Thanni Thotti
From Sindhu Bhairavi · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sindhu Bhairavi1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2) | Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2) |
| Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami | This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie. |
| En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami | God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god. |
| { Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2) | Pour the liquor and shut the window (2) |
| Male | |
| { Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2) | Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2) |
| Male | |
| { Putti thottathaala puthi kettu ponen | Because I touched the bottle, I lost my mind. |
| Oorukaya konda unnaiyum thottukuren } (2) | Bring the pickle, I will touch (eat) you too (2) |
| Male | |
| { Adada rammu vantha raagam varum konda | Ah, when rum arrives, the musical melody arrives, bring it! |
| Ithuvum pathathamma kondadi andaa } (2) | Even this is not enough, bring a giant vessel (2)! |
| Male | |
| Maharaja pichai kettu ingu paaduran | A king is standing here begging and singing. |
| Ennai paarthu kopai thallaadum | Looking at me, even the cup wobbles. |
| Kaasu theernthaalae kanneerum kallaagum | When money runs out, even tears turn to stone. |
| Male | |
| Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan | I am a calf that came searching for the water trough. |
| Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan | Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough. |
| Male | |
| Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami | This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie. |
| Hey kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami | Hey, god blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god. |
| { Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2) | Pour the liquor and shut the window (2) |
| Male | |
| { Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2) | Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2) |
| Male | |
| { Innum konjam oothu sruthi konjam aethu | Pour a little more, raise the pitch a bit higher. |
| Mooku vazhi vantha oothuratha niruthu } (2) | If it starts spilling out through the nose, stop pouring (2)! |
| { Ennaku raagam ellam thanni patta paadu | For me, ragas are like water-soaked ease / influenced by alcohol. |
| Innaiku dappankuthu kacheri kelu } (2) | Today, listen to a folk street dance concert (2)! |
| Male | |
| Oru raagam thisai maari isai maaruthu | A melody loses its direction and the music changes. |
| Maanam pochu gaanam pogathu | Honor is gone, but the song will not fade away. |
| Rosham paarthalae pothai thaan aerathu | If you hold onto self-respect, intoxication won't rise. |
| Male | |
| { Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2) | I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2) |
| Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami | This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie. |
| En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami | God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god. |
| { Saarayathai oothu un jannala thaan saathu } (2) | Pour the liquor and shut your window (2) |
| Male | |
| { Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2) | I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2) |
| Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami | This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie. |
| En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami | God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god. |
{ ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான் } (2)
இந்த சூரியன் வழுக்கி
சேத்தில் விழுந்தது மாமி
என் கண்ணை கட்டி காட்டில
விட்டது சாமி சாமி சாமி
{ சாரயத்த ஊத்து ஜன்னலத்தான்
சாத்து } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
Pour the liquor and shut the window (2)
{ ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான் } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
{ புட்டி தொட்டதால
புத்தி கெட்டு போனேன்
ஊருகாய கொண்டா
உன்னையும் தொட்டுக்குறேன் } (2)
Because I touched the bottle, I lost my mind.
Bring the pickle, I will touch (eat) you too (2)
{ அடடா ரம்மு
வந்தா ராகம் வரும்
கொண்டா இதுவும்
பத்தாதம்மா கொண்டாடி
அண்டா } (2)
Ah, when rum arrives, the musical melody arrives, bring it!
Even this is not enough, bring a giant vessel (2)!
மகராஜா பிச்சை
கேட்டு இங்கு பாடுறான்
என்னை பார்த்து கோப்பை
தள்ளாடும் காசு தீர்ந்தாலே
கண்ணீரும் கள்ளாகும்
A king is standing here begging and singing.
Looking at me, even the cup wobbles.
When money runs out, even tears turn to stone.
தண்ணி தொட்டி
தேடி வந்த கன்னுகுட்டி
நான் ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான்
இந்த சூரியன் வழுக்கி
சேத்தில் விழுந்தது மாமி
என் கண்ணை கட்டி காட்டில
விட்டது சாமி சாமி சாமி
{ சாரயத்த ஊத்து ஜன்னலத்தான்
சாத்து } (2)
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough.
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough.
{ ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான் } (2)
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
Hey, god blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
Pour the liquor and shut the window (2)
{ இன்னும் கொஞ்சம்
ஊத்து சுதி கொஞ்சம் ஏத்து
மூக்கு வழி வந்தா ஊத்துறத
நிறுத்து } (2)
{ எனக்கு ராகமெல்லாம்
தண்ணி பட்ட பாடு
இன்னைக்கு டப்பாங்குத்து
கச்சேரி கேளு } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
ஒரு ராகம் திசை
மாறி இசை மாறுது
மானம் போச்சு கானம்
போகாது ரோஷம் பார்த்தாலே
போதை தான் ஏறாது
Pour a little more, raise the pitch a bit higher.
If it starts spilling out through the nose, stop pouring (2)!
For me, ragas are like water-soaked ease / influenced by alcohol.
Today, listen to a folk street dance concert (2)!
{ ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான் } (2)
இந்த சூரியன் வழுக்கி
சேத்தில் விழுந்தது மாமி
என் கண்ணை கட்டி காட்டில
விட்டது சாமி சாமி சாமி
{ சாரயத்த ஊத்து ஜன்னலத்தான்
சாத்து } (2)
A melody loses its direction and the music changes.
Honor is gone, but the song will not fade away.
If you hold onto self-respect, intoxication won't rise.
{ ஹே தண்ணி
தொட்டி தேடி வந்த
கன்னுகுட்டி நான் } (2)
இந்த சூரியன் வழுக்கி
சேத்தில் விழுந்தது மாமி
என் கண்ணை கட்டி காட்டில
விட்டது சாமி சாமி சாமி
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
Pour the liquor and shut your window (2)
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
{ Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2)
Pour the liquor and shut the window (2)
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
{ Putti thottathaala puthi kettu ponen
Because I touched the bottle, I lost my mind.
Oorukaya konda unnaiyum thottukuren } (2)
Bring the pickle, I will touch (eat) you too (2)
{ Adada rammu vantha raagam varum konda
Ah, when rum arrives, the musical melody arrives, bring it!
Ithuvum pathathamma kondadi andaa } (2)
Even this is not enough, bring a giant vessel (2)!
Maharaja pichai kettu ingu paaduran
A king is standing here begging and singing.
Ennai paarthu kopai thallaadum
Looking at me, even the cup wobbles.
Kaasu theernthaalae kanneerum kallaagum
When money runs out, even tears turn to stone.
Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough.
Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough.
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
Hey kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
Hey, god blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
{ Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2)
Pour the liquor and shut the window (2)
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Hey, I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
{ Innum konjam oothu sruthi konjam aethu
Pour a little more, raise the pitch a bit higher.
Mooku vazhi vantha oothuratha niruthu } (2)
If it starts spilling out through the nose, stop pouring (2)!
{ Ennaku raagam ellam thanni patta paadu
For me, ragas are like water-soaked ease / influenced by alcohol.
Innaiku dappankuthu kacheri kelu } (2)
Today, listen to a folk street dance concert (2)!
Oru raagam thisai maari isai maaruthu
A melody loses its direction and the music changes.
Maanam pochu gaanam pogathu
Honor is gone, but the song will not fade away.
Rosham paarthalae pothai thaan aerathu
If you hold onto self-respect, intoxication won't rise.
{ Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
{ Saarayathai oothu un jannala thaan saathu } (2)
Pour the liquor and shut your window (2)
{ Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
I am a calf that came searching for the water trough (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, auntie.
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
God blindfolded me and left me in the forest, oh god, god, god.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This tragic song depicts the pathetic downfall of a high-class Carnatic music maestro (J.K. Balaganesh) who succumbs to severe alcoholism following personal heartbreak and emotional crisis. He self-deprecatingly compares himself to a helpless lost calf craving water and a glorious sun that slipped helplessly into the mud. Through bittersweet humor and tragic irony, he sings in a local tavern, transforming his prestigious classical musical knowledge into a rowdy street-style song. Despite losing his social stature, pride, and self-respect to addiction, his innate musical talent stubbornly shines through the haze of drunkenness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamaai)
“Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami”
The singer compares his former glorious self to the sun ('Sooriyan') and his tragic downfall to slipping into mud ('sethil vizhunthathu'). He also compares himself to a lost calf searching for water.
Wordplay / Pun (Sledai)
“Ennaku raagam ellam thanni patta paadu”
'Thanni patta paadu' plays on a idiom meaning 'an effortless task like splashing water', while also referencing 'thanni' as slang for alcohol.
Internal Rhyming (Iyaibu / Edhugai)
“Maanam pochu gaanam pogathu”
Rhyming 'Maanam' (dignity) with 'Gaanam' (song) creates a poetic rhythmic contrast highlighting that dignity is lost but music remains.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Putti thottathaala puthi kettu ponen”
Repetition of the 'P' sound ('Putti', 'puthi') creates a punchy rhythmic effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic track from K. Balachander's 'Sindhu Bhairavi' (1985) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, written by Vaali, and sung by K.J. Yesudas. The film won three National Film Awards, including Best Music Direction for Ilaiyaraaja. K.J. Yesudas brilliantly captured the slurred yet melodious vocals of a intoxicated classical singer.
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