Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaniye Thananthaniye

From Rhythm · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Shankar Mahadevan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Rhythm2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Thaniyae thannan thaniyaeAlone, completely alone
Naan kaathu kaathu nindrenI stood waiting and waiting
Nilamae poru nilamae unOh Earth, wait oh Earth
Porumai vendru viduven } (2)I will win over even your patience
Male
{ Puriyaadhaa ….. peranbae ….. } (2)Do you not understand... my great love...
Oh thaniyae thaniyae thaniyaeOh alone, alone, alone
Female
……………………………………..
Male
October maadhadhilIn the month of October
Andhimazhai vaanathilIn the sky during evening rain
Vaanavillai rasithirundhenI was admiring a rainbow
Male
Andha nerathil yaarumillaiAt that time, no one was around
Dhoorathil ival matumFar away, she alone
Vaanavillai rasika vandhaalCame to admire the rainbow
Male
{ Oho papaaya aahaa papaaya } (2)Oho papaya aaha papaya
Male
October maadhadhilIn the month of October
Andhimazhai vaanathilIn the sky during evening rain
Vaanavillai rasithirundhenI was admiring a rainbow
Male
Andha nerathil yaarumillaiAt that time, no one was around
Dhoorathil ival matumFar away, she alone
Vaanavillai rasika vandhaalCame to admire the rainbow
Male
{ Andru kangal paarthu kondomThat day, our eyes met
Uyir kaatrai maatri kondom } (2)We exchanged our life's breath
{ Rasanai ennum oru pulliyilAt a single point of shared appreciation
Iru idhayam inaiya kandom } (2)We saw two hearts join together
Male
Naanum avalum inaigaiyil nilaWhen she and I united, the moon
Andru paalmazhai pozhindhadhuShowered milk-like rain that day
Male
Thaniyae thannan thaniyaeAlone, completely alone
Naan kaathu kaathu nindrenI stood waiting and waiting
Nilamae poru nilamae unOh Earth, wait oh Earth
Porumai vendru viduvenI will win over even your patience
Male
PuriyaadhaaDo you not understand?
Male
……………………………………
Male
Ennudaiya nizhalaiyum innoruthiShe felt that even another woman touching my shadow
Thoduvadhu pizhaiyendru karudhivitaalWas a grave mistake
Oru jeans anindha chinnakiliWhen a little bird wearing jeans
Hello solli kaikoduka thangamugam karugivitaalGave a handshake saying hello, her golden face darkened in jealousy
Male
{ Andha kalli pirindhu sendraalThat deceitful beauty parted and left
Naan jeevan urugi nindren } (2)Chorus :…………..I stood with my soul melting away
Male
{ Chinnadhoru kaaranathaalFor a tiny reason
Siragadithu maraindhuvitaal } (2)She fluttered her wings and vanished
Meendum varuvaal nambinen adhoI believed she would return; look there,
Aval varum vazhi theriyudhuThe path she comes from is visible
Male
Thaniyae ………………..Alone...
Thaniyae thannan thaniyaeAlone, completely alone
Naan kaathu kaathu nindrenI stood waiting and waiting
Nilamae poru nilamae unOh Earth, wait oh Earth
Porumai vendru viduvenI will win over even your patience
Male
Puriyaadhaa ….. peranbae …..Do you not understand... my great love...
Puriyaadhaa …….Do you not understand...?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaniyae Thannan Thaniyae is a soulful song from the album Rhythm (2000) that depicts the deep longing and patience of a lover waiting for his partner after a sudden breakup caused by possessiveness and jealousy. The lyrics vividly recount how they first met while admiring an October rainbow, connecting instantly over shared aesthetic tastes. However, a small innocent interaction with another girl triggered her jealousy, causing her to leave. Despite the pain and isolation, he remains firmly hopeful of her return, claiming his patience will excel even that of Mother Earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification / Hyperbole

Nilamae poru nilamae un Porumai vendru viduven

Addressing the Earth directly and hyperbolically asserting that the singer's patience in waiting will surpass even Earth's legendary endurance.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Thaniyae thannan thaniyae

Emphasis on solitude through the repetition of the word 'Thaniyae' to convey intense loneliness.

Metaphor

Rasanai ennum oru pulliyil Iru idhayam inaiya kandom

Describing the convergence of two hearts as meeting at a single geometric point called aesthetic appreciation ('rasanai').

Visual & Tactile Imagery

Naanum avalum inaigaiyil nila Andru paalmazhai pozhindhadhu

Poetic portrayal of romantic bliss as the moon showering a rain of milk upon their union.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack album of Rhythm (2000), composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, is famously structured around the five natural elements (Pancha Bhoothangal). 'Thaniyae Thannan Thaniyae' represents the element Air (Kaatru) and was sung by Shankar Mahadevan.

Keep listening

More from Rhythm