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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thandhen Thandhen

From Villu Pattukaran · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Villu Pattukaran1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thendral vandhu uh ..illiyaeThe breeze came... oh no
Vandhu ottudhaeIt comes and sticks to me
Andha thaeradiyil uhNear that temple car site...
Idhu paravaa illaThis is fine/acceptable
Chinna kanni pennaA young maiden girl
Aiyaiyo penna ottudhaeOh dear, the girl sticks close
Sari illaiyae thalli nilluThis isn't right, stand away!
Anji anji kenji kenji uhFearing and begging...
Senji senji inji injiMade and made, ginger ginger...
Inji inji inji injiGinger, ginger, ginger, ginger...
Male
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiI gave pure honey, my girl
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiI gave pure honey, my girl
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththilWith the wisdom sought across ages
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….I gave pure honey, my girl...
Male
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyaeListen to joyful ragas, my parrot
Ingae dhaan kettukkadiListen right here
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyaeDances never danced before, my parrot
Enkittae yeththukkadiAccept them from me
Male
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiI gave pure honey, my girl
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththilWith the wisdom sought across ages
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….I gave pure honey, my girl...
Male
Ezhaighal kaadhugalilIn the ears of the poor
Sendhaen alli serkkura kalainjanadiI am the artist who gathers and pours pure honey
Thennaatula irukkira idhayangalaiThe hearts residing in the southern land
Sangeedhaththil eerkkira ilainjanadiI am the youth who attracts them with music
Male
Naattula kettukkadi isaiyil inguListen across the country to
Naan senja saadhanaidhaanMy achievements made here in music
Naakkula irukkuthadiIt is ready on the tip of my tongue
Eduththu tharaTo offer and present
Aayiram keerththanai dhaanA thousand musical compositions
Male
Alai adikka adhai thadukkaWhen waves crash, to block them
Anai edukka ninaiththadhennaWhy think of building a dam?
Thallu etti nilluMove away and stand at a distance
Ella thaandura seenduraYou cross limits and tease me
Yendi nee azhakkuraWhy are you calling out like this?
Male
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiI gave pure honey, my girl
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththilWith the wisdom sought across ages
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….I gave pure honey, my girl...
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyaeListen to joyful ragas, my parrot
Ingae dhaan kettukkadi..hae ..heiListen right here...
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyaeDances never danced before, my parrot
Enkittae yeththukkadi hey heyAccept them from me...
Male
Nee ingu kettadhillaeHave you not heard here
Annaalilae kindhanin sariththiraththaiThe history of Kindhan in those days?
Thindaadiya naattukku isaiyinilaeTo the nation that struggled, through music
Thandhaan adi NSK thaan karuththaiNSK gave insightful thoughts, my girl
Male
Dhesathai thiruththida thaanTo reform the nation
Kalaigal endru therindhadhu sedhiyadiIt became known that arts exist for that purpose
Naan andha kalainjanaiyaeI am of that tradition
Ninaiththu ingu nadakkira jaathiyadiWho walks here remembering that great artist
Male
Enai adakka sirai edukkaTo subdue me, to imprison me
Siraghaditha ilaiya kiliA young parrot fluttering its wings
Ingu edhir nindruStanding opposite me here
Indha kaalaiyai kaangaiyilWhen seeing this bull-like man
Kaal kaigal nadungudhuHer hands and legs tremble
Male
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiI gave pure honey, my girl
Kaala kaalangal thediya gnyaanaththilWith the wisdom sought across ages
Thandhen thandhen isaiI gave and gave music
Sendhaen thandhen adiyae…ae….I gave pure honey, my girl...
Aanandha raagangalai kiliyaeListen to joyful ragas, my parrot
Ingae dhaan kettukkadi..ee eeiListen right here...
Aadaadha aattangal dhaan kiliyaeDances never danced before, my parrot
Enkittae yeththukkadi he hee heeAccept them from me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, 'Villu Pattukaran' (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The song references N. S. Krishnan (NSK), the legendary 'Kalaivanar' of Tamil cinema, known for using music and Villu Paattu folk performances for social reform and moral education.

Keep listening

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