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Lyrics & meaning

Thanni Kodathula Thattura

From Kalloori Kanavugal · 1988

Lyricist
Durai Sanjeevi
Singers
P. Jayachandran, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Mani Raja
Details
Kalloori Kanavugal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanni kodathula thattura thaalam ennaayiWhat beat is tapping on the water pot, Ennaayi?
Indha ponnu manasula karpanai ethanai chellaayiHow many imaginations are in this girl's heart, Chellaayi?
Mundhaana pattaadai vaangi thantha machaanaeMy beloved groom bought and gave me a silk saree pallu,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellamAll along the riverbank path,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellam poovirichu vechaanaeAll along the riverbank path, he spread out flowers for me.
Male
Aa aa aaAa aa aa
Male
Aarathi karpooram nethiyilWith camphor for aarathi on her forehead,
Kunkuma koyila kandaalaamShe reportedly saw a temple of vermilion.
Vaarathil velli naalathaanOn Friday, the auspicious day of the week,
Enni maamana paathaalaamCounting the days, she looked for her beloved uncle.
Female
Kaaveri pongi paayumThe Kaveri river surges and flows,
Kannikku theerala thaagamUnquenchable thirst arises in the young maiden.
Mothiram maathina podhuWhen they exchanged rings,
Vaasalil nambikkai deepamA lamp of hope lit up at the threshold.
Male
Aa aa nilavu veluchathulaAh ah, under the moonlight,
Sirichi kadhai padichaShe smiled and read romantic stories.
Suvadu theriyuthadi sondham puriyuthadiThe footprints are visible, and the bond is understood, dear girl.
Kannatti rosapoo kaathirukka kandanooDid he see the rose waiting with loving eyes?
Kai korthu thalai neevaHolding hands and caressing her head,
Kai korthu thalai neeva kann sorugi kondaalooHolding hands and stroking her hair, her eyes closed gently in bliss.
Female
Aa aaAa aa
Thanni kodathula thattura thaalam ennayiWhat beat is tapping on the water pot, Ennaayi?
Indha ponnu manasula karpanai ethanai chellaayiHow many imaginations are in this girl's heart, Chellaayi?
Male
Sevandhi kaalukku singaaraFor her feet delicate like chrysanthemums,
Maruthaani sithiram pottaanaamHe drew beautiful artistic henna patterns.
Thaerukku poochoodi chellaayi perukkuAdorning the chariot with flowers for Chellaayi,
Oorvalam paarthaanamHe watched the grand procession.
Female
Kollidam karaikku ponaalaamShe went to the banks of the Kollidam river,
Kudamurutti thanni edukkaTo fetch water from the Kudamurutti river,
Kaadhalan maarbil saaindhaalaamShe leaned gently against her lover's chest,
Kallanai pongi pochaamAnd even the Grand Anicut dam (Kallanai) overflowed!
Male
Aa aa aa muthu pallaakku thaeril varuvendiAh ah ah, I will come riding a pearl palanquin chariot,
Moga thee kulira mutham tharuvendiTo give a kiss that cools down the fire of desire.
Mundhaana pattaadai vaangi thantha machaanaeMy beloved groom bought and gave me a silk saree pallu,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellaamAll along the riverbank path,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellam poovirichu vechaanaeAll along the riverbank path, he spread out flowers for me.
Female
Aaa…aaa…Aaa…aaa…
Thanni kodathula thattura thaalam ennaayiWhat beat is tapping on the water pot, Ennaayi?
Indha ponnu manasula karpanai ethanai chellaayiHow many imaginations are in this girl's heart, Chellaayi?
Mundhaana pattaadai vaangi thantha machaanaeMy beloved groom bought and gave me a silk saree pallu,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellamAll along the riverbank path,
Karaiyoram vazhiyellam poovirichu vechaanaeAll along the riverbank path, he spread out flowers for me.
Male :Aa…aa….aa…Male: Aa…aa….aa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory, folk-infused duet depicting a young village maiden's romantic fantasies and her lover's affectionate gestures. Through rhythmic beats and regional river imagery, the song portrays her joy, wedding anticipation, and tender moments spent together with her groom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Imagery (Kaatchi Inbam)

Kollidam karaikku ponaalaam / Kudamurutti thanni edukka

Uses specific landmarks of the Kaveri delta (Kollidam, Kudamurutti, Kallanai) to paint a vivid rural setting of love blooming by the riverbanks.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kaadhalan maarbil saaindhaalaam / Kallanai pongi pochaam

Exaggerates the emotional intensity by comparing the warmth of her leaning on his chest to the overflowing of the massive Kallanai dam.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Moga thee kulira mutham tharuvendi

Compares passionate yearning to a fire ('Moga thee') that can only be quenched by a kiss.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mundhaana pattaadai vaangi thantha machaanae

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in 'Mundhaana' and 'Machaanae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Durai Sanjeevi roots the narrative deeply in the geography of Tamil Nadu's Kaveri river basin by referencing Kallanai (Grand Anicut), Kudamurutti, and Kollidam rivers. The music by Mani Raja captures a authentic rural folk rhythm driven by water pot sound effects.

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