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Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Theril Vanthirukkum

From Karthigai Deepam · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Karthigai Deepam1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathilIn this garden where this maiden resides,
Velai ennavoo hoo hooWhat is your task here? O-o-o,
Velai ennavooWhat is your task here?
Female
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathilIn this garden where this maiden resides,
Velai ennavoo hoo hooWhat is your task here? O-o-o,
Velai ennavooWhat is your task here?
Female
Palli sellum paavaiyaraiDid you come to watch the school-going maidens
Paarthu pogavaaAnd then depart?
Palli sellum paavaiyaraiDid you come to watch the school-going maidens
Paarthu pogavaaAnd then depart?
Indha paruvam thandha kaadhalukkuOr to bestow your blessings upon the love
Vaazhthu kooravaaBrought forth by this youthful age?
Velli nilaa varavukaagaDid you come to announce the arrival
Kattiyum kooravaaOf the silver moon?
Velli nilaa varavukaagaDid you come to announce the arrival
Kattiyum kooravaaOf the silver moon?
Illai vidiyum varaiOr to rest here and ease your weariness
Ingae thanghi kalai paaravaaUntil the break of dawn?
Female
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathilIn this garden where this maiden resides,
Velai ennavoo hooWhat is your task here? O-o-o,
Velai ennavooWhat is your task here?
Female
Komala nun idai kunguma sevvidazhWith a slender waist, vermilion-red lips,
Konjum karuvizhi chithiramaaiAnd playful black eyes framed like a picture,
Thamarai seeradi nogum endranjiyaFearing that tender lotus-like feet might ache,
Thappi thappi migha bathiramaaiTreading carefully and with utmost care,
Mella mella nadanthuWalking gently and slowly,
Mana varai adainthuReaching the wedding dais,
Mella mella nadanthuWalking gently and slowly,
Mana varai adainthuReaching the wedding dais,
Naan maalai iduvathu ennaal endruDid you come to find out on which day
Therindhu kolla vandhaayaI will exchange the wedding garland?
Therindhu kolla vandhaayaDid you come to find out that?
Female
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathilIn this garden where this maiden resides,
Velai ennavoo hooWhat is your task here? O-o-o,
Velai ennavooWhat is your task here?
Female
Pirandha veetin perumai kaakkumProtecting the honor of the home I was born in,
Pen aaguvenI shall be a dutiful daughter;
Pirandha veetin perumai kaakkumProtecting the honor of the home I was born in,
Pen aaguvenI shall be a dutiful daughter;
Oru naal pugundha veetai paadhukaakumGuarding the household I enter through marriage,
Kann aaguvenI shall be its protective eye;
Ennai manadhavarin sevaiyilaeIn caring for the man who weds me,
Thaai aaguvenI shall be like a mother;
Ennai manadhavarin sevaiyilaeIn caring for the man who weds me,
Thaai aaguvenI shall be like a mother;
Avar maarbinilae thavazhum bodhuAnd when resting close upon his chest,
Saei aaguvenI shall be his playful child.
Female
Thanga thaeril vanthirukkumOh evening swan that has arrived in a golden chariot,
Maalai annamaeEvening swan!
Indha mangai irukkum nandhavanathilIn this garden where this maiden resides,
Velai ennavoo hooWhat is your task here? O-o-o,
Velai ennavooWhat is your task here?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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