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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanni Eraikaiyile

From Rayilukku Neramachu · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singer
Rajkumar Bharathi
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Rayilukku Neramachu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanni eraikkaiyilaeWhile drawing water from the well,
Thavala saththam ketkuthadiThe croaking sound of a frog is heard, my girl.
Thaalam pottu en manasuBeating to a rhythmic pulse, my heart
Thaviyaa thavikkuthadiIs yearning and aching terribly, my girl.
Male
Thanni eraikkaiyilaeWhile drawing water from the well,
Thavala saththam ketkuthadiThe croaking sound of a frog is heard, my girl.
Thaalam pottu en manasuBeating to a rhythmic pulse, my heart
Thaviyaa thavikkuthadiIs yearning and aching terribly, my girl.
Male
Velamara poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo perched on the acacia tree,
Vella manam kondavalaeOh pure-hearted woman with a innocent soul,
Velamara poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo perched on the acacia tree,
Vella manam kondavalaeOh pure-hearted woman with a innocent soul,
Male
Velli molachchiruchchuThe morning star has risen in the sky,
Veliya konjam vaayaendiWon't you please step outside for a little while?
Velli molachchiruchchuThe morning star has risen in the sky,
Veliya konjam vaayaendiWon't you please step outside for a little while?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk song captures the tender morning yearning of a rural lover calling out to his beloved. As dawn breaks and ambient sounds of nature emerge—such as frogs croaking while water is drawn from a well—his heart beats restlessly with longing. He affectionately addresses her as a sweet cuckoo bird and praises her pure, innocent heart. Observing the morning star rising in the sky, he gently pleads with her to come outside so he can see her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thanni eraikkaiyilae / Thavala saththam / Thaalam pottu / Thaviyaa thavikkuthadi

Repetition of the initial 'Tha' sound in 'Thanni', 'Thavala', 'Thaalam', and 'Thaviyaa', adding a natural rhythmic beat to the lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Velamara poonguyilae

Comparing the beloved woman affectionately to a sweet 'poonguyil' (cuckoo bird) resting on an acacia tree.

Personification

Thaalam pottu en manasu

Attributing human actions like keeping musical rhythm ('thaalam pottu') to the heart/mind ('manasu').

Did you know?

Trivia

S. A. Rajkumar, who penned the lyrics for this song, eventually established himself as one of Tamil cinema's most prominent and successful music directors during the 1990s, winning multiple state awards.

Keep listening

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