Thannikkul Nikkudhu
From Seerum Singangal · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Suseela, P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Seerum Singangal1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa... |
| Aaa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa... |
| Male | |
| Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai | A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water, |
| Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada | Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation. |
| Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil | Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart, |
| Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga | The pond water itself has turned hot. |
| Female | |
| Katti kolla saelaiyillai | There is no saree to wrap around herself, |
| Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka | So she covers her flower-like body with her hands. |
| Akkam pakkam yaarumillai | There is no one around on either side, |
| Vanthu vidu aadharikka | Come to support and shelter me. |
| Chorus | |
| Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa... |
| Aaa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa... |
| Male | |
| Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai | A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water, |
| Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada | Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation. |
| Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil | Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart, |
| Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga | The pond water itself has turned hot. |
| Female | |
| Hoi….katti kolla saelaiyillai | Hoi... there is no saree to wrap around herself, |
| Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka | So she covers her flower-like body with her hands. |
| Akkam pakkam yaarumillai | There is no one around on either side, |
| Vanthu vidu aadharikka | Come to support and shelter me. |
| Male | |
| Anthi pozhuthukku munnaalae oru | Before the evening dusk sets in, |
| Saedhi sollu unthan kannaalae | Tell me a message through your eyes. |
| Anthi pozhuthukku munnaalae oru | Before the evening dusk sets in, |
| Saedhi sollu unthan kannaalae | Tell me a message through your eyes. |
| Maanikka petti vaiththirukkum | The child of Cupid who possesses |
| Manmathan kutti | A treasure box of rubies. |
| Maanikka petti vaiththirukkum | The child of Cupid who possesses |
| Manmathan kutti | A treasure box of rubies. |
| Female | |
| Hoi theeyai vachcha machchanae | Oh beloved who set a fire inside me, |
| Thaenai ooththi vittaanae | He poured honey over it! |
| Theeyai vachcha machchanae | Oh beloved who set a fire inside me, |
| Thaenai ooththi vittaanae | He poured honey over it! |
| Padhukki vachcha kelvikellaam | For all the questions hidden away, |
| Padhil alikka vanthaanae | He came to deliver the answers. |
| Padhukki vachcha kelvikellaam | For all the questions hidden away, |
| Padhil alikka vanthaanae | He came to deliver the answers. |
| Male | |
| Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai | A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water, |
| Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada | Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation. |
| Female :Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil | Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart, |
| Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga | The pond water itself has turned hot. |
| Male | |
| Katti kolla saelaiyillai | There is no saree to wrap around herself, |
| Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka | So she covers her flower-like body with her hands. |
| Female :Akkam pakkam yaarumillai | Female: There is no one around on either side, |
| Vanthu vidu aadharikka | Come to support and shelter me. |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Chinna kurumbugal seithaanae | He performed playful little mischiefs, |
| Antha saelai sarasangal meithaanae | Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree. |
| Chinna kurumbugal seithaanae | He performed playful little mischiefs, |
| Antha saelai sarasangal meithaanae | Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree. |
| Kattilil Niththam ketpathenna raaththiri saththam | What is that nightly sound heard every day on the bed? |
| Male | |
| Soodu kanda un moochchu | Your warm breath filled with heat, |
| Mela pattu naalaachchu | Has been touching my body for days now. |
| Soodu kanda un moochchu | Your warm breath filled with heat, |
| Mela pattu naalaachchu | Has been touching my body for days now. |
| Paruva Nilam velanjirukku | The land of blooming youth has fully ripened, |
| Aruvadaikku naanaachchu | And I am ready for the harvest. |
| Paruva Nilam velanjirukku | The land of blooming youth has fully ripened, |
| Aruvadaikku naanaachchu | And I am ready for the harvest. |
| Male | |
| Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai | A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water, |
| Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada | Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation. |
| Female :Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil | Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart, |
| Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga | The pond water itself has turned hot. |
| Male | |
| Katti kolla saelaiyillai | There is no saree to wrap around herself, |
| Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka | So she covers her flower-like body with her hands. |
| Female :Akkam pakkam yaarumillai | Female: There is no one around on either side, |
| Vanthu vidu aadharikka | Come to support and shelter me. |
| Chorus | |
| Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa... |
| Aaa….aa….aa….aa…. | Aaa...aa...aa...aa... |
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
தண்ணிக்குள் நிக்குது தாவணி தாமரை
தத்தளித்து உள்ளம் தள்ளாட
கன்னியின் நெஞ்சுக்குள் எண்ணிய எண்ணத்தில்
தண்ணி குளம் அது சூடாக
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
The pond water itself has turned hot.
கட்டிக் கொள்ள சேலையில்லை
கையைக் கொண்டு பூ மறைக்க
அக்கம் பக்கம் யாருமில்லை
வந்து விடு ஆதரிக்க......
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
There is no one around on either side,
Come to support and shelter me.
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
தண்ணிக்குள் நிக்குது தாவணி தாமரை
தத்தளித்து உள்ளம் தள்ளாட
கன்னியின் நெஞ்சுக்குள் எண்ணிய எண்ணத்தில்
தண்ணி குளம் அது சூடாக
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
The pond water itself has turned hot.
ஹோய் கட்டிக் கொள்ள சேலையில்லை
கையைக் கொண்டு பூ மறைக்க
அக்கம் பக்கம் யாருமில்லை
வந்து விடு ஆதரிக்க......
Hoi... there is no saree to wrap around herself,
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
There is no one around on either side,
Come to support and shelter me.
அந்தி பொழுதுக்கு முன்னாலே ஒரு
சேதி சொல்லு உந்தன் கண்ணாலே
அந்தி பொழுதுக்கு முன்னாலே ஒரு
சேதி சொல்லு உந்தன் கண்ணாலே
மாணிக்க பெட்டி வைத்திருக்கும்
மன்மதன் குட்டி
மாணிக்க பெட்டி வைத்திருக்கும்
மன்மதன் குட்டி
Before the evening dusk sets in,
Tell me a message through your eyes.
Before the evening dusk sets in,
Tell me a message through your eyes.
The child of Cupid who possesses
A treasure box of rubies.
The child of Cupid who possesses
A treasure box of rubies.
ஹோய் தீயை வச்ச மச்சானே
தேனை ஊத்தி விட்டானே
தீயை வச்ச மச்சானே
தேனை ஊத்தி விட்டானே
பதுக்கி வச்ச கேள்விக்கெல்லாம்
பதில் அளிக்க வந்தானே...
பதுக்கி வச்ச கேள்விக்கெல்லாம்
பதில் அளிக்க வந்தானே...
Oh beloved who set a fire inside me,
He poured honey over it!
Oh beloved who set a fire inside me,
He poured honey over it!
For all the questions hidden away,
He came to deliver the answers.
For all the questions hidden away,
He came to deliver the answers.
தண்ணிக்குள் நிக்குது தாவணி தாமரை
தத்தளித்து உள்ளம் தள்ளாட
கன்னியின் நெஞ்சுக்குள் எண்ணிய எண்ணத்தில்
தண்ணி குளம் அது சூடாக
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
The pond water itself has turned hot.
கட்டிக் கொள்ள சேலையில்லை
கையைக் கொண்டு பூ மறைக்க
அக்கம் பக்கம் யாருமில்லை
வந்து விடு ஆதரிக்க......
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Female: There is no one around on either side,
Come to support and shelter me.
...............................
...
சின்னக் குறும்புகள் செய்தானே
அந்த சேலை சரசங்கள் மெய்தானே
சின்னக் குறும்புகள் செய்தானே
அந்த சேலை சரசங்கள் மெய்தானே
கட்டிலில் நித்தம் கேட்பதென்ன ராத்திரி சத்தம்
He performed playful little mischiefs,
Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree.
He performed playful little mischiefs,
Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree.
What is that nightly sound heard every day on the bed?
சூடு கண்ட உன் மூச்சு
மேல பட்டு நாளாச்சு
சூடு கண்ட உன் மூச்சு
மேல பட்டு நாளாச்சு
பருவ நிலம் வெளஞ்சிருக்கு
அறுவடைக்கு நானாச்சு......
பருவ நிலம் வெளஞ்சிருக்கு
அறுவடைக்கு நானாச்சு......
Your warm breath filled with heat,
Has been touching my body for days now.
Your warm breath filled with heat,
Has been touching my body for days now.
The land of blooming youth has fully ripened,
And I am ready for the harvest.
The land of blooming youth has fully ripened,
And I am ready for the harvest.
தண்ணிக்குள் நிக்குது தாவணி தாமரை
தத்தளித்து உள்ளம் தள்ளாட
கன்னியின் நெஞ்சுக்குள் எண்ணிய எண்ணத்தில்
தண்ணி குளம் அது சூடாக
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
The pond water itself has turned hot.
கட்டிக் கொள்ள சேலையில்லை
கையைக் கொண்டு பூ மறைக்க
அக்கம் பக்கம் யாருமில்லை
வந்து விடு ஆதரிக்க......
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Female: There is no one around on either side,
Come to support and shelter me.
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil
Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga
The pond water itself has turned hot.
Katti kolla saelaiyillai
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Akkam pakkam yaarumillai
There is no one around on either side,
Vanthu vidu aadharikka
Come to support and shelter me.
Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil
Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga
The pond water itself has turned hot.
Hoi….katti kolla saelaiyillai
Hoi... there is no saree to wrap around herself,
Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Akkam pakkam yaarumillai
There is no one around on either side,
Vanthu vidu aadharikka
Come to support and shelter me.
Anthi pozhuthukku munnaalae oru
Before the evening dusk sets in,
Saedhi sollu unthan kannaalae
Tell me a message through your eyes.
Anthi pozhuthukku munnaalae oru
Before the evening dusk sets in,
Saedhi sollu unthan kannaalae
Tell me a message through your eyes.
Maanikka petti vaiththirukkum
The child of Cupid who possesses
Manmathan kutti
A treasure box of rubies.
Maanikka petti vaiththirukkum
The child of Cupid who possesses
Manmathan kutti
A treasure box of rubies.
Hoi theeyai vachcha machchanae
Oh beloved who set a fire inside me,
Thaenai ooththi vittaanae
He poured honey over it!
Theeyai vachcha machchanae
Oh beloved who set a fire inside me,
Thaenai ooththi vittaanae
He poured honey over it!
Padhukki vachcha kelvikellaam
For all the questions hidden away,
Padhil alikka vanthaanae
He came to deliver the answers.
Padhukki vachcha kelvikellaam
For all the questions hidden away,
Padhil alikka vanthaanae
He came to deliver the answers.
Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Female :Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil
Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga
The pond water itself has turned hot.
Katti kolla saelaiyillai
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Female :Akkam pakkam yaarumillai
Female: There is no one around on either side,
Vanthu vidu aadharikka
Come to support and shelter me.
……………….
...
Chinna kurumbugal seithaanae
He performed playful little mischiefs,
Antha saelai sarasangal meithaanae
Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree.
Chinna kurumbugal seithaanae
He performed playful little mischiefs,
Antha saelai sarasangal meithaanae
Grazing upon romantic desires near the saree.
Kattilil Niththam ketpathenna raaththiri saththam
What is that nightly sound heard every day on the bed?
Soodu kanda un moochchu
Your warm breath filled with heat,
Mela pattu naalaachchu
Has been touching my body for days now.
Soodu kanda un moochchu
Your warm breath filled with heat,
Mela pattu naalaachchu
Has been touching my body for days now.
Paruva Nilam velanjirukku
The land of blooming youth has fully ripened,
Aruvadaikku naanaachchu
And I am ready for the harvest.
Paruva Nilam velanjirukku
The land of blooming youth has fully ripened,
Aruvadaikku naanaachchu
And I am ready for the harvest.
Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai
A lotus wearing a half-saree stands inside the water,
Thaththaliththu ullam thallaada
Her heart faltering and trembling in agitation.
Female :Kanniyin nenjukkul enniya ennaththil
Female: Due to the thoughts cherished in the maiden's heart,
Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga
The pond water itself has turned hot.
Katti kolla saelaiyillai
There is no saree to wrap around herself,
Kaiyai kondu poo maraikka
So she covers her flower-like body with her hands.
Female :Akkam pakkam yaarumillai
Female: There is no one around on either side,
Vanthu vidu aadharikka
Come to support and shelter me.
Aaa……aa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...aa...
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Aaa...aa...aa...aa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song expresses playful intimacy, sensual yearning, and romantic passion between lovers. The heroine describes herself standing in the water as a lotus flower without her garments, feeling the heat of her own passionate thoughts warm the cool pond water. She calls out to her beloved to embrace and shelter her before dusk falls, using rich imagery of nature and longing. In the later verses, the lyrics describe the intimacy shared in secret, comparing her youthful body to a fully ripened field ready for harvest, evoking classic Tamil poetic tropes of love and passion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai”
'Thaavani thaamarai' compares a young woman standing in water to a lotus flower draped in a half-saree.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Thanni kulam adhu soodaaga”
Exaggeration where the heroine's burning passion causes the cool water of the pond to turn hot.
Agricultural Metaphor
“Paruva Nilam velanjirukku Aruvadaikku naanaachchu”
'Paruva Nilam' compares a woman's youthful body to fertile, ripened land ready for harvest ('Aruvadai').
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Thannikul nikkuthu thaavani thaamarai”
Repetition of 'Th' sound at the beginning of words in the line ('Thannikul', 'thaavani', 'thaamarai').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Seerum Singangal' is a 1983 Tamil film featuring lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song uses traditional Tamil erotic imagery (Sringara Rasa) blended with folk melodies common in early 1980s South Indian cinema music.
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