Thaneer Suduvathenna
From Chithi · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Chithi1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thanneer suduvadhenna | Why does the water feel warm? |
| Thanneer suduvadhenna | Why does the water feel warm? |
| Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna | Why does it cascade like a continuous shower? |
| Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol | Like when you embrace me, woman, |
| Perinbam tharuvadhenna | Why does it grant such supreme bliss? |
| Male | |
| Thanneer suduvadhenna | Why does the water feel warm? |
| Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna | Why does it cascade like a continuous shower? |
| Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol | Like when you embrace me, woman, |
| Perinbam tharuvadhenna | Why does it grant such supreme bliss? |
| Female | |
| Pon maeni paarthadhenna | Why gaze at this golden body? |
| Poovaadai kolvadhenna | Why catch the fragrant floral breeze? |
| Pon maeni paarthadhenna | Why gaze at this golden body? |
| Poovaadai kolvadhenna | Why catch the fragrant floral breeze? |
| Thannai thaan marandhadhilae | In completely forgetting oneself, |
| Thaneerum suduvadhenna | Why does even water feel warm? |
| Female | |
| Pon maeni paarthadhenna | Why gaze at this golden body? |
| Poovaadai kolvadhenna | Why catch the fragrant floral breeze? |
| Thannai thaan marandhadhilae | In completely forgetting oneself, |
| Thaneerum suduvadhenna | Why does even water feel warm? |
| Male | |
| Angirundhu aadi vandhu | Dancing and arriving from over there, |
| Alaigal sollum saedhi enna | What news do the waves bring? |
| Angirundhu aadi vandhu | Dancing and arriving from over there, |
| Alaigal sollum saedhi enna | What news do the waves bring? |
| Velli kendai meenai polae | Like silver carp fish, |
| Thullum kangal solvadhenna | What do those playful eyes say? |
| Thullum kangal solvadhenna | What do those playful eyes say? |
| Female | |
| Sonna pinnum kelvi enna | Why ask questions even after being told? |
| Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna | Why probe and inquire repeatedly? |
| Sonna pinnum kelvi enna | Why ask questions even after being told? |
| Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna | Why probe and inquire repeatedly? |
| Munnum pinnum paarppadhenna | Why keep looking back and forth? |
| Muthaiyaa un vegam enna | Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours? |
| Muthaiyaa un vegam enna | Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Thanneer suduvadhenna | Why does the water feel warm? |
| Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna | Why does it cascade like a continuous shower? |
| Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol | Like when you embrace me, woman, |
| Perinbam tharuvadhenna | Why does it grant such supreme bliss? |
| Male | |
| Maalai veyil vannam polae | Like the shade of the setting evening sun, |
| Manjal poosum kolam enna | What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty? |
| Maalai veyil vannam polae | Like the shade of the setting evening sun, |
| Manjal poosum kolam enna | What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty? |
| Manjalodu serndhu endhan | Merging together with the turmeric, |
| Nenjam podum thaalam enna | What beat is my heart drumming? |
| Nenjam podum thaalam enna | What beat is my heart drumming? |
| Female | |
| Andhi saayum neram vandhum | Even as dusk begins to settle, |
| Minji minji povadhenna | Why does excitement keep overflowing? |
| Andha naalai kaanum munnae | Before reaching that special day, |
| Ammammaa yekkam enna | Oh my, what deep yearning is this? |
| Ammammaa yekkam yenna | Oh my, what deep yearning is this? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Thanneer suduvadhenna | Why does the water feel warm? |
| Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna | Why does it cascade like a continuous shower? |
| Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol | Like when you embrace me, woman, |
| Perinbam tharuvadhenna | Why does it grant such supreme bliss? |
தண்ணீர் சுடுவதென்ன
தண்ணீர் சுடுவதென்ன
சரஞ்சரமாய் பாய்வதென்ன
பெண்ணே நீ தழுவுதல் போல்
பேரின்பம் தருவதென்ன
Why does the water feel warm?
Why does the water feel warm?
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
தண்ணீர் சுடுவதென்ன
சரஞ்சரமாய் பாய்வதென்ன
பெண்ணே நீ தழுவுதல் போல்
பேரின்பம் தருவதென்ன
Why does the water feel warm?
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
பொன் மேனி பார்த்ததென்ன
பூவாடை கொள்வதென்ன
பொன் மேனி பார்த்ததென்ன
பூவாடை கொள்வதென்ன
தன்னைத் தான் மறந்ததிலே
தண்ணீரும் சுடுவதென்ன
Why gaze at this golden body?
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
Why gaze at this golden body?
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
In completely forgetting oneself,
Why does even water feel warm?
பொன் மேனி பார்த்ததென்ன
பூவாடை கொள்வதென்ன
தன்னைத் தான் மறந்ததிலே
தண்ணீரும் சுடுவதென்ன
Why gaze at this golden body?
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
In completely forgetting oneself,
Why does even water feel warm?
அங்கிருந்து ஆடி வந்து
அலைகள் சொல்லும் சேதி என்ன
அங்கிருந்து ஆடி வந்து
அலைகள் சொல்லும் சேதி என்ன
வெள்ளி கெண்டை மீனைப் போலே
துள்ளும் கண்கள் சொல்வதென்ன
துள்ளும் கண்கள் சொல்வதென்ன
Dancing and arriving from over there,
What news do the waves bring?
Dancing and arriving from over there,
What news do the waves bring?
Like silver carp fish,
What do those playful eyes say?
What do those playful eyes say?
சொன்ன பின்னும் கேள்வி என்ன
துருவித் துருவி கேட்பதென்ன
சொன்ன பின்னும் கேள்வி என்ன
துருவித் துருவி கேட்பதென்ன
முன்னும் பின்னும் பார்ப்பதென்ன
முத்தையா உன் வேகம் என்ன
முத்தையா உன் வேகம் என்ன
Why ask questions even after being told?
Why probe and inquire repeatedly?
Why ask questions even after being told?
Why probe and inquire repeatedly?
Why keep looking back and forth?
Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours?
Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours?
.........................................
...
தண்ணீர் சுடுவதென்ன
சரஞ்சரமாய் பாய்வதென்ன
பெண்ணே நீ தழுவுதல் போல்
பேரின்பம் தருவதென்ன
Why does the water feel warm?
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
மாலை வெயில் வண்ணம் போலே
மஞ்சள் பூசும் கோலம் என்ன
மாலை வெயில் வண்ணம் போலே
மஞ்சள் பூசும் கோலம் என்ன
மஞ்சளோடு சேர்ந்து எந்தன்
நெஞ்சம் போடும் தாளம் என்ன
நெஞ்சம் போடும் தாளம் என்ன
Like the shade of the setting evening sun,
What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty?
Like the shade of the setting evening sun,
What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty?
Merging together with the turmeric,
What beat is my heart drumming?
What beat is my heart drumming?
அந்தி சாயும் நேரம் வந்தும்
மிஞ்சி மிஞ்சி போவதென்ன
அந்த நாளைக் காணும் முன்னே
அம்மம்மா ஏக்கம் என்ன
அம்மம்மா ஏக்கம் என்ன
Even as dusk begins to settle,
Why does excitement keep overflowing?
Before reaching that special day,
Oh my, what deep yearning is this?
Oh my, what deep yearning is this?
.........................................
...
தண்ணீர் சுடுவதென்ன
சரஞ்சரமாய் பாய்வதென்ன
பெண்ணே நீ தழுவுதல் போல்
பேரின்பம் தருவதென்ன
Why does the water feel warm?
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Why does the water feel warm?
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Why does the water feel warm?
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Why does the water feel warm?
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Why gaze at this golden body?
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Why gaze at this golden body?
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
Thannai thaan marandhadhilae
In completely forgetting oneself,
Thaneerum suduvadhenna
Why does even water feel warm?
Pon maeni paarthadhenna
Why gaze at this golden body?
Poovaadai kolvadhenna
Why catch the fragrant floral breeze?
Thannai thaan marandhadhilae
In completely forgetting oneself,
Thaneerum suduvadhenna
Why does even water feel warm?
Angirundhu aadi vandhu
Dancing and arriving from over there,
Alaigal sollum saedhi enna
What news do the waves bring?
Angirundhu aadi vandhu
Dancing and arriving from over there,
Alaigal sollum saedhi enna
What news do the waves bring?
Velli kendai meenai polae
Like silver carp fish,
Thullum kangal solvadhenna
What do those playful eyes say?
Thullum kangal solvadhenna
What do those playful eyes say?
Sonna pinnum kelvi enna
Why ask questions even after being told?
Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna
Why probe and inquire repeatedly?
Sonna pinnum kelvi enna
Why ask questions even after being told?
Thuruvi thuruvi ketppadhenna
Why probe and inquire repeatedly?
Munnum pinnum paarppadhenna
Why keep looking back and forth?
Muthaiyaa un vegam enna
Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours?
Muthaiyaa un vegam enna
Oh Muthaiya, why this urgency of yours?
…………………………….
...
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Why does the water feel warm?
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
Maalai veyil vannam polae
Like the shade of the setting evening sun,
Manjal poosum kolam enna
What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty?
Maalai veyil vannam polae
Like the shade of the setting evening sun,
Manjal poosum kolam enna
What is this yellow hue of turmeric-adorned beauty?
Manjalodu serndhu endhan
Merging together with the turmeric,
Nenjam podum thaalam enna
What beat is my heart drumming?
Nenjam podum thaalam enna
What beat is my heart drumming?
Andhi saayum neram vandhum
Even as dusk begins to settle,
Minji minji povadhenna
Why does excitement keep overflowing?
Andha naalai kaanum munnae
Before reaching that special day,
Ammammaa yekkam enna
Oh my, what deep yearning is this?
Ammammaa yekkam yenna
Oh my, what deep yearning is this?
…………………………….
...
Thanneer suduvadhenna
Why does the water feel warm?
Saranjaramaai paaivadhenna
Why does it cascade like a continuous shower?
Pennae nee thazhuvudhal pol
Like when you embrace me, woman,
Perinbam tharuvadhenna
Why does it grant such supreme bliss?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
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