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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaneeril Yethadi Neruppu

From Uyir · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Salil Chowdry
Details
Uyir1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanneeril yaedhadi neruppuHow can there be fire in water?
Idhai thaangaamal yaenintha veruppuUnable to bear this, why this aversion?
Thanneeril yaedhadi neruppuHow can there be fire in water?
Idhai thaangaamal yaenintha veruppuUnable to bear this, why this aversion?
Female
Pennaaga naan konda pirappuMy birth as a woman,
Pennaaga naan konda pirappuMy birth as a woman,
Antha penmaikku naan thantha madhippuThe honor and respect I gave to that womanhood.
Male
Thangamagal maeni thanneeril thoniThe golden girl's body is a boat in the water,
Indru konjam aadattumaeLet it sway a little today.
Pattudalai theda thottu vilaiyaadaTo seek the silky body and touch to play,
Paada ondru paadattumaeLet me sing a lesson for you.
Female
Neer kalantha neeraal naam kalantha pinnaalAfter we mingle like water merging with water,
Neer kalantha neeraal naam kalantha pinnaalAfter we mingle like water merging with water,
Ingu vanthu aadattumaaShall I come here and dance?
Neeyirunthu thaniyae kaana vantha azhagaiThe beauty I came to behold with you in solitude,
Oorariya paadattumaaShall I sing it out for the whole town to know?
Male
Thanneeril yaedhadi neruppuHow can there be fire in water?
Idhai thaangaamal yaenintha veruppuUnable to bear this, why this aversion?
Female :Pennaaga naan konda pirappuMy birth as a woman,
Pennaaga naan konda pirappuMy birth as a woman,
Antha penmaikku naan thantha madhippuThe honor and respect I gave to that womanhood.
Male
Vaasamulla thendral veesi varumpothuWhen a fragrant gentle breeze blows,
Sontham enna ketkindrathuDoes it ask for kinship or status?
Vanna mayil thogai thannai viriththaadaWhen a colorful peacock spreads its feathers to dance,
Entha idam paarkkindrathuWhich venue does it look for?
Female
Unnai manam kondaHaving wedded you in her heart,
Thendral ennum pavaikkuFor the maiden who is like the gentle breeze,
Unnai manam kondaHaving wedded you in her heart,
Thendral ennum pavaikkuFor the maiden who is like the gentle breeze,
Female
Ullam ondru irukkindrathuThere is a heart that feels.
Vannamayil pola kanni ingu aadaFor this maiden to dance here like a colorful peacock,
Naalu gunam thadukkindrathuThe four feminine virtues restrain her.
Antha naalu gunam thadukkindrathuThose four traditional virtues restrain her.
Male
Thanneeril yaedhadi neruppuHow can there be fire in water?
Idhai thaangaamal yaenintha veruppuUnable to bear this, why this aversion?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thanneeril Yaedhadi Neruppu from the 1971 film Uyir is a romantic duet composed by Salil Chowdhury, penned by Kannadasan, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. The song captures a poetic dialogue between lovers near water. The male protagonist teases the heroine about the burning passion (fire in water) she feels despite her outward shyness, urging her to shed her hesitation and embrace intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron

Thanneeril yaedhadi neruppu

The opening line pairs 'Thanneer' (water) and 'Neruppu' (fire) together to symbolize passionate desire surging amidst cool surroundings.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thangamagal maeni thanneeril thoni

Compares the heroine's golden body to a floating boat on water ('thoni').

Simile (Upama)

Vannamayil pola kanni ingu aada

Directly compares the young woman dancing in abandon to a colorful peacock unfolding its plumage ('Vannamayil pola').

Cultural Allusion

Naalu gunam thadukkindrathu

References 'Naalu gunam', the four traditional virtues attributed to Tamil women: Acham (fear/modesty), Madam (innocence), Naanam (shyness), and Payirchi (reserve).

Did you know?

Trivia

Uyir (1971) was one of the rare Tamil films scored by legendary composer Salil Chowdhury. Known for introducing Western classical counterpoint and complex melodies into Indian cinema, Salil Chowdhury adapted his signature orchestrations to fit Kannadasan's traditional Tamil lyricism in this track.

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