Thanjavur Bommaiyai
From Kaveriyin Kanavan · 1959
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- Trichy Loganathan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Kaveriyin Kanavan1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thanjavur bommaiyai pol | Like a Thanjavur nodding doll, |
| Thalaiyattum kuruvigala …haei | O birds that nod your heads... hey! |
| Ungalukku thanmanamae | To all of you, self-respect |
| Endrum sannamaagum | Will always become very thin and fragile. |
| Idhai maravadhir | Do not forget this, |
| Thamizh naattu paravaigala.. paravaigala | O birds of the Tamil land.. O birds! |
| Male | |
| Thandhanathaana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana) |
| Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes! |
| Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than | Just to know all your news and whereabouts |
| Vandhenae mayilae | I have come, oh peacock! |
| Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes! |
| Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than | Just to know all your news and whereabouts |
| Vandhenae mayilae | I have come, oh peacock! |
| Male | |
| Pathaavadhu padicha ponnae | O girl who studied up to tenth grade, |
| Paritchai paasachaa | Did you pass your examination? |
| Nee padikkaama kottadicha | Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes, |
| Varusham paasachaa | Did the entire year pass by? |
| Pathaavadhu padicha ponnae | O girl who studied up to tenth grade, |
| Paritchai paasachaa | Did you pass your examination? |
| Nee padikkaama kottadicha | Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes, |
| Varusham paasachaa | Did the entire year pass by? |
| Male | |
| Andha kuthaalathu neeru veezhchi | That Courtallam waterfall |
| Kodaikaanal season ellaam | And the Kodaikanal tourist season, |
| Suthaamale suthi vara | Without even roaming around, to roam around |
| Shokku vandhaacha | Have you gotten a stylish passion? |
| Andha kuthaalathu neeru veezhchi | That Courtallam waterfall |
| Kodaikaanal season ellaam | And the Kodaikanal tourist season, |
| Suthaamale suthi vara | Without even roaming around, to roam around |
| Shokku vandhaacha | Have you gotten a stylish passion? |
| Male | |
| Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes! |
| Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than | Just to know all your news and whereabouts |
| Vandhenae mayilae | I have come, oh peacock! |
| Male | |
| Pombalaingha sirichaa | If women laugh casually, |
| Karppin veeram poyidum | The valor of chastity fades away. |
| Pugaiyilaiyai virichu vittaa | If tobacco leaves are opened up, |
| Kaaram poyidum | Their pungency fades away. |
| Pombalaingha sirichaa | If women laugh casually, |
| Karppin veeram poyidum | The valor of chastity fades away. |
| Pugaiyilaiyai virichu vittaa | If tobacco leaves are opened up, |
| Kaaram poyidum | Their pungency fades away. |
| Male | |
| Sembavala udhattin melae | Upon the red coral lips, |
| Danger saayam iruppadhinaal | Since there is a dangerous color dye, |
| Haeiyaa | Haeiyaa! |
| Sembavala udhattin melae | Upon the red coral lips, |
| Danger saayam iruppadhinaal | Since there is a dangerous color dye, |
| Chinnanchiru mainarellaam | All young Myna birds (young men/women) |
| Therinju palaganum….palaganum | Should interact with awareness... interact with awareness! |
| Male | |
| Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes! |
| Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than | Just to know all your news and whereabouts |
| Vandhenae mayilae | I have come, oh peacock! |
| Male | |
| Paazhum ulagai purinjikkadha | Without understanding this wretched world, |
| Bangaru pappa | Oh golden child (Bangaru baby), |
| Un personalitykku yethathu than | Suiting your personality |
| Paijaama jippa | Is a pajama and jippa! |
| Paazhum ulagai purinjikkadha | Without understanding this wretched world, |
| Bangaru pappa | Oh golden child (Bangaru baby), |
| Un personalitykku yethathu than | Suiting your personality |
| Paijaama jippa | Is a pajama and jippa! |
| Male | |
| Kaalam pora dhinsai paathu | Observing the direction in which times are changing, |
| Kavanamaaga karppai kaathu | Carefully guarding one's honor and character, |
| Aalai kandu mayangidaama | Without falling for anyone's looks, |
| Poganum rougha | One must walk tough and rough. |
| Indha kaalam pora dhinsai paathu | Observing the direction in which times are changing, |
| Kavanamaaga karppai kaathu | Carefully guarding one's honor and character, |
| Aalai kandu mayangidaama | Without falling for anyone's looks, |
| Poganum rougha…..roughaa | One must walk tough and rough... rough! |
| Male | |
| Thandhanathaana | Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana) |
| Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes! |
| Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than | Just to know all your news and whereabouts |
| Vandhenae mayilae | I have come, oh peacock! |
தஞ்சாவூர் பொம்மையைப் போல்
தலையாட்டும் குருவிகளா ..ஹே
உங்களுக்குத் தன்மானமே
என்றும் சன்மானமாகும்
இதை மறவாதீர்
தமிழ் நாட்டுப் பறவைகளா..... பறவைகளா.....
Like a Thanjavur nodding doll,
O birds that nod your heads... hey!
To all of you, self-respect
Will always become very thin and fragile.
Do not forget this,
O birds of the Tamil land.. O birds!
தந்தனத்தானா தந்தனத்தானா
தனதந்தினா தந்தானக் குயிலே
உன் சங்கதி எல்லாம் தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான்
வந்தேனே மயிலே....
தந்தனத்தானா தந்தனத்தானா
தனதந்தினா தந்தானக் குயிலே
உன் சங்கதி எல்லாம் தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான்
வந்தேனே மயிலே...
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana)
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
I have come, oh peacock!
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
I have come, oh peacock!
பத்தாவது படிச்ச பொண்ணே
பரீட்சை பாசாச்சா
நீ படிக்காம கோட்டடிச்சு
வருஷம் பாசாச்சா
பத்தாவது படிச்ச பொண்ணே
பரீட்சை பாசாச்சா
நீ படிக்காம கோட்டடிச்சு
வருஷம் பாசாச்சா
O girl who studied up to tenth grade,
Did you pass your examination?
Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes,
Did the entire year pass by?
O girl who studied up to tenth grade,
Did you pass your examination?
Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes,
Did the entire year pass by?
அந்த குத்தாலத்து நீர் வீழ்ச்சி
கொடைக்கானல் சீசனெல்லாம்
சுத்தாமலே சுத்தி வர
ஷோக்கு வந்தாச்சா.......
அந்த குத்தாலத்து நீர் வீழ்ச்சி
கொடைக்கானல் சீசனெல்லாம்
சுத்தாமலே சுத்தி வர
ஷோக்கு வந்தாச்சா.......
That Courtallam waterfall
And the Kodaikanal tourist season,
Without even roaming around, to roam around
Have you gotten a stylish passion?
That Courtallam waterfall
And the Kodaikanal tourist season,
Without even roaming around, to roam around
Have you gotten a stylish passion?
தந்தனத்தானா தந்தனத்தானா
தனதந்தினா தந்தானக் குயிலே
உன் சங்கதி எல்லாம் தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான்
வந்தேனே மயிலே...
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
I have come, oh peacock!
பொம்பளைங்க சிரிச்சா
கற்பின் வீரம் போயிடும்
புகையிலையை விரிச்சு விட்டா
காரம் போயிடும்
பொம்பளைங்க சிரிச்சா
கற்பின் வீரம் போயிடும்
புகையிலையை விரிச்சு விட்டா
காரம் போயிடும்
If women laugh casually,
The valor of chastity fades away.
If tobacco leaves are opened up,
Their pungency fades away.
If women laugh casually,
The valor of chastity fades away.
If tobacco leaves are opened up,
Their pungency fades away.
செம்பவள உதட்டின் மேலே
டேஞ்சர் சாயம் இருப்பதினால்
ஹேய்
செம்பவள உதட்டின் மேலே
டேஞ்சர் சாயம் இருப்பதினால்
சின்னஞ்சிறு மைனரெல்லாம்
தெரிஞ்சுப் பழகணும் ..பழகணும்
Upon the red coral lips,
Since there is a dangerous color dye,
Haeiyaa!
Upon the red coral lips,
Since there is a dangerous color dye,
All young Myna birds (young men/women)
Should interact with awareness... interact with awareness!
தந்தனத்தானா தந்தனத்தானா
தனதந்தினா தந்தானக் குயிலே
உன் சங்கதி எல்லாம் தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான்
வந்தேனே மயிலே...
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
I have come, oh peacock!
பாழும் உலகைப் புரிஞ்சிக்காத
பங்காரு பாப்பா
உன் பர்சனால்டிக் கேத்ததுதான்
பைஜாமா ஜிப்பா
பாழும் உலகைப் புரிஞ்சிக்காத
பங்காரு பாப்பா
உன் பர்சனால்டிக் கேத்ததுதான்
பைஜாமா ஜிப்பா
Without understanding this wretched world,
Oh golden child (Bangaru baby),
Suiting your personality
Is a pajama and jippa!
Without understanding this wretched world,
Oh golden child (Bangaru baby),
Suiting your personality
Is a pajama and jippa!
காலம் போற தினுசைப் பாத்து
கவனமாகக் கற்பைக் காத்து
ஆளைக் கண்டு மயங்கிடாமே
போகணும் ரப்பா....
இந்த காலம் போற தினுசைப் பாத்து
கவனமாகக் கற்பைக் காத்து
ஆளைக் கண்டு மயங்கிடாமே
போகணும் ரப்பா....ரப்பா....
Observing the direction in which times are changing,
Carefully guarding one's honor and character,
Without falling for anyone's looks,
One must walk tough and rough.
Observing the direction in which times are changing,
Carefully guarding one's honor and character,
Without falling for anyone's looks,
One must walk tough and rough... rough!
தந்தனத்தானா
தந்தனத்தானா தந்தனத்தானா
தனதந்தினா தந்தானக் குயிலே
உன் சங்கதி எல்லாம் தெரிஞ்சிக்கத்தான்
வந்தேனே மயிலே...
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana)
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
I have come, oh peacock!
Thanjavur bommaiyai pol
Like a Thanjavur nodding doll,
Thalaiyattum kuruvigala …haei
O birds that nod your heads... hey!
Ungalukku thanmanamae
To all of you, self-respect
Endrum sannamaagum
Will always become very thin and fragile.
Idhai maravadhir
Do not forget this,
Thamizh naattu paravaigala.. paravaigala
O birds of the Tamil land.. O birds!
Thandhanathaana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana)
Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
Vandhenae mayilae
I have come, oh peacock!
Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
Vandhenae mayilae
I have come, oh peacock!
Pathaavadhu padicha ponnae
O girl who studied up to tenth grade,
Paritchai paasachaa
Did you pass your examination?
Nee padikkaama kottadicha
Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes,
Varusham paasachaa
Did the entire year pass by?
Pathaavadhu padicha ponnae
O girl who studied up to tenth grade,
Paritchai paasachaa
Did you pass your examination?
Nee padikkaama kottadicha
Without studying, as you wasted time bunking classes,
Varusham paasachaa
Did the entire year pass by?
Andha kuthaalathu neeru veezhchi
That Courtallam waterfall
Kodaikaanal season ellaam
And the Kodaikanal tourist season,
Suthaamale suthi vara
Without even roaming around, to roam around
Shokku vandhaacha
Have you gotten a stylish passion?
Andha kuthaalathu neeru veezhchi
That Courtallam waterfall
Kodaikaanal season ellaam
And the Kodaikanal tourist season,
Suthaamale suthi vara
Without even roaming around, to roam around
Shokku vandhaacha
Have you gotten a stylish passion?
Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
Vandhenae mayilae
I have come, oh peacock!
Pombalaingha sirichaa
If women laugh casually,
Karppin veeram poyidum
The valor of chastity fades away.
Pugaiyilaiyai virichu vittaa
If tobacco leaves are opened up,
Kaaram poyidum
Their pungency fades away.
Pombalaingha sirichaa
If women laugh casually,
Karppin veeram poyidum
The valor of chastity fades away.
Pugaiyilaiyai virichu vittaa
If tobacco leaves are opened up,
Kaaram poyidum
Their pungency fades away.
Sembavala udhattin melae
Upon the red coral lips,
Danger saayam iruppadhinaal
Since there is a dangerous color dye,
Haeiyaa
Haeiyaa!
Sembavala udhattin melae
Upon the red coral lips,
Danger saayam iruppadhinaal
Since there is a dangerous color dye,
Chinnanchiru mainarellaam
All young Myna birds (young men/women)
Therinju palaganum….palaganum
Should interact with awareness... interact with awareness!
Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
Vandhenae mayilae
I have come, oh peacock!
Paazhum ulagai purinjikkadha
Without understanding this wretched world,
Bangaru pappa
Oh golden child (Bangaru baby),
Un personalitykku yethathu than
Suiting your personality
Paijaama jippa
Is a pajama and jippa!
Paazhum ulagai purinjikkadha
Without understanding this wretched world,
Bangaru pappa
Oh golden child (Bangaru baby),
Un personalitykku yethathu than
Suiting your personality
Paijaama jippa
Is a pajama and jippa!
Kaalam pora dhinsai paathu
Observing the direction in which times are changing,
Kavanamaaga karppai kaathu
Carefully guarding one's honor and character,
Aalai kandu mayangidaama
Without falling for anyone's looks,
Poganum rougha
One must walk tough and rough.
Indha kaalam pora dhinsai paathu
Observing the direction in which times are changing,
Kavanamaaga karppai kaathu
Carefully guarding one's honor and character,
Aalai kandu mayangidaama
Without falling for anyone's looks,
Poganum rougha…..roughaa
One must walk tough and rough... rough!
Thandhanathaana
Rhythmic folk chant (Thandhanathaana)
Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo chanting rhythmic tunes!
Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than
Just to know all your news and whereabouts
Vandhenae mayilae
I have come, oh peacock!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lively social commentary song from Kaveriyin Kanavan (1959) uses traditional Tamil folk rhythm (Naiyandi / Karagattam style) to deliver a satirical message about changing modern values, modern education, and youth behavior. The singer addresses young people metaphorically as birds and Thanjavur dolls, warning them against blindly imitating modern trends or losing their self-respect and moral strength. Packed with references to 10th-grade exams, modern attire like pyjama-jippa, lipstick, and hill-station trips, lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass uses playful folk metaphors to advise youth to remain strong, cautious, and practical in an evolving world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Thanjavur bommaiyai pol”
Compares blindly agreeing or nodding people to 'Thanjavur bommai' (Thanjavur nodding dolls).
Rhyme (Monai / Etukai)
“Pathaavadhu padicha ponnae / Paritchai paasachaa”
Second-letter rhyming (Etukai) between 'Pathaavadhu' and 'Paritchai' / 'Sembavala' and 'Danger' within the stanzas.
Apostrophe / Personification
“Thandhanathaana thanthandhina thandhaana kuyilae / Un sangadhi ellaam therinjikka than / Vandhenae mayilae”
Addressing people using metaphorical bird terms like 'kuyilae' (cuckoo) and 'mayilae' (peacock).
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Kaveriyin Kanavan (1959) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki, with iconic music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung by Trichy Loganathan, this track is celebrated for blending classical Tamil folk tunes with modern urban satire.
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