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Lyrics & meaning

Thattan Kidaikaiyiliyo

From Alli Thandha Vaanam · 2001

Lyricist
Arivumathi
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Alli Thandha Vaanam2001

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thattaan kedaikkalayoCould you not find a goldsmith?
Thangamthaan urukalaiyoCould the gold not be melted?
Kattithangam vachchirukkumDid the shopkeeper who holds solid gold
Kadakkaaran therakkalaiyoFail to open his shop?
Female
Theruvoda pogurappoWhen walking down the street,
Thirumpaama neeyum ponaaIf you pass by without turning back to look at me,
Theruvoda pogurappoWhen walking down the street,
Thirumpaama neeyum ponaaIf you pass by without turning back to look at me,
Female
Oru maasam azhuthiruppaenI would have wept for a full month,
Oru maasam azhuthiruppaenI would have wept for a full month,
Usirodu seththiruppaenI would have died while still alive.
Female
Oru maasam azhuthiruppaenI would have wept for a full month,
Usirodu seththiruppaenI would have died while still alive.
Female
Machaan unga nenappuOh my beloved, thoughts of you,
Nenjil kotti vachcha neruppuAre like fire poured into my heart.
Machaan unga nenappuOh my beloved, thoughts of you,
Nenjil kotti vachcha neruppu…Are like fire poured into my heart...
Female
Eththanaiyo kolamirukkuThere are so many ponds,
Idi vizhuntha kenarirukkuThere is a lightning-struck well,
Eththanaiyo kolamirukkuThere are so many ponds,
Idi vizhuntha kenarirukkuThere is a lightning-struck well,
Maththavanga parisam ittaaIf anyone else offers me bridal gifts,
Mannukkullae edamirukkuThere is space for me under the earth.
Female
Vandiyilae varisai varumThe dowry gifts will arrive on a cart,
Varichangu munthi varumBut the funeral conch sound will arrive ahead of it.
Vandiyilae varisai varumThe dowry gifts will arrive on a cart,
Varichangu munthi varumBut the funeral conch sound will arrive ahead of it.
Male
Valavi kazhandodiMy bangles will slip off and run,
Vaasalilae kadhari azhumWailing aloud at the doorstep.
Valavi kazhandodiMy bangles will slip off and run,
Vaasalilae kadhari azhum…oo…oo…ooWailing aloud at the doorstep... oo... oo... oo...
Female
Machaan unga nenappuOh my beloved, thoughts of you,
Nenjil kotti vachcha neruppuAre like fire poured into my heart.
Machaan unga nenappuOh my beloved, thoughts of you,
Nenjil kotti vachcha neruppu…Are like fire poured into my heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant folk song expresses the intense emotional agony and unconditional devotion of a woman longing for her beloved. She begins by metaphorically questioning why their wedding preparations are delayed, asking if goldsmiths or jewelry shops were unavailable to craft her wedding gold. She laments that if her beloved ignores her and walks past without looking, she will cry for months and feel dead inside, as thoughts of him burn in her chest like hot embers. She firmly declares that if her family tries to force her to marry anyone else, she would rather take her own life. She chillingly contrasts wedding rituals with death: before marriage gifts arrive on a bullock cart, the funeral conch shell will sound for her, and her broken bangles will metaphorically weep at her doorstep. The track encapsulates deep emotional sorrow through rich rural Tamil imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjil kotti vachcha neruppu

Compares memories/thoughts of her beloved directly to burning embers poured into her heart.

Personification

Valavi kazhandodi / Vaasalilae kadhari azhum

Attributes human actions of slipping away and weeping loudly to inert glass bangles.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Oru maasam azhuthiruppaen / Usirodu seththiruppaen

Exaggerates grief by stating she would weep continuously for a month and live as a corpse.

Etukai (Monai / Rhyme & Alliteration)

Vandiyilae varisai varum / Varichangu munthi varum

Use of matching initial consonants ('Va') creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar for the film 'Alli Thandha Vaanam' (2001), this track features expressive lyrics by poet Arivumathi. Sung by Swarnalatha, the song stands out for its haunting folk melody and emotionally raw vocals that convey tragic rustic love.

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