Thanjavooru Melam
From Thangaikkor Geetham · 1983
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Thangaikkor Geetham1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Ada thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum | I toiled hard just to hear this sound! |
| Male | |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Male | |
| Ada thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum | I toiled hard just to hear this sound! |
| Male | |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Male | |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Male | |
| En kanna pola | Like my very own eye, |
| Nenaichchththaan onna valaththaen | I cherished and raised you. |
| Un ennam pola | According to your wishes, |
| Kalyaanam pesi mudichchen | I arranged and finalized your marriage. |
| Male | |
| En kanna pola | Like my very own eye, |
| Nenaichchththaan onna valaththaen | I cherished and raised you. |
| Un ennam pola | According to your wishes, |
| Kalyaanam pesi mudichchen | I arranged and finalized your marriage. |
| Male | |
| Magaraasavai pol | Like a great king, |
| Nalla maappillaiyaam | He is a fine bridegroom. |
| Avan mana therilae neeyum | On the chariot of his heart, you are |
| Kodi mullaiyaam | A tender jasmine vine. |
| Male | |
| Magaraasavai pol | Like a great king, |
| Nalla maappillaiyaam | He is a fine bridegroom. |
| Avan mana therilae neeyum | On the chariot of his heart, you are |
| Kodi mullaiyaam | A tender jasmine vine. |
| Idha sonnaa onakku yaen vekkam | Why are you blushing when I say this? |
| On vaazhvilthaanae en sorkkam…. | My heaven lies only in your happy life... |
| Male | |
| Ada thanjaavooru melam hoi thaali kattum neram | Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Ketpatharkkuththaane paadupattaen naanum | I toiled hard just to hear this sound! |
| Male | |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Male | |
| Adakkaththa odukaththa kadaipidichchi | Adhering to modesty and humility, |
| Purushan kudumpaththil | In your husband's household, |
| Kowravaththa nela niruththi | Uphold their honor and dignity. |
| Adakkaththa odukaththa kadaipidichchi | Adhering to modesty and humility, |
| Purushan kudumpaththil | In your husband's household, |
| Kowravaththa nela niruththi | Uphold their honor and dignity. |
| Male | |
| Kuththivilakkaagavae neeyum oli veesanum | Like an auspicious traditional lamp, you must shine brightly, |
| Kula pennaagavae neeyum pugazh saerkkanum | As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory. |
| Male | |
| Intha annan kaiyil neeyum oliveesanum | In this brother's life you must shine brightly, |
| Kulapennaagavae neeyum pugazh saerkkanum | As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory. |
| Male | |
| Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram | The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread, |
| Male | |
| Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum | I toiled hard just to hear this sound! |
| Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam | It is my younger sister's wedding! |
| Theruvengumae kondaatamaam | There is celebration all across the street! |
| Peeppi peeppeeppee dumdumdum peepee | Peeppi peeppeeppee dumdumdum peepee (sound of festive pipes and drums) |
| Dudumdumdudumdumdum…. | Dudumdumdudumdumdum... (festive drum beats) |
தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
அட தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
கேட்பதற்குத்தானே பாடுபட்டேன் நானும்
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
தங்கச்சிக்குக் கல்யாணமாம்
தெருவெங்குமே கொண்டாட்டமாம்
என் தங்கச்சிக்குக் கல்யாணமாம்
தெருவெங்குமே கொண்டாட்டமாம்
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
அட தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் ஹோய் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
கேட்பதற்குத்தானே பாடுபட்டேன் நானும்
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
தங்கச்சிக்குக் கல்யாணமாம்
தெருவெங்குமே கொண்டாட்டமாம்
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
என் கண்ணப் போல
நெனச்சித்தான் ஒன்ன வளத்தேன்
உன் எண்ணம் போலக்
கல்யாணம் பேசி முடிச்சேன்
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
என் கண்ணப் போல
நெனச்சித்தான் ஒன்ன வளத்தேன்
உன் எண்ணம் போலக்
கல்யாணம் பேசி முடிச்சேன்
Like my very own eye,
I cherished and raised you.
According to your wishes,
I arranged and finalized your marriage.
மகராசாவைப் போல்
நல்ல மாப்பிள்ளையாம்
அவன் மனத் தேரிலே நீயும்
கொடி முல்லையாம்
Like my very own eye,
I cherished and raised you.
According to your wishes,
I arranged and finalized your marriage.
மகராசாவைப் போல்
நல்ல மாப்பிள்ளையாம்
அவன் மனத் தேரிலே நீயும்
கொடி முல்லையாம்
இதச் சொன்னா ஒனக்கு ஏன் வெக்கம்
ஒன் வாழ்வில்தானே என் சொர்க்கம்...
Like a great king,
He is a fine bridegroom.
On the chariot of his heart, you are
A tender jasmine vine.
அட தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் ஹோய் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
கேட்பதற்குத்தானே பாடுபட்டேன் நானும்
Like a great king,
He is a fine bridegroom.
On the chariot of his heart, you are
A tender jasmine vine.
Why are you blushing when I say this?
My heaven lies only in your happy life...
தங்கச்சிக்குக் கல்யாணமாம்
தெருவெங்குமே கொண்டாட்டமாம்....ஹாம்
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
அடக்கத்த ஒடுக்கத்த கடைபிடிச்சி
புருஷன் குடும்பத்தில்
கௌரவத்த நெல நிறுத்தி
அடக்கத்த ஒடுக்கத்த கடைபிடிச்சி
புருஷன் குடும்பத்தில்
கௌரவத்த நெல நிறுத்தி
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
குத்துவிளக்காகவே நீயும் ஒளிவீசணும்
குலப்பெண்ணாகவே நீயும் புகழ் சேர்க்கணும்
Adhering to modesty and humility,
In your husband's household,
Uphold their honor and dignity.
Adhering to modesty and humility,
In your husband's household,
Uphold their honor and dignity.
இந்த அண்ணன் கையில் தவழ ஹான்
ஒரு மழலை வேணும் மகிழ ஹஹா
Like an auspicious traditional lamp, you must shine brightly,
As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory.
தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் ஹோய் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
தஞ்சாவூரு மேளம் தாலி கட்டும் நேரம்
In this brother's life you must shine brightly,
As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory.
கேட்பதற்குத்தானே பாடுபட்டேன் நானும்
தங்கச்சிக்குக் கல்யாணமாம்
தெருவெங்குமே கொண்டாட்டமாம்
பீப்பி பீப்பீப்பீ டும்டும்டும் பீப்பீப்பீ
டுடும்டும்டுடும்டும்டும்
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
It is my younger sister's wedding!
There is celebration all across the street!
Peeppi peeppeeppee dumdumdum peepee (sound of festive pipes and drums)
Dudumdumdudumdumdum... (festive drum beats)
Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Ada thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
Ada thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
En kanna pola
Like my very own eye,
Nenaichchththaan onna valaththaen
I cherished and raised you.
Un ennam pola
According to your wishes,
Kalyaanam pesi mudichchen
I arranged and finalized your marriage.
En kanna pola
Like my very own eye,
Nenaichchththaan onna valaththaen
I cherished and raised you.
Un ennam pola
According to your wishes,
Kalyaanam pesi mudichchen
I arranged and finalized your marriage.
Magaraasavai pol
Like a great king,
Nalla maappillaiyaam
He is a fine bridegroom.
Avan mana therilae neeyum
On the chariot of his heart, you are
Kodi mullaiyaam
A tender jasmine vine.
Magaraasavai pol
Like a great king,
Nalla maappillaiyaam
He is a fine bridegroom.
Avan mana therilae neeyum
On the chariot of his heart, you are
Kodi mullaiyaam
A tender jasmine vine.
Idha sonnaa onakku yaen vekkam
Why are you blushing when I say this?
On vaazhvilthaanae en sorkkam….
My heaven lies only in your happy life...
Ada thanjaavooru melam hoi thaali kattum neram
Oh, the sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Ketpatharkkuththaane paadupattaen naanum
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
Adakkaththa odukaththa kadaipidichchi
Adhering to modesty and humility,
Purushan kudumpaththil
In your husband's household,
Kowravaththa nela niruththi
Uphold their honor and dignity.
Adakkaththa odukaththa kadaipidichchi
Adhering to modesty and humility,
Purushan kudumpaththil
In your husband's household,
Kowravaththa nela niruththi
Uphold their honor and dignity.
Kuththivilakkaagavae neeyum oli veesanum
Like an auspicious traditional lamp, you must shine brightly,
Kula pennaagavae neeyum pugazh saerkkanum
As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory.
Intha annan kaiyil neeyum oliveesanum
In this brother's life you must shine brightly,
Kulapennaagavae neeyum pugazh saerkkanum
As a virtuous family woman, you must bring glory.
Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Thanjavur-u melam thaali kattum neram
The sound of Thanjavur drums during the tying of the sacred thread,
Ketpatharkkuththaanae paadupattaen naanum
I toiled hard just to hear this sound!
Thangachchikku kalyaanamaam
It is my younger sister's wedding!
Theruvengumae kondaatamaam
There is celebration all across the street!
Peeppi peeppeeppee dumdumdum peepee
Peeppi peeppeeppee dumdumdum peepee (sound of festive pipes and drums)
Dudumdumdudumdumdum….
Dudumdumdudumdumdum... (festive drum beats)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Thanjavur-u Melam' is a joyous wedding anthem sung by a devoted elder brother celebrating his younger sister's marriage. The song captures the overwhelming happiness, pride, and relief of a brother who worked relentlessly to see his sister happily settled. He reminisces about raising her with deep affection like his own eye, compliments the groom, and offers gentle life advice for her new home.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“En kanna pola”
Compares raising the sister with the care given to one's own eye ('En kanna pola nenaichchththaan').
Uvamai (Simile)
“Magaraasavai pol”
Compares the groom to a grand king ('Magaraasavai pol').
Uvuruvagam (Metaphor / Imagery)
“Avan mana therilae neeyum kodi mullaiyaam”
Compares the bride to a tender jasmine vine on the groom's heart-chariot ('Avan mana therilae neeyum kodi mullaiyaam').
Metaphor / Cultural Symbolism
“Kuththivilakkaagavae neeyum oli veesanum”
Compares the bride to an auspicious traditional oil lamp ('Kuththivilakku') that spreads light and prosperity in her new family.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Adakkaththa odukaththa kadaipidichchi”
Repetition of second consonant sound in 'Adakkaththa' and 'Purushan' or rhyming structures across adjacent couplets.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar for 'Thangaikkor Geetham' (1983), this song became an iconic Tamil wedding anthem. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's high-energy vocal delivery along with traditional Nadaswaram and Thavil beats made it a essential track played across marriage halls in Tamil Nadu.
Keep listening
More from Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham
Thangaikkor Geetham