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Villu Pattukaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thandhen Thandhen

From Villu Pattukaran · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Villu Pattukaran
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
8 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thendral vandhu uh ..illiyae
Vandhu ottudhae
Andha thaeradiyil uh
Idhu paravaa illa
Chinna kanni penna
Aiyaiyo penna ottudhae
Sari illaiyae thalli nillu
Anji anji kenji kenji uh
Senji senji inji inji
Inji inji inji inji
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adi
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adi
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththil
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyae
Ingae dhaan kettukkadi
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyae
Enkittae yeththukkadi
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adi
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththil
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….
Ezhaighal kaadhugalil
Sendhaen alli serkkura kalainjanadi
Thennaatula irukkira idhayangalai
Sangeedhaththil eerkkira ilainjanadi
Naattula kettukkadi isaiyil ingu
Naan senja saadhanaidhaan
Naakkula irukkuthadi
Eduththu thara
Aayiram keerththanai dhaan
Alai adikka adhai thadukka
Anai edukka ninaiththadhenna
Thallu etti nillu
Ella thaandura seendura
Yendi nee azhakkura
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adi
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththil
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyae
Ingae dhaan kettukkadi..hae ..hei
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyae
Enkittae yeththukkadi hey hey
Nee ingu kettadhillae
Annaalilae kindhanin sariththiraththai
Thindaadiya naattukku isaiyinilae
Thandhaan adi NSK thaan karuththai
Dhesathai thiruththida thaan
Kalaigal endru therindhadhu sedhiyadi
Naan andha kalainjanaiyae
Ninaiththu ingu nadakkira jaathiyadi
Enai adakka sirai edukka
Siraghaditha ilaiya kili
Ingu edhir nindru
Indha kaalaiyai kaangaiyil
Kaal kaigal nadungudhu
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adi
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththil
Thandhen thandhen isai
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyae
Ingae dhaan kettukkadi..ee eei
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyae
Enkittae yeththukkadi he hee hee
The breeze came... uh, no...
It comes and clings close...
Near that chariot base, uh...
This is not bad...
Is it a young girl?
Oh no, a girl is clinging close?
This isn't right, stand back!
Trembling in fear, begging and pleading, uh...
Doing and making, rhyming with rhythm...
Inji inji inji inji...
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, girl!
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, girl!
With the wisdom sought through the ages,
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, hey girl...
These joyful melodies, my parrot,
Listen to them right here, girl!
These dance moves never seen before, my parrot,
Come learn them from me!
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, girl!
With the wisdom sought through the ages,
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, hey girl...
Into the ears of the poor,
I am the artist who pours sweet honey, girl!
The hearts across the southern land,
I am the young man who wins them over through music, girl!
Just ask around the land about the feats
that I have accomplished in music here!
Resting right upon my tongue, girl,
ready to be sung,
are a thousand musical songs!
When the waves strike, to hold them back,
why did you ever think of building a dam?
Step aside, keep your distance!
You cross the line and provoke me,
why do you put on such airs, girl?
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, girl!
With the wisdom sought through the ages,
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, hey girl...
These joyful melodies, my parrot,
Listen to them right here... hey, hey!
These dance moves never seen before, my parrot,
Come learn them from me, hey hey!
Haven't you ever heard
the story of Kindan (famed folk ballad) from back in those days?
To a nation in distress, through his music,
it was NSK who gave meaningful thoughts, girl!
Arts exist solely to reform the nation—
that is the truth, girl!
Following that very artist,
I am one who walks his path, girl!
To tame me and capture me,
the little parrot flapped her wings,
Standing face to face right here,
when she sees this strong young bull,
her hands and feet tremble!
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, girl!
With the wisdom sought through the ages,
I gave, I gave music,
I gave sweet honey, hey girl...
These joyful melodies, my parrot,
Listen to them right here... hey hey!
These dance moves never seen before, my parrot,
Come learn them from me, hey hee hee!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Villu Pattukaran' (1992) showcases a playful banter and a proud declaration of musical heritage between the lead characters. The singer proudly proclaims his musical prowess, comparing his compositions to sweet honey created to uplift the hearts of ordinary people and the poor. He invokes the legacy of historic Tamil reformist performers like N. S. Krishnan (NSK) and the traditional art form of Villu Paattu, asserting that art serves to reform society and bring joy. Interspersed with energetic rhythmic banter, comedic wordplay ('inji inji'), and romantic teasing, the song captures the essence of rural Tamil musical theater. The singer boasts of his endless repository of songs while playfully chiding the maiden who tries to challenge or approach him, establishing his dominance in both art and spirit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Reduplication / Repetition)

Anji anji kenji kenji uh

Repeated words used consecutively for emphasis and rhythmic momentum, such as 'Anji anji kenji kenji', 'Senji senji', and 'Thandhen thandhen'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Sendhaen thandhen adi

'Sendhaen' (pure red honey) is used as a metaphor for sweet musical notes poured into the ears of the audience.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thandhen thandhen isai / Sendhaen thandhen adi

Rhyming of the second letter 'ndhe' across lines ('Thandhen' and 'Sendhaen').

Alliteration / Wordplay

Senji senji inji inji

Rhythmic play on the word 'inji' (ginger) matching 'senji' for humorous folk sound effects.

Keep listening

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