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Chithi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thaneer Suduvathenna

From Chithi · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Chithi
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
5 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Thannai thaan marandhadhilae
Thaneerum suduvadhenna
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Thannai thaan marandhadhilae
Thaneerum suduvadhenna
Angirundhu aadi vandhu
Alaigal sollum saedhi enna
Angirundhu aadi vandhu
Alaigal sollum saedhi enna
Velli kendai meenai polae
Thullum kangal solvadhenna
Thullum kangal solvadhenna
Sonna pinnum kelvi enna
Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna
Sonna pinnum kelvi enna
Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna
Munnum pinnum paarppadhenna
Muthaiyaa un vegam enna
Muthaiyaa un vegam enna
…………………………….
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Maalai veyil vannam polae
Manjal poosum kolam enna
Maalai veyil vannam polae
Manjal poosum kolam enna
Manjalodu serndhu endhan
Nenjam podum thaalam enna
Nenjam podum thaalam enna
Andhi saayum neram vandhum
Minji minji povadhenna
Andha naalai kaanum munnae
Ammammaa yekkam enna
Ammammaa yekkam yenna
…………………………….
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Why does the water feel so hot?
Why does the water feel so hot?
Why does it pour down in streams?
Like when you embrace me, girl,
why does it bring such great joy?
Why does the water feel so hot?
Why does it pour down in streams?
Like when you embrace me, girl,
why does it bring such great joy?
Why did you gaze upon my golden body?
Why did you take in my sweet floral scent?
Why did you gaze upon my golden body?
Why did you take in my sweet floral scent?
Because you lost yourself completely in me,
does even the cool water feel so hot?
Why did you gaze upon my golden body?
Why did you take in my sweet floral scent?
Because you lost yourself completely in me,
does even the cool water feel so hot?
Dancing all the way from over there,
what message do the waves bring?
Dancing all the way from over there,
what message do the waves bring?
Like shimmering silver fish,
what are your darting eyes saying?
What are your darting eyes saying?
Even after I told you, why ask again?
Why keep probing and asking?
Even after I told you, why ask again?
Why keep probing and asking?
Why keep looking all around?
Muthiah, why are you in such a rush?
Muthiah, why are you in such a rush?
...
Why does the water feel so hot?
Why does it pour down in streams?
Like when you embrace me, girl,
why does it bring such great joy?
Like the golden shade of the evening sun,
what is this charm of turmeric on your skin?
Like the golden shade of the evening sun,
what is this charm of turmeric on your skin?
Along with that yellow turmeric,
what is this rhythm beating in my heart?
What is this rhythm beating in my heart?
Even as evening begins to fall,
why does desire keep overflowing?
Before that wedding day arrives,
oh my, what a deep longing!
Oh my, what a deep longing!
...
Why does the water feel so hot?
Why does it pour down in streams?
Like when you embrace me, girl,
why does it bring such great joy?
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Thanneer Suduvadhenna is a sensual and poetic romantic duet from the 1966 Tamil film Chithi, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. Set against a backdrop of water and nature, the song conveys the passionate intimacy between two lovers. The male protagonist describes how cool flowing water feels warm to his skin because of the burning heat of love, comparing the sensation of falling water to his beloved's tender embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Velli kendai meenai polae”

Compares the quick, darting movement of the lover's eyes to silver carp fish jumping in water.

Simile (Upamai)

“Maalai veyil vannam polae”

Compares the warm golden glow of turmeric on her skin to the color of the setting evening sun.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Thanneer suduvadhenna”

Uses repeated questions about heat, water, and longing to express intense romantic emotions rather than seek answers.

Anaphora / Repetition (Pinvaru Nilaiyani)

“Thanneer suduvadhenna ... Perinbam tharuvadhenna”

The repetition of 'suduvaadhenna' and 'solvadhenna' creates a rhythmic cadence emphasizing emotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song was composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan – T. K. Ramamoorthy era (credited under MSV) for the film Chithi (1966), starring M. R. Radha, Padmini, and Geminii Ganesan. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, Kannadasan's evocative water metaphors remain one of the finest examples of romantic imagery in 1960s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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