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Sindhu Bhairavi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thanni Thotti

From Sindhu Bhairavi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Sindhu Bhairavi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
31 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
{ Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2)
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
{ Putti thottathaala puthi kettu ponen
Oorukaya konda unnaiyum thottukuren } (2)
{ Adada rammu vantha raagam varum konda
Ithuvum pathathamma kondadi andaa } (2)
Maharaja pichai kettu ingu paaduran
Ennai paarthu kopai thallaadum
Kaasu theernthaalae kanneerum kallaagum
Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan
Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
Hey kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
{ Saarayathai oothu jannala thaan saathu } (2)
{ Hey thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
{ Innum konjam oothu sruthi konjam aethu
Mooku vazhi vantha oothuratha niruthu } (2)
{ Ennaku raagam ellam thanni patta paadu
Innaiku dappankuthu kacheri kelu } (2)
Oru raagam thisai maari isai maaruthu
Maanam pochu gaanam pogathu
Rosham paarthalae pothai thaan aerathu
{ Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
{ Saarayathai oothu un jannala thaan saathu } (2)
{ Thanni thotti thedi vantha kannukutti naan } (2)
Intha sooriyan vazhuki sethil vizhunthathu maami
En kannai katti kaatila vittathu saami saami saami
Hey, I am a calf searching for the water trough!
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, madam!
God blindfolded me and abandoned me in the forest, oh Lord!
Pour the liquor and shut the window!
Hey, I am a calf searching for the water trough!
Touching the bottle made me lose my mind,
Bring some pickle, and I will have a bite of you too!
Oh, bring on the rum and the melody will flow!
Even this is not enough, woman, bring me more!
A king is singing here, begging for scraps!
Looking at me, the glass itself begins to stagger.
When the money runs out, even tears turn to stone.
I am a calf searching for the water trough,
Hey, I am a calf searching for the water trough!
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, madam!
God blindfolded me and abandoned me in the forest, oh Lord!
Pour the liquor and shut the window!
Hey, I am a calf searching for the water trough!
Pour a little more, raise the pitch a bit higher!
Stop pouring only when it starts coming out of my nose!
Singing any melody used to be effortless for me,
Now listen to my rowdy street concert today!
A melody loses its way, and the music turns around.
My honor is gone, but my song will never fade.
If you cling to your pride, the drink will never hit you!
I am a calf searching for the water trough!
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, madam!
God blindfolded me and abandoned me in the forest, oh Lord!
Pour the liquor and shut your window!
I am a calf searching for the water trough!
This sun slipped and fell into the mud, madam!
God blindfolded me and abandoned me in the forest, oh Lord!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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