Thathithom
From Azhagan · 1991
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Maragathamani
- Details
- Azhagan1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hmm mm mm mm | Humming sound. |
| Female | |
| Hm mm mm mm mmm | Humming sound. |
| Aa aaa | Vocalizing tune. |
| Haa aa aaa aaa aaa aa | Vocalizing tune. |
| Female | |
| Thaththithom viththaigal katridum | Thaththithom, learning artistic skills, |
| Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom | The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'. |
| Thiththithom thaththaigal sonnadhu | What the parrots said was sweet, |
| Muththamizh endrulam thiththithom | Sweetening our heart like the threefold Tamil language. |
| Sindhiththaal thaalam thaanae varugiradhu | When thought of, rhythm comes automatically. |
| Thaalam oru sugam raagam oru sugam | Rhythm is a joy, melody is a joy, |
| Rendum inaigiradhu | And the two unite together. |
| Female | |
| Thaththithom viththaigal katridum | Thaththithom, learning artistic skills, |
| Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom | The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'. |
| Female | |
| Kannil pesum sangeetha mozhiyadhu | That musical language spoken through the eyes, |
| Kannan ariyavonnaanadha | Is it unknown to Lord Krishna? |
| Unnai thaedum yekkathil iravinil | In the night searching for you in longing, |
| Kannuku imaigal mullaavadha | Do the eyelids turn into thorns to the eyes? |
| Kuzhalinil varaadha raagam yaavum en | Can any melody that does not emanate from the flute, |
| Kuralinil varaadhadha | Fail to emanate from my voice? |
| Endhan manam idhu endhan ninaividhu | This is my heart, this is my memory, |
| Endrae purigiradha | Is it understood as such? |
| Female | |
| Thaththithom vithaigal katridum | Thaththithom, learning artistic skills, |
| Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom | The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'. |
| Female | |
| Vanna thogai ennangal ivaiyena | As these colorful, plumage-like thoughts, |
| Minnum vizhigal sollaadhadha | Do not the glittering eyes express them? |
| Kannan maarbil pon oosal aadida | To swing like a golden swing on Krishna's chest, |
| Ennum ilamai pollaadhadha | Isn't this yearning youth mischievous? |
| Yamunayil varaadha vellam unthanin | Cannot the floods that didn't flow in the Yamuna river, |
| Karunayil varaadhadha | Flow from your grace? |
| Kaadhal oru vidha yaagam | Love is a kind of sacred ritual, |
| En kural kaadhil vizhugiradha | Does my voice reach your ears? |
| Female | |
| Thaththithom vithaigal katridum | Thaththithom, learning artistic skills, |
| Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom | The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'. |
| Female | |
| Sa ri ga ma pa tha pa ma ga ri | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma pa tha pa ma ga ri] |
| Sa ri gasariga sa riga | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga] |
| Sa riga thaththithom | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga thaththithom] |
| Female | |
| Pa ma ga ni ma tha ni ma tha ni | [Carnatic musical notes: Pa ma ga ni ma tha ni ma tha ni] |
| Sa ni tha pa ma ga riga ma pa | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ga ma pa] |
| Pa tha ni sa riga thaththithom | [Carnatic musical notes: Pa tha ni sa ri ga thaththithom] |
| Female | |
| Sa ni sa sa sa sa tha ri ri ma pa tha ni sa ri ga | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni sa sa sa sa tha ri ri ma pa tha ni sa ri ga] |
| Ri ga ma pa tha ni sa ri ga ri ma pa tha ma ri ga ri | [Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa tha ni sa ri ga ri ma pa tha ma ri ga ri] |
| Sa ni tha ri ga ri ri ma tha sa ri ma tha pa | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha ri ga ri ri ma tha sa ri ma tha pa] |
| Female | |
| Sa ni tha pa ma saa ni tha pa ma ga ri | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma saa ni tha pa ma ga ri] |
| Ni tha pa ma ri sa tha pa ma ga ri sa ni | [Carnatic musical notes: Ni tha pa ma ri sa tha pa ma ga ri sa ni] |
| Female | |
| Sa ri ga sa sa ri ga ma tha pa ma ga ri | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa sa ri ga ma tha pa ma ga ri] |
| Ri ga ma ri ri ga ma pa ni tha pa ma ga | [Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa ni tha pa ma ga] |
| Ga ma pa ga ga ma pa tha ma ma pa tha ni pa pa | [Carnatic musical notes: Ga ma pa ga ga ma pa tha ma ma pa tha ni pa pa] |
| Sa ni ga sa ri ga sa ri sa sa ri ga sa | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni ga sa ri ga sa ri sa sa ri ga sa] |
| Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa] |
| Sa ri ga ma paa tha ni sa ri ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri sa | [Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma paa tha ni sa ri ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri sa] |
| Ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ri ri ga ga sa ni tha | [Carnatic musical notes: Ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ri ri ga ga sa ni tha] |
| Female | |
| En kannanae vaa | Come, my Krishna! |
| Un meeravai nee ingu paaraiyo | Won't you look at your Meera here? |
| Kaadhal vedhanai | The agony of love, |
| Adhu enna enbadhu ini engu solvadhu | Where shall I express what it truly is now? |
| I love you…. i love you….. love you….. | I love you... I love you... Love you... |
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
Humming sound.
ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஆ ஆஅ
ஹா ஆ ஆஅ ஆஅ ஆ
Humming sound.
Vocalizing tune.
Vocalizing tune.
தத்தித்தோம்.......வித்தைகள் கற்றிட
தத்தைகள் சொன்னது தத்தித்தோம்...
தித்தித்தோம்......தத்தைகள் சொன்னது
முத்தமிழ் என்றுளம் தித்தித்தோம்...
சிந்தித்தால் தாளம் தானே வருகிறது
தாளம் ஒரு சுகம் ராகம் ஒரு சுகம்
ரெண்டும் இனைகிறது
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
What the parrots said was sweet,
Sweetening our heart like the threefold Tamil language.
When thought of, rhythm comes automatically.
Rhythm is a joy, melody is a joy,
And the two unite together.
தத்தித்தோம்.......வித்தைகள் கற்றிட
தத்தைகள் சொன்னது தத்தித்தோம்...
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
கண்ணில் பேசும் சங்கீத மொழியது
கண்ணன் அறிய ஒன்னானதா
உன்னைத் தேடும் ஏக்கத்தில் இரவினில்
கண்ணுக்கு இமைகள் முள்ளாவதா
குழலினில் வராத ராகம் யாவுமே
குரலினில் வராதாதா!
எந்தன் மனமிது எந்தன் நினைவிது
என்றே புரிகிறதா.....
That musical language spoken through the eyes,
Is it unknown to Lord Krishna?
In the night searching for you in longing,
Do the eyelids turn into thorns to the eyes?
Can any melody that does not emanate from the flute,
Fail to emanate from my voice?
This is my heart, this is my memory,
Is it understood as such?
தத்தித்தோம்.......வித்தைகள் கற்றிட
தத்தைகள் சொன்னது தத்தித்தோம்...
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
வண்ணத் தோகை எண்ணங்களிவையென
மின்னும் விழிகள் சொல்லாததா
கண்ணன் மார்பில் பொன்னூசலாடிட
எண்ணும் இளமை பொல்லாததா
யமுனையில் வராத வெள்ளமுந்தனின்
கருணையில் வராததா
காதலொருவித யாகம்
என் குரல் காதில் விழுகிறதா...
As these colorful, plumage-like thoughts,
Do not the glittering eyes express them?
To swing like a golden swing on Krishna's chest,
Isn't this yearning youth mischievous?
Cannot the floods that didn't flow in the Yamuna river,
Flow from your grace?
Love is a kind of sacred ritual,
Does my voice reach your ears?
தத்தித்தோம்.......வித்தைகள் கற்றிட
தத்தைகள் சொன்னது தத்தித்தோம்...
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
ச ரி க ம ப தா ப ம க ரி
ச ரி கசரிக ச ரி க
ச ரிக தத்தித்தோம்...
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma pa tha pa ma ga ri]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga thaththithom]
................................
[Carnatic musical notes: Pa ma ga ni ma tha ni ma tha ni]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ga ma pa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Pa tha ni sa ri ga thaththithom]
என் கண்ணனே வா
உன் மீராவை நீ இங்கு பாராயோ
காதல் வேதனை அது என்னனென்பது
இனி எங்கு சொல்வது........
ஐ லவ் யூ.....ஐ லவ் யூ.....ஐ லவ் யூ.....
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni sa sa sa sa tha ri ri ma pa tha ni sa ri ga]
[Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa tha ni sa ri ga ri ma pa tha ma ri ga ri]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha ri ga ri ri ma tha sa ri ma tha pa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma saa ni tha pa ma ga ri]
[Carnatic musical notes: Ni tha pa ma ri sa tha pa ma ga ri sa ni]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa sa ri ga ma tha pa ma ga ri]
[Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa ni tha pa ma ga]
[Carnatic musical notes: Ga ma pa ga ga ma pa tha ma ma pa tha ni pa pa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni ga sa ri ga sa ri sa sa ri ga sa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma paa tha ni sa ri ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri sa]
[Carnatic musical notes: Ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ri ri ga ga sa ni tha]
Come, my Krishna!
Won't you look at your Meera here?
The agony of love,
Where shall I express what it truly is now?
I love you... I love you... Love you...
Hmm mm mm mm
Humming sound.
Hm mm mm mm mmm
Humming sound.
Aa aaa
Vocalizing tune.
Haa aa aaa aaa aaa aa
Vocalizing tune.
Thaththithom viththaigal katridum
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
Thiththithom thaththaigal sonnadhu
What the parrots said was sweet,
Muththamizh endrulam thiththithom
Sweetening our heart like the threefold Tamil language.
Sindhiththaal thaalam thaanae varugiradhu
When thought of, rhythm comes automatically.
Thaalam oru sugam raagam oru sugam
Rhythm is a joy, melody is a joy,
Rendum inaigiradhu
And the two unite together.
Thaththithom viththaigal katridum
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
Kannil pesum sangeetha mozhiyadhu
That musical language spoken through the eyes,
Kannan ariyavonnaanadha
Is it unknown to Lord Krishna?
Unnai thaedum yekkathil iravinil
In the night searching for you in longing,
Kannuku imaigal mullaavadha
Do the eyelids turn into thorns to the eyes?
Kuzhalinil varaadha raagam yaavum en
Can any melody that does not emanate from the flute,
Kuralinil varaadhadha
Fail to emanate from my voice?
Endhan manam idhu endhan ninaividhu
This is my heart, this is my memory,
Endrae purigiradha
Is it understood as such?
Thaththithom vithaigal katridum
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
Vanna thogai ennangal ivaiyena
As these colorful, plumage-like thoughts,
Minnum vizhigal sollaadhadha
Do not the glittering eyes express them?
Kannan maarbil pon oosal aadida
To swing like a golden swing on Krishna's chest,
Ennum ilamai pollaadhadha
Isn't this yearning youth mischievous?
Yamunayil varaadha vellam unthanin
Cannot the floods that didn't flow in the Yamuna river,
Karunayil varaadhadha
Flow from your grace?
Kaadhal oru vidha yaagam
Love is a kind of sacred ritual,
En kural kaadhil vizhugiradha
Does my voice reach your ears?
Thaththithom vithaigal katridum
Thaththithom, learning artistic skills,
Thaththaigal sonnadhu thaththithom
The parrots spoke 'Thaththithom'.
Sa ri ga ma pa tha pa ma ga ri
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma pa tha pa ma ga ri]
Sa ri gasariga sa riga
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga]
Sa riga thaththithom
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga thaththithom]
Pa ma ga ni ma tha ni ma tha ni
[Carnatic musical notes: Pa ma ga ni ma tha ni ma tha ni]
Sa ni tha pa ma ga riga ma pa
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ga ma pa]
Pa tha ni sa riga thaththithom
[Carnatic musical notes: Pa tha ni sa ri ga thaththithom]
Sa ni sa sa sa sa tha ri ri ma pa tha ni sa ri ga
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni sa sa sa sa tha ri ri ma pa tha ni sa ri ga]
Ri ga ma pa tha ni sa ri ga ri ma pa tha ma ri ga ri
[Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa tha ni sa ri ga ri ma pa tha ma ri ga ri]
Sa ni tha ri ga ri ri ma tha sa ri ma tha pa
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha ri ga ri ri ma tha sa ri ma tha pa]
Sa ni tha pa ma saa ni tha pa ma ga ri
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni tha pa ma saa ni tha pa ma ga ri]
Ni tha pa ma ri sa tha pa ma ga ri sa ni
[Carnatic musical notes: Ni tha pa ma ri sa tha pa ma ga ri sa ni]
Sa ri ga sa sa ri ga ma tha pa ma ga ri
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa sa ri ga ma tha pa ma ga ri]
Ri ga ma ri ri ga ma pa ni tha pa ma ga
[Carnatic musical notes: Ri ga ma pa ni tha pa ma ga]
Ga ma pa ga ga ma pa tha ma ma pa tha ni pa pa
[Carnatic musical notes: Ga ma pa ga ga ma pa tha ma ma pa tha ni pa pa]
Sa ni ga sa ri ga sa ri sa sa ri ga sa
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ni ga sa ri ga sa ri sa sa ri ga sa]
Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa ri ga sa]
Sa ri ga ma paa tha ni sa ri ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri sa
[Carnatic musical notes: Sa ri ga ma paa tha ni sa ri ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri sa]
Ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ri ri ga ga sa ni tha
[Carnatic musical notes: Ga ri sa ni tha pa ma ga ri ri ri ga ga sa ni tha]
En kannanae vaa
Come, my Krishna!
Un meeravai nee ingu paaraiyo
Won't you look at your Meera here?
Kaadhal vedhanai
The agony of love,
Adhu enna enbadhu ini engu solvadhu
Where shall I express what it truly is now?
I love you…. i love you….. love you…..
I love you... I love you... Love you...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thaththithom is a classical and romantic song from the 1991 Tamil movie Azhagan. The heroine expresses her deep, artistic love for her beloved, addressing him as Kannan (Krishna) and comparing her own longing to that of Saint Meera. Through intricate musical expressions, she describes how melody, rhythm, and love merge together, comparing love to a sacred sacrifice and sweet Mutthamizh. The composition masterfully seamlessly blends poetic Tamil lyrics with extended Carnatic swara passages (solfa syllables), capturing both the ecstasy and agony of romantic devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thaththithom / Thaththaigal / Thiththithom / Muththamizh”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'th' across consecutive lines for rhythmic harmony.
Metaphor
“Kaadhal oru vidha yaagam”
Comparing love to a sacred fire ritual (yaagam) and sweet Tamil language (Muththamizh).
Allusion
“Un meeravai nee ingu paaraiyo”
Referencing mythological figures Kannan (Krishna) and Meera to elevate romantic longing to divine devotion.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by Maragathamani (M. M. Keeravani) for director K. Balachander's film Azhagan. Sung brilliantly by K. S. Chithra, the song stands out for its extensive swara kalpana (improvisational solfa pattern rendering) integrated into modern film music.
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