Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Kudame Thalladu

From Oru Iravu Oru Paravai · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Iravu Oru Paravai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………...
Male
Thanga kudamae…yae….thallaadu thallaaduO golden pot, sway and sway
Munnaalum pinnaalumBack and forth
Thaamarai mottu en kannula pattuThe lotus bud caught my eye
Kattuthu kattu vettuthu vettuIt binds me, it cuts through me
Male
Thanga kudamae…yae….thallaadu thallaaduO golden pot, sway and sway
Munnaalum pinnaalumBack and forth
Male
Adi koththamalli vaasam konjamHey girl, a little fragrance of coriander
Kodukka koodaathaa edukka koodaathaaCan't you give it, can't I take it?
Female
Laalaa lallaa laalaa lallaa laaLaalaa lallaa laalaa lallaa laa
Male
Adi koththamalli vaasam konjamHey girl, a little fragrance of coriander
Kodukka koodaathaa edukka koodaathaaCan't you give it, can't I take it?
Male
Kodai mazhaiyae vaadai paniyaeO summer rain, O chilly winter dew
Koyil katti unnai vachchi kumbida poraenI will build a temple, place you inside, and worship you
Koththum kannai vittu ennaiLeaving aside those sharp, pecking eyes
Mella mella konju kannaeFondle me gently, my dear
Male
Thanga kudamae…yae….thallaadu thallaaduO golden pot, sway and sway
Munnaalum pinnaalumBack and forth
Female
………………...
Male
Adi aalai kattum selai kattuHey girl, wear the saree that captivates people
Female :Laalaa lallaa laalaa lallaa laaLaalaa lallaa laalaa lallaa laa
Male
Adi aalai kattum selai kattuHey girl, wear the saree that captivates people
Alunga kandaendi kulunga kandendiI saw you swaying, I saw you shaking gracefully
Annakkodiyae vannakkiliyaeO swan-like vine, O colorful parrot
Angam engum arakku manjal poguthadiyoIs the red turmeric paste washing away all over your body?
Male
Chinna kondai velli thandaiWith a small hair bun and silver anklet
Thulla thulla vaadi kannaeCome leap and bounce with joy, my dear
Female
………………...
Male
Adi vaazhaithandu kaiyai vittuUsing your arms soft as banana stems
Valaikkakoodaathaa anaikka koodaathaaCan't you bend them around me and embrace me?
Adi vaazhaithandu kaiyai vittuUsing your arms soft as banana stems
Valaikkakoodaathaa anaikka koodaathaaCan't you bend them around me and embrace me?
Male
Poovae poovaayi adi ponnae ponnaayiO flower of flowers, O gold of golds
Kaaval illae kanakku vachchenThere is no guard, I have taken count
Kannae kannaayiO my dear eyes
Male
Manjal undu pottum unduThere is turmeric, there is the vermilion spot
Thaali undu vaadi kannaeThere is the sacred mangalsutra, come my dear
Male
Thanga kudamae…O golden pot...
Female :Yae….yae….yae….yae….Yae... yae... yae... yae...
Male :Thallaadu thallaaduSway and sway
Munnaalum pinnaalumBack and forth
Female :Yae….yae….yae….yae….Yae... yae... yae... yae...
Male
Thaamarai mottu en kannula pattuThe lotus bud caught my eye
Kattuthu kattu vettuthu vettuIt binds me, it cuts through me
Female :Yae….yae….yae….yae….yae….yae….yae….yae….Yae... yae... yae... yae... yae... yae... yae... yae...
Male
Thanga kudamae…O golden pot...
Female :Yae….yae….yae….yae….Yae... yae... yae... yae...
Male :Thallaadu thallaaduSway and sway
Munnaalum pinnaalumBack and forth
Female :Yae….yae….yae….yae….Yae... yae... yae... yae...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song features a lover praising the beauty, graceful gait, and charm of his beloved. He compares her movement to a golden pot swaying to and fro, and her body to lotus buds and soft banana stems. Throughout the song, he expresses a passionate desire to embrace her and promises to place her on a pedestal, even offering a lifelong commitment represented by traditional symbols of marriage like turmeric, pottu, and the sacred thaali.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Thanga kudamae…yae….thallaadu thallaadu

Addressing the beloved as 'Thanga kudamae' (golden pot) and 'Vaazhaithandu kai' (banana-stem arms) compares her physical attributes directly to precious and soft objects.

Assonance / Rhyme (Edukai)

Kodai mazhaiyae vaadai paniyae

The second letter rhyming of 'Kodai' and 'Vaadai' creates a pleasing rhythm typical of classical Tamil poetic structure.

Repetition / Alliteration (Iyaibu & Antadi elements)

Kattuthu kattu vettuthu vettu

Repetition of words like 'kattu' and 'vettu' emphasizes rhythm and emotional intensity in the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by SPB, 'Oru Iravu Oru Paravai' (1981) features lyricist Kannadasan's signature blend of folk-inspired rhythms and sensual rural metaphors.

Keep listening

More from Oru Iravu Oru Paravai