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Lyrics & meaning

Thaniya Thavichirunthen

From Nerupukkul Eeram · 1984

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nerupukkul Eeram1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haei……kaanthamala oraththulaHey... on the edges of Kaanthamalai hill,
Kalaiyedukkum neraththilaeAt the time of weeding the field,
Aththamavan kaaththamuththuMy uncle's son, Kaaththamuthu,
Yaara thedi ingae vanthaanWhom did he come looking for here?
Female
Haei narachcha mudi thookkikkittuHey, holding up her greyish-black hair,
Nadu varappil pogaiyilaeWhile walking along the middle ridge of the field,
Kaalazhaga paaththuputtuHaving caught sight of her beautiful feet,
Kaaththamuththu odi vanthaanKaaththamuthu came running!
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Male
Aasa mayil nenjukkullaeInside my heart, a peacock of desire
Dhinam aadikkittae irukkuDances every single day.
Kadhal kuyil kannukkullaeInside my eyes, a cuckoo of love
Isai paadikkittae irukkuSings musical tunes continuously.
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Chorus
…………….
Female
Vandu vanthu poovai kanduWhen a beetle comes and sees a flower,
Enna sollum anboduWhat does it whisper affectionately?
Unna kandu aasaiyendruSeeing you, saying it is desire,
Unmai sollum kaadhoduIt tells the truth right into the ear.
Male
Angae paaru vella megamLook there at the white cloud,
Ingae paaru kadhal vegamLook here at the speed of love!
Angae paaru vella megamLook there at the white cloud,
Ingae paaru kadhal vegamLook here at the speed of love!
Kiliyae veyyil oliyaeOh parrot, light of the sunshine,
Thaiyae vaa thaniyaeOh maiden, come alone,
Female
Innumenna naanum sollaWhat more can I say?
Sempavala pettikkullaeInside the red coral box,
Muththukkala kottungaPour out the precious pearls!
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Male
Aasa mayil nenjukkullaeInside my heart, a peacock of desire
Dhinam aadikkittae irukkuDances every single day.
Kadhal kuyil kannukkullaeInside my eyes, a cuckoo of love
Isai paadikkittae irukkuSings musical tunes continuously.
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Male
Kanni unnai kaanum nenjilIn the heart that sees you, maiden,
Gangai vellam paayaathoWon't the flood of Ganges flow?
Machchamulla maman kaiyilIn the hands of the lucky uncle,
Mangai vannam saayaathoWon't the woman's colorful grace lean?
Female
Manjal pongum maalai neramEvening time brimming with turmeric hues,
Maiyal vanthu nenjil yaerumInfatuation rises and enters the heart.
Manjal pongum maalai neramEvening time brimming with turmeric hues,
Maiyal vanthu nenjil yaerumInfatuation rises and enters the heart.
Azhagae kotti kedakkuBeauty lies abundantly scattered,
Arugae sugam irukkuPleasure is right nearby.
Male
Aaththu pakkam povom angaeLet us go towards the river side,
Antharanga sangathigal rompa rompa ullathuWhere there are many intimate secrets to share.
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Male
Aasa mayil nenjukkullaeInside my heart, a peacock of desire
Dhinam aadikkittae irukkuDances every single day.
Kadhal kuyil kannukkullaeInside my eyes, a cuckoo of love
Isai paadikkittae irukkuSings musical tunes continuously.
Male
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.
Female
Thaniyaa thavichchirunthaenI was suffering alone,
Unaiyae nenaichchirunthaenI was thinking only of you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thaniyaa Thavichchirunthaen' from 'Nerupukkul Eeram' (1984) is a playful rural duet between two lovers expressing their deep longing and yearning for each other while engaging in field chores and pastoral life. The opening intro sets a teasing, playful tone recounting how Kaaththamuthu ran to catch a glimpse of his beloved working in the fields. The lovers then exchange poetic confessions, comparing their heart's desire to a dancing peacock and a singing cuckoo, expressing how lonely they felt until reunited. As the song progresses, they exchange subtle romantic advances using metaphors of nature like beetles, flowers, clouds, and riverbanks, looking forward to shared intimacy and togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Aasa mayil nenjukkullae / Kadhal kuyil kannukkullae

Comparing 'desire' to a peacock ('Aasa mayil') and 'love' to a cuckoo ('Kadhal kuyil').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vandu vanthu poovai kandu

Rhyming of the second consonant 'n' (Vandu / Kandu / Aasaiyendru / Kaadhodu).

Antithesis / Contrast (Iyaintu)

Angae paaru vella megam / Ingae paaru kadhal vegam

Contrasting 'Angae' (there) with 'Ingae' (here) to balance white clouds with love's passion.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kanni unnai kaanum nenjil / Gangai vellam paayaatho

Exaggerating the emotion of love in the heart to the immense rush of the Ganges river.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, 'Nerupukkul Eeram' is known for its earthy, rural melodies. The track features legendary singers Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, whose playful vocal inflections perfectly match the folk-infused rustic lyrics penned by Muthulingam.

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