Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanni Vachu

From Jai Hind · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Vidyasagar, Malgudi Subha
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Jai Hind1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hai shuShoo, hi there!
Kannu vachu ponnu vachaanHe set his eyes on me and placed a woman here
Saamikkuthaan salute aahA salute to God Almighty!
Male
Onna vachu enna vachaanHe placed you and placed me together
Adhudhaan pulla secretThat is the secret, my dear
Female
Ooththattumaa ooththattumaaShall I pour? Shall I pour?
Theerattumae buttiLet the bottle empty out
Ooththa ooththa theeraadhaiyaaNo matter how much you pour, it won't run out, sir
Un aalu rombha gettiYour girl is very clever and strong
Female
Mannodu enna ulladhuWhat lies hidden within the earth?
Yaar kandu sonnadhuWho has ever found out and told?
Pennodu enna ulladhuWhat lies hidden within a woman?
Yaar ingae kanndadhuWho here has ever truly discovered?
Vaa kannaala naan mannallaCome, my beloved, I am not made of mere soil
Nee illaama naan pennallaWithout you, I am not a complete woman
Female
Ooththattumaa ooththattumaaShall I pour? Shall I pour?
Theerattumae buttiLet the bottle empty out
Ooththa ooththa theeraadhaiyaaNo matter how much you pour, it won't run out, sir
Un aalu rombha gettiYour girl is very clever and strong
Female
Mun aasai veruthavanumEven a man who renounced all prior desires
Pen aasai veruthadhilla ah ah ah ahHas never renounced the desire for a woman
Sanyaasam ponavanum hahEven one who has embraced asceticism, hah!
Samayam vandha saami illa ah ah ah ahIs no longer divine when the right moment arrives
Sakthi irundhaal sabhalam irundhaalIf there is power and if there is temptation
Mukthi peralaamaeCan't one attain ultimate salvation?
Male
Vaa ponmaanaeCome, my golden deer
Female
Naan mannallaI am not made of mere soil
Nee illaama naan pennallaWithout you, I am not a woman
Male
………………………..[Musical break]
Female
Ooththa ooththa theeraadhaiyaaNo matter how much you pour, it won't run out, sir
Un aalu rombha gettiYour girl is very clever and strong
Chorus
………………………..[Musical break]
Female
Meen thinnaadha kokku undaIs there a stork that doesn't eat fish?
Pen illaama kickku unda ah ah ah ahIs there any thrill without a woman?
Thanni verukkum thavalai undaIs there a frog that detests water?
Kani irukka kavalai unda ah ah ah ahWhen sweet fruit is available, is there any worry?
Vidiya vidiya mudiya mudiyaAll through the night until dawn, over and over
Muyarchi nadandhadhundaaHas an attempt taken place?
Male
Vaa penpoovaeCome, female flower
Female
Naan mannallaI am not made of mere soil
Nee illaama naan pennallaWithout you, I am not a woman
Male
………………………..[Musical break]
Female
Ooththattumaa ooththattumaaShall I pour? Shall I pour?
Theerattumae buttiLet the bottle empty out
Ooththa ooththa theeraadhaiyaaNo matter how much you pour, it won't run out, sir
Un aalu rombha gettiYour girl is very clever and strong
Female
Mannodu enna ulladhuWhat lies hidden within the earth?
Yaar kandu sonnadhuWho has ever found out and told?
Pennodu enna ulladhuWhat lies hidden within a woman?
Yaar ingae kanndadhuWho here has ever truly discovered?
Vaa kannaala naan mannallaCome, my beloved, I am not made of mere soil
Nee illaama naan pennallaWithout you, I am not a complete woman

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song from the 1994 action film 'Jai Hind' uses the playful atmosphere of a dance club/bar to deliver a witty commentary on romantic attraction and human desire. The singer playfully teases her companion while pouring drinks, comparing the mysterious depth of a woman's heart to the unexplored depths of the earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Meen thinnaadha kokku unda / Pen illaama kickku unda

Uses questions with obvious answers involving nature (stork eating fish, frog in water) to emphasize the natural inevitability of human attraction.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Mannodu enna ulladhu / Yaar kandu sonnadhu

Lines ending with similar phonetics ('ulladhu', 'sonnadhu', 'kanndadhu') create a rhythmic, song-like flow.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Ooththa ooththa theeraadhaiyaa

Repetition of words like 'Ooththa ooththa' and 'Vidiya vidiya' adds musical emphasis and rhythmic urgency.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Sakthi irundhaal sabhalam irundhaal / Mukthi peralaamae

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines ('Sakthi' and 'Mukthi') enhances internal musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar for the Arjun-starrer 'Jai Hind' (1994), this song features lyrics by Vairamuthu. The energetic rhythm and blend of folk expressions with contemporary club beats made it a popular dance track in 1990s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

More from Jai Hind