Thalaivi thalaivi
Ennai neeraattum anantha aruvi
……………..
Virasam edhuvumindri sarasam payilum
Intha vedikkai needikkumo
Virasam edhuvumindri sarasam payilum
Intha vedikkai needikkumo
Villakkam edharkku innum
Nerukkam valarntha pinnum yaenintha santhegamo
Villakkam edharkku innum
Nerukkam valarntha pinnum yaenintha santhegamo
Idhu pennodu undaanathu
Male :Adhu koodaathu pollaathathu
Thalaivan thalaivan
Ennai thaalaattum mellisai kalaingan
……………..
Radhiyum madhanum thendral radhaththil ulavi
Vanthu poovaara pottaarammaa
Radhiyum madhanum thendral radhaththil ulavi
Vanthu poovaara pottaarammaa
Rasanai miguntha
Intha rasigan irukka kandu
Yaarendru kettaaraiyyaa
Rasanai miguntha
Intha rasigan irukka kandu
Yaarendru kettaaraiyyaa
Adhu naanendru yaar sonnathu
Female :Adhai naanandri yaar solvathu
Thalaivi thalaivi
Ennai neeraattum anantha aruvi
Female :Thalaivan thalaivan
Ennai thaalaattum mellisai kalaingan
……………..
...
My leader, my queen,
The blissful waterfall that bathes me,
My leader, my queen,
The blissful waterfall that bathes me,
My leader, my king,
The soft-music artist who lulls me to sleep,
My leader, my king,
The soft-music artist who lulls me to sleep,
My leader, my queen,
The blissful waterfall that bathes me,
...
Practicing romance without any vulgarity,
Will this playful spectacle endure?
Practicing romance without any vulgarity,
Will this playful spectacle endure?
Why an explanation anymore?
Even after closeness has grown, why this doubt?
Why an explanation anymore?
Even after closeness has grown, why this doubt?
This was born along with womanhood,
Male: That shouldn't be, it is a bad thing!
My leader, my king,
The soft-music artist who lulls me to sleep,
...
Rati and Madhan, strolling in the chariot of breeze,
Came and showered us with a garland of flowers,
Rati and Madhan, strolling in the chariot of breeze,
Came and showered us with a garland of flowers,
A person with great appreciation,
Seeing this admirer present,
They asked who it was!
A person with great appreciation,
Seeing this admirer present,
They asked who it was!
Who said that it was me?
Female: Who else but I would say that?
My leader, my queen,
The blissful waterfall that bathes me,
Female: My leader, my king,
The soft-music artist who lulls me to sleep,
...
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Chorus
Female
Male
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet from the movie Mohana Punnagai (1981) expresses the deep affection, mutual admiration, and playful dialogue between two lovers. The male protagonist compares his beloved lady to a cascading waterfall of joy, while the female protagonist praises him as a sweet musician who lulls her soul. Their conversation touches upon the purity of their affection—free from vulgarity—and playfully explores innocent doubts, feminine shyness, and sweet reassurances. Poetically referencing Rathi and Manmatha (the divine deities of love) arriving on a breeze-chariot to bless their bond, lyricist Vaali and composer M. S. Viswanathan craft an elegant portrait of timeless romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Virasam edhuvumindri sarasam payilum”

The second letters 'ra' in 'Virasam' and 'sarasam' match, creating a rhythmic harmony in the opening line of the stanza.

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

“Ennai neeraattum anantha aruvi”

'Anantha aruvi' (Waterfall of joy) metaphorically equates the lady's presence and bliss to a cascading waterfall refreshing the lover.

Metaphor / Characterization

“Ennai thaalaattum mellisai kalaingan”

'Mellisai kalaingan' compares the lover to a soft-music artist who lovingly comforts and lulls the heroine.

Mythological Allusion & Imagery

“Radhiyum madhanum thendral radhaththil ulavi”

Refers to Rathi and Madhana (Manmatha), the Hindu deities of love and desire, riding a chariot made of gentle breeze ('thendral radham') to shower floral blessings.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features the iconic music composition of M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali, sung brilliantly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam. The film 'Mohana Punnagai' (1981) starred Sivaji Ganesan, Jayabharathi, and Geetha, and is noted for its melody-rich soundtrack.

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