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Karthigai Deepam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Theril Vanthirukkum

From Karthigai Deepam · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Movie name
Karthigai Deepam
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
16 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathil
Velai ennavoo hoo hoo
Velai ennavoo
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathil
Velai ennavoo hoo hoo
Velai ennavoo
Palli sellum paavaiyarai
Paarthu pogavaa
Palli sellum paavaiyarai
Paarthu pogavaa
Indha paruvam thandha kaadhalukku
Vaazhthu kooravaa
Velli nilaa varavukaaga
Kattiyum kooravaa
Velli nilaa varavukaaga
Kattiyum kooravaa
Illai vidiyum varai
Ingae thanghi kalai paaravaa
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathil
Velai ennavoo hoo
Velai ennavoo
Komala nun idai kunguma sevvidazh
Konjum karuvizhi chithiramaai
Thamarai seeradi nogum endranjiya
Thappi thappi migha bathiramaai
Mella mella nadanthu
Mana varai adainthu
Mella mella nadanthu
Mana varai adainthu
Naan maalai iduvathu ennaal endru
Therindhu kolla vandhaaya
Therindhu kolla vandhaaya
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathil
Velai ennavoo hoo
Velai ennavoo
Pirandha veetin perumai kaakkum
Pen aaguven
Pirandha veetin perumai kaakkum
Pen aaguven
Oru naal pugundha veetai paadhukaakum
Kann aaguven
Ennai manadhavarin sevaiyilae
Thaai aaguven
Ennai manadhavarin sevaiyilae
Thaai aaguven
Avar maarbinilae thavazhum bodhu
Saei aaguven
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum
Maalai annamae
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathil
Velai ennavoo hoo
Velai ennavoo
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
In this flower garden where this young woman stays,
what business brings you here? Hoo hoo,
what business brings you here?
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
In this flower garden where this young woman stays,
what business brings you here? Hoo hoo,
what business brings you here?
Did you come just to gaze at
the young girls going to school and leave?
Did you come just to gaze at
the young girls going to school and leave?
Or did you come to offer your blessings
to the love born of this youthful age?
Did you come to herald the arrival
of the silver moon?
Did you come to herald the arrival
of the silver moon?
Or did you come to stay until dawn
and admire the beauty of art?
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
In this flower garden where this young woman stays,
what business brings you here? Hoo,
what business brings you here?
With a delicate slender waist, red kumkum-like lips,
and playful dark eyes like a living portrait,
fearing that her tender lotus feet might ache,
stepping softly and oh so carefully,
walking gently, step by step,
to reach the wedding stage—
walking gently, step by step,
to reach the wedding stage—
did you come to find out which day
I will exchange the wedding garland?
Did you come to find out?
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
In this flower garden where this young woman stays,
what business brings you here? Hoo,
what business brings you here?
I will be the daughter who upholds
the honor of the home where I was born.
I will be the daughter who upholds
the honor of the home where I was born.
One day, to protect the home I marry into,
I will become its watchful eye.
In caring for the man who marries me,
I will be a loving mother.
In caring for the man who marries me,
I will be a loving mother.
And when I rest upon his chest,
I will become his tender child.
You who have arrived in a golden chariot,
O evening swan,
In this flower garden where this young woman stays,
what business brings you here? Hoo,
what business brings you here?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song depicts a playful and reflective monologue by a young woman addressing a metaphorical swan (or evening breeze) visiting her garden. She playfully questions the purpose of its visit—asking if it has come to observe schoolgirls, herald the arrival of the silver moon, or simply rest until dawn. She then envisions her future marriage, walking gently toward the bridal dais with grace and care. In the final stanza, she articulates the ideal roles of a traditional woman: upholding the honor of her parental home, becoming the watchful protector of her marital home, nurturing her husband like a mother, and being a affectionate companion to him. Sung delightfully by L. R. Eswari, the song captures feminine grace, romantic anticipation, and noble virtues.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Thanga thaeril vanthirukkum Maalai annamae

Addressing the evening setting or breeze as 'Maalai annamae' (evening swan) riding a 'Thanga thaer' (golden chariot).

Repetition / Reduplication (Adukku Thodar)

Thappi thappi migha bathiramaai / Mella mella nadanthu

The words 'Thappi thappi' and 'Mella mella' are repeated sequentially to emphasize rhythmic, delicate stepping.

Simile / Hyperbole (Uvamaani)

Thamarai seeradi nogum endranjiya

Describing her lotus-like tender feet ('Thamarai seeradi') and fearing they might hurt upon touching the ground.

Contrast & Role Transition (Paathira Valarchchi)

Pen aaguven... Kann aaguven... Thaai aaguven... Saei aaguven

Poetic progression depicting the woman as a daughter ('Pen'), protective eye ('Kann'), mother ('Thaai'), and child ('Saei').

Did you know?

Trivia

Karthigai Deepam (1965), starring S. A. Ashokan, C. V. Rajendran, and Devika, featured music composed by R. Sudarsanam. L. R. Eswari's expressive rendition of this song remains one of her celebrated solo melodies, highlighting her versatility beyond high-tempo dance numbers.

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