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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Thannanth Thanimaiyile

From School Master · 1973

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: P. Susheela
Music director: M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name: School Master
Movie release year: 1973
Lyrics added on: 23 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Thannanth thanimaiyilae

Thannanth thanimaiyilae

Udal thallaadum vayathinilae

Ungal punnagaiyai paarththirunthaal

Inbam pothaatho enthanukku…

Thannanth thanimaiyilae

Udal thallaadum vayathinilae

Ungal punnagaiyai paarththirunthaal

Inbam pothaatho enthanukku….

Manjalukku palamirunthaal

Enthan mangalaththil arulirunthaal

Manjalukku palamirunthaal

Enthan mangalaththil arulirunthaal

Kungumaththil gunamirunthaal

Ondrum kuraiyaamal vaazha vaikkum

Paththu murai piranthaalum

Ungal pakkathunai naan varuvaen

Petha pillai maranthaalum

Naan pillai pol valarnthiruppen

Naan pillai pol valarnthiruppen

Thannanth thanimaiyilae

Udal thallaadum vayathinilae

Ungal punnagaiyai paarththirunthaal

Inbam pothaatho enthanukku….

Naan vanangum deivamellaam

Ungal nalla gunam ariyaatho

Kovilukku koduththathellaam

Nanmai kondu vara maattaatho

Moochchirukkum kaalam varai

Ungal mugam paarththu naaniruppaen

Kaattru nindru pogumendraal

Ungal kaaladiyil uyir koduppaen

Thannanth thanimaiyilae

Udal thallaadum vayathinilae

Ungal punnagaiyai paarththirunthaal

Inbam pothaatho enthanukku….

In complete loneliness,

In complete loneliness,

In this old age when the body falters,

If I can just look at your smile,

Isn't that joy enough for me?

In complete loneliness,

In this old age when the body falters,

If I can just look at your smile,

Isn't that joy enough for me?

If the holy turmeric has power,

If there is grace in my sacred marriage,

If the holy turmeric has power,

If there is grace in my sacred marriage,

If the red kumkum has virtue,

It will let us live without any lack.

Even if I am born ten times,

I will come as the companion by your side.

Even if the child we gave birth to forgets us,

I will stay by you like a child.

I will stay by you like a child.

In complete loneliness,

In this old age when the body falters,

If I can just look at your smile,

Isn't that joy enough for me?

Don't all the gods I pray to

Know your good and noble heart?

Won't all that we offered to the temple

Bring goodness back to us?

As long as there is breath in me,

I will live looking at your face.

If that breath should ever stop,

I will give up my life at your feet.

In complete loneliness,

In this old age when the body falters,

If I can just look at your smile,

Isn't that joy enough for me?

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply moving reflection on lifelong companionship, marital devotion, and resilience in old age. Set against the backdrop of physical frailty and emotional isolation, the protagonist finds ultimate solace and joy merely in her husband's gentle smile. She emphasizes that physical infirmity and the possible neglect of offspring cannot diminish the sacred bond they share. Kannadasan weaves traditional Tamil cultural elements into the lyrics, presenting symbols like turmeric (manjal) and vermilion (kungumam) as embodiments of spiritual purity and marital longevity. The song reassures that selfless deeds, divine blessings, and unwavering love are sufficient to weather any adversity in the evening of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Manjalukku palamirunthaal / Enthan mangalaththil arulirunthaal / Kungumaththil gunamirunthaal”

The lines end with identical rhyming suffixes like 'palamirunthaal', 'arulirunthaal', and 'gunamirunthaal', creating a melodious rhythm.

Cultural Symbolism / Metaphor

“Manjalukku palamirunthaal ... Kungumaththil gunamirunthaal”

Manjal (turmeric) and Kungumam (vermilion) serve as metaphors for auspiciousness, fidelity, and the enduring sanctity of marriage in Tamil culture.

Atishayokthi (Hyperbole)

“Paththu murai piranthaalum / Ungal pakkathunai naan varuvaen”

Expressing devotion across multiple rebirths enhances the emotional weight of eternal companionship.

Simile (Upamai)

“Naan pillai pol valarnthiruppen”

The speaker compares herself to a child ('pillai pol'), indicating absolute trust, warmth, and dependence on her spouse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the 1973 film 'School Master', this song showcases P. Susheela's expressive vocals depicting elderly love. The lyrics by Kannadasan are widely praised in Tamil cinema for beautifully addressing the theme of romantic devotion enduring well into old age.

Keep listening

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