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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanneeril Meni

From Vakkuruthi · 1973

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Vakkuruthi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
10 Aug 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanneril maeni kulirnthathadi
Karaiyaeri vanthaal kothiththadi
Meen vanthu thottu thottu
Maenmelum pattu pattu
Aal thotta inbam piranthathadi…
Thanneril maeni kulirnthathadi
Karaiyaeri vanthaal kothiththadi
Meen vanthu thottu thottu
Maenmelum pattu pattu
Aal thotta inbam piranthathadi….
Neer konda megam naer vanthathu
Naan konda kuzhal vannamaethaan endrathu
Moovagai kaniyum muththaadum kodiyum
Poovai naanthaan endrathu
Naalvaga gunamum ondraaga penmai
Vaazhvae inimai endrathu
Yaethaetho solla solla
En ullam thulla thulla
Anantha raagam piranthathadi
Thanneril maeni kulirnthathadi
Karaiyaeri vanthaal kothiththadi
Meen vanthu thottu thottu
Maenmelum pattu pattu
Aal thotta inbam piranthathadi…
Manam ennum paravai parakkindratthu
Mayakkaththil engengaeyo mithakkindrathu
Maan konda vizhigal maiyodu kalanthu
Thaen konda kavithai padiththathu
Yaenadi pennae illaatha yaekkam
Kooradi nenjam thudiththathu
Vayathukku vantha penmai
Vaadatha poovin menmai
Neeraadumpothu poraaduthu…
Thanneril maeni kulirnthathadi
Karaiyaeri vanthaal kothiththadi
Meen vanthu thottu thottu
Maenmelum pattu pattu
Aal thotta inbam piranthathadi…
In the water, my body felt cool, my friend,
But when I stepped ashore, it burned with heat!
As the fish kept touching me,
Brushing against me more and more,
A thrill was born, like a lover's touch...
In the water, my body felt cool, my friend,
But when I stepped ashore, it burned with heat!
As the fish kept touching me,
Brushing against me more and more,
A thrill was born, like a lover's touch...
A raincloud heavy with water came right before me,
And said its shade was just like the dark color of my hair!
The three sweet fruits and the flowering vine kissing them
Said that I, this young woman, am just like them!
Uniting all four virtues of womanhood,
It declared that life is pure sweetness!
As it whispered all these things to me,
And my heart leapt with delight,
A melody of joy was born, my friend...
In the water, my body felt cool, my friend,
But when I stepped ashore, it burned with heat!
As the fish kept touching me,
Brushing against me more and more,
A thrill was born, like a lover's touch...
The bird of my heart is flying high,
Drifting everywhere in a sweet daze.
My deer-like eyes, lined with kohl,
Read a poem filled with honey.
"Why this yearning that came out of nowhere?"
Tell me—my fluttering heart asked!
Womanhood that has come of age,
With the softness of an unfading flower,
Struggles with desire as I bathe...
In the water, my body felt cool, my friend,
But when I stepped ashore, it burned with heat!
As the fish kept touching me,
Brushing against me more and more,
A thrill was born, like a lover's touch...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Thanneril maeni kulirnthathadi is a classic, evocative Tamil romantic track that expresses the awakening of romantic desire in a young woman. While bathing in a natural body of water, the gentle sensation of fish touching her skin awakens a fiery yearning inside her, contrasting the physical coolness of the river with her internal heat and passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

“Meen vanthu thottu thottu / Maenmelum pattu pattu”

Repetition of words like 'thottu thottu' and 'pattu pattu' to emphasize rhythmic rhythm and continuous gentle touching.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Manam ennum paravai parakkindratthu”

Comparing the restless mind to a flying bird ('Manam ennum paravai').

Imagery & Cultural Allusions

“Moovagai kaniyum muththaadum kodiyum / Naalvaga gunamum ondraaga penmai”

References traditional Tamil literature tropes such as 'Moovagai kani' (the three royal fruits: Mango, Banana, Jackfruit) and 'Naalvaga gunam' (the four virtues of womanhood: Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu).

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1973 film Vakkuruthi showcases the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh's musical composition paired with lyricist Vaali's playful yet classic literary Tamil phrasing. P. Susheela's vocal rendition famously captures a blend of innocent charm and sensual longing.

Keep listening

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Yaarukku Yar Sondham1975
Maalai Sooda VaaNatureBeauty
Vinn Poley1952
AmarakaviNatureLonging
Vasantha Kaala Kolangal1978
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From the same album

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