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Ratha Thilagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thazhampoove

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Ratha Thilagam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
20 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavae
Thalai yen kunigirathu
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavae
Thalai yen kunigirathu
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalae
Kaniyaai kanigirathu
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalae
Kaniyaai kanigirathu
Paadal suvaiyae panivaai malarae
Bayamaen varugirathu
Paadal suvaiyae panivaai malarae
Bayamaen varugirathu
Ilam paruvathin aasai uruvathil yeri
Bayam pol therigirathu
Ilam paruvathin aasai uruvathil yeri
Bayam pol therigirathu
Yelam kuzhalaai ilagiya nenjam
Edhaiyoo nenaikiradhu
Yelam kuzhalaai ilagiya nenjam
Edhaiyoo nenaikiradhu
Adhu naalum pazhagum
Naalaiya poluthai
Ninaithae parakkirathu..
Adhu naalum pazhagum naalaiya poluthai
Ninaithae parakkirathu..
Poorana nilavin thoranam yeno
Punnagai purigirathu
Female :Adhil kaaranam paadhi kaariyam paadhi
Kadhaiyaai varugirathu
Adhil kaaranam paadhi kaariyam paadhi
Kadhaiyaai varugirathu
Ilamai thirandu thanimai nirainthu
Idhayam malargirathu
Female :Adhil uyirgal irandum pazhagiya pinnae
Uravum purigiradhu
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavae
Thalai yen kunigirathu
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalae
Kaniyaai kanigirathu
O fragrant screwpine flower, golden moon,
Why is your head bowed down?
O fragrant screwpine flower, golden moon,
Why is your head bowed down?
Struck by the arrows shot by Kama (the god of love),
It ripens softly like a fruit.
Struck by the arrows shot by Kama (the god of love),
It ripens softly like a fruit.
O sweetness of song, O dewy-lipped blossom,
Why does fear come over you?
O sweetness of song, O dewy-lipped blossom,
Why does fear come over you?
The desires of youth have taken shape,
And only appear like fear.
The desires of youth have taken shape,
And only appear like fear.
O girl with cardamom-scented hair, your tender heart
Is dreaming of something.
O girl with cardamom-scented hair, your tender heart
Is dreaming of something.
Thinking of the time
We will spend together tomorrow,
It takes flight in thought...
Thinking of the time we will spend together tomorrow,
It takes flight in thought...
Why does the full moon, like a festive arch,
Smile down on us?
Female: Half is the reason and half is the action,
Unfolding like a story.
Half is the reason and half is the action,
Unfolding like a story.
With youth brimming and solitude all around,
The heart blossoms.
Female: Once the two souls grow close,
Their bond is understood.
O fragrant screwpine flower, golden moon,
Why is your head bowed down?
Struck by the arrows shot by Kama (the god of love),
It ripens softly like a fruit.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet from the film 'Ratha Thilagam' captures a poetic dialogue between two lovers expressing their blossoming intimacy, shy hesitation, and deep affection. The male protagonist compares his beloved to delicate elements of nature such as the screw-pine flower (Thaazham poo) and the golden moon, teasing her shy, downward gaze. In response, she explains that her bashfulness is not fear, but the natural ripening of youthful desire stirred by love's arrows. As they exchange philosophical thoughts on love, youth, solitude, and destiny, they acknowledge how their hearts are fluttering in anticipation of a shared future. The song beautifully blends romantic passion with classic Tamil poetic metaphors of nature and emotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

“Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavae”

Comparing the beloved to a fragrant 'Thaazham poo' (screw-pine flower) and 'Thanga nila' (golden moon) to highlight her beauty and shyness.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalae”

Comparing the desire of youth riding a physical form to love-arrows shot by Kaaman (Cupid/Manmatha).

Ethirukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ilamai thirandu thanimai nirainthu / Idhayam malargirathu”

Rhyming of the second letter 'la' in 'Ilamai' and 'Idhayam'.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Adhil kaaranam paadhi kaariyam paadhi / Kadhaiyaai varugirathu”

Repetition of lines to emphasize emotional depth and sweet poetic melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ratha Thilagam' (1963) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics authored by Kannadasan. This classic track was sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, serving as a standout romantic melody famed for Kannadasan's evocative use of Tamil poetic imagery.

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