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Isaimozhi
Saavi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thanjavooru Malligai Idhu

From Saavi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Saavi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
12 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanjavur-u malligai idhu
Konjaama yaengi varuthu
Thirunelveli dosai idhu
Sambhara naadi varuthu
Konja konja kooda irukkum
Kooda kooda ullam inikkum
Konja konja kooda irukkum
Kooda kooda ullam inikkum
Vaaiyyaa naalaachchu
Thanjavur-u malligai idhu
Konjaama yaengi varuthu
Thirunelveli dosai idhu
Sambhara naadi varuthu
Nooru milli saarayam paarvaiyil ooththuven
Soodu innum thevayannaa porvaiyil poththuvaen
Ovvoru raththiri ovvoru mathiri
Ovvoru raththiri ovvoru mathiri
Konjuvaen minjuvaen naanoru mathiri
Thanjavur-u malligai idhu
Konjaama yaengi varuthu
Thirunelveli dosai idhu
Sambhara naadi varuthu
Veettu vaasal munnaalae koottamthaan kooduthu
Veliyae vanthu ninnaalae nottamthaan poduthu
Sillarai veesinaa sinthugal paaduvaen
Sillarai veesinaa sinthugal paaduvaen
Kanjanaa maarinaa jannala mooduvaen
Thanjavur-u malligai idhu
Konjaama yaengi varuthu
Thirunelveli dosai idhu
Sambhara naadi varuthu
Konja konja kooda irukkum
Kooda kooda ullam inikkum
Konja konja kooda irukkum
Kooda kooda ullam inikkum
Vaaiyyaa naalaachchu
Thanjavur-u malligai idhu
Konjaama yaengi varuthu
Thirunelveli dosai idhu
Sambhara naadi varuthu
This is a Thanjavur jasmine,
Longing to be caressed and loved.
This is a Tirunelveli dosa,
Coming in search of sambar.
The more you caress me, the more desire grows,
The closer we get, the sweeter the heart feels.
The more you caress me, the more desire grows,
The closer we get, the sweeter the heart feels.
Come on, my man, it has been so long...
This is a Thanjavur jasmine,
Longing to be caressed and loved.
This is a Tirunelveli dosa,
Coming in search of sambar.
I will pour a shot of liquor with just my glance,
If you need more warmth, I will wrap you in my blanket.
Every night is a different kind of thrill,
Every night is a different kind of thrill,
I will pamper you and overwhelm you; I am truly one of a kind!
This is a Thanjavur jasmine,
Longing to be caressed and loved.
This is a Tirunelveli dosa,
Coming in search of sambar.
A crowd gathers right in front of my doorstep,
If I just step outside and stand, everyone stares at me.
If you toss some coins, I will sing lively folk songs,
If you toss some coins, I will sing lively folk songs,
If you act stingy, I will shut the window on you!
This is a Thanjavur jasmine,
Longing to be caressed and loved.
This is a Tirunelveli dosa,
Coming in search of sambar.
The more you caress me, the more desire grows,
The closer we get, the sweeter the heart feels.
The more you caress me, the more desire grows,
The closer we get, the sweeter the heart feels.
Come on, my man, it has been so long...
This is a Thanjavur jasmine,
Longing to be caressed and loved.
This is a Tirunelveli dosa,
Coming in search of sambar.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful and seductive song uses iconic geographical culinary and cultural references from Tamil Nadu to express temptation and romantic allure. The female protagonist compares her charms to famous regional specialties like Thanjavur jasmine flowers and Thirunelveli dosa searching for its complementary sambar, tantalizing her lover with promises of warmth, affection, and entertainment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Thanjavur-u malligai idhu”

The singer uses famous culinary and regional delicacies like Thanjavur jasmine and Thirunelveli dosa to metaphorically represent herself and her tantalizing beauty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Nooru milli saarayam paarvaiyil ooththuven”

The end words 'ooththuven' and 'poththuvaen' rhyme in alternate lines to maintain a rhythmic flow.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Konja konja kooda irukkum”

The repetition of 'Konja konja' and 'Kooda kooda' creates an incremental poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by Vaali, this song relies on S. Janaki's signature expressive vocals. The movie Saavi (1985), directed by Karthik Raghunath, was an adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's classic crime thriller Dial M for Murder.

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