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Lyrics & meaning

Thannilavu Theniraikka

From Padithal Mattum Podhuma · 1962

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Padithal Mattum Podhuma1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmmm…ohooo…aahaa…aaa….Humming...
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Kanni magalThe young maiden
Nadai payindrae sendraalWalked gracefully with measured steps,
Ilam kaadhalanai kanduAnd upon seeing her young lover,
Naani nindraalShe stood there blushing,
Naani nindraal…She stood there blushing...
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Kanni magalThe young maiden
Nadai payindrae sendraalWalked gracefully with measured steps,
Ilam kaadhalanai kanduAnd upon seeing her young lover,
Naani nindraalShe stood there blushing,
Female
Nenjam adhil alai ezhumbaAs waves of emotion rose within her heart,
Thanjamalar adi kalangaAnd her lotus-like tender feet faltered,
Nenjam adhil alai ezhumbaAs waves of emotion rose within her heart,
Thanjamalar adi kalangaAnd her lotus-like tender feet faltered,
Female
Anji anji idai thuvalaWith her slender waist swaying timidly,
VandhaalShe arrived,
Angu anbarullam thanaiAnd thinking of her beloved's tender heart,
Ninaindhu nindraalShe stood reminiscing,
Ninaindhu nindraalShe stood reminiscing,
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Kanni magalThe young maiden
Nadai payindrae sendraalWalked gracefully with measured steps,
Ilam kaadhalanai kanduAnd upon seeing her young lover,
Naani nindraalShe stood there blushing,
Female
Minnalandha manam irukkaWith a heart flashing like quick lightning,
Mannalandha adi edukkaTaking steps measuring the earth softly,
Minnalandha manam irukkaWith a heart flashing like quick lightning,
Mannalandha adi edukkaTaking steps measuring the earth softly,
Female
Ponnalandha udalHer golden-complexioned body
Nadunga vandhaalTrembling as she drew near,
Oru poovalandhaBeholding his flower-bloomed
Mugaththai kandu nindraalFace, she stood mesmerized,
Kandu nindraalShe stood mesmerized,
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Kanni magalThe young maiden
Nadai payindrae sendraalWalked gracefully with measured steps,
Ilam kaadhalanai kanduAnd upon seeing her young lover,
Naani nindraalShe stood there blushing,
Female
Ahaaa…aa….ahaaa…aaa…Vocalizing melodiously...
Ohooo…ooo…ohoooo…oooo…Vocalizing melodiously...
Female
Pottiurkka poovirukkaAdorned with a pottu and delicate flowers,
Pooththa malar manamirukkaFragrant like a flower in full bloom,
Pottiurkka poovirukkaAdorned with a pottu and delicate flowers,
Pooththa malar manamirukkaFragrant like a flower in full bloom,
Female
kattilukku miga nerungiDrawing very close to the couch,
VandhaalShe arrived,
Iru kan vizhiyilIn his pair of expressive eyes,
Kavidhai kandu nindraalShe stood seeing poetry,
Kandu nindraalShe stood seeing it,
Female
Thannilavu thaeniraikkaAs the cool moon pours down honeyed light,
Thaalai maram neer thelikkaAs the screw-pine trees sprinkle dew drops,
Kanni magalThe young maiden
Nadai payindrae sendraalWalked gracefully with measured steps,
Ilam kaadhalanai kanduAnd upon seeing her young lover,
Naani nindraalShe stood there blushing,
Naani nindraal…..She stood there blushing...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic Tamil song paints a poetic night scene describing a young bride's bashful journey to meet her beloved on their wedding night. Set against a serene backdrop where the cool moonlight fills the night like honey and dew drops fall gently from fragrant trees, the maiden approaches her lover with hesitation, love, and sweet anxiety. Her heart surges with waves of affection as her lotus feet tread softly upon the ground. As she nears the bridal couch adorned with flowers, her golden frame shivers with shy excitement, and she discovers deep poetry reflected within the eyes of her lover.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thannilavu thaeniraikka

Compares moonlight pouring down soft light to flowing honey ('thaeniraikka').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thannilavu thaeniraikka / Thaalai maram neer thelikka

Matching second consonant 'n' across successive lines ('Thannilavu' / 'Thaalai').

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Thanjamalar adi kalanga

Compares feet to delicate lotus flowers faltering under emotional surge ('Thanjamalar adi').

Simile / Hyperbole

Minnalandha manam irukka

Compares her swift, sparkling heart to lightning ('Minnalandha manam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Padithal Mattum Podhuma' (1962), starring Sivaji Ganesan and M. R. Radha, features music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with playback singing provided by P. Susheela and lyric composition by Mayavanathan.

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