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Lyrics & meaning

Thazhampoove

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ratha Thilagam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavaeOh screw-pine flower, oh golden moon!
Thalai yen kunigirathuWhy is your head bowed down?
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavaeOh screw-pine flower, oh golden moon!
Thalai yen kunigirathuWhy is your head bowed down?
Female
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalaeDue to the love-arrows shot by Manmatha,
Kaniyaai kanigirathuIt ripens softly like a sweet fruit.
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalaeDue to the love-arrows shot by Manmatha,
Kaniyaai kanigirathuIt ripens softly like a sweet fruit.
Male
Paadal suvaiyae panivaai malaraeOh taste of song, oh soft gentle flower!
Bayamaen varugirathuWhy does fear overcome you?
Paadal suvaiyae panivaai malaraeOh taste of song, oh soft gentle flower!
Bayamaen varugirathuWhy does fear overcome you?
Female
Ilam paruvathin aasai uruvathil yeriRiding upon the form of youthful desire,
Bayam pol therigirathuIt merely appears as fear.
Ilam paruvathin aasai uruvathil yeriRiding upon the form of youthful desire,
Bayam pol therigirathuIt merely appears as fear.
Male
Yelam kuzhalaai ilagiya nenjamLike a fragrant tress, the softened heart
Edhaiyoo nenaikiradhuIs pondering something deep.
Yelam kuzhalaai ilagiya nenjamLike a fragrant tress, the softened heart
Edhaiyoo nenaikiradhuIs pondering something deep.
Female
Adhu naalum pazhagumThat which becomes familiar every day,
Naalaiya poluthaiOf the upcoming tomorrow,
Ninaithae parakkirathu..It flies in joy thinking about it..
Adhu naalum pazhagum naalaiya poluthaiThinking of the upcoming tomorrow that grows familiar every day,
Ninaithae parakkirathu..It flies in joy thinking about it..
Male
Poorana nilavin thoranam yenoWhy does the decoration of the full moon
Punnagai purigirathuBestow a gentle smile?
Female :Adhil kaaranam paadhi kaariyam paadhiFemale: In that, half is cause and half is effect,
Kadhaiyaai varugirathuUnfolding as a story.
Adhil kaaranam paadhi kaariyam paadhiIn that, half is cause and half is effect,
Kadhaiyaai varugirathuUnfolding as a story.
Male
Ilamai thirandu thanimai nirainthuYouth assembling and solitude filling up,
Idhayam malargirathuThe heart blossoms in love.
Female :Adhil uyirgal irandum pazhagiya pinnaeFemale: After those two souls become intimate,
Uravum purigiradhuThe divine bond is understood.
Male
Thaazham poovae thanga nilaavaeOh screw-pine flower, oh golden moon!
Thalai yen kunigirathuWhy is your head bowed down?
Female
Adhu kaaman thodutha kanaigalinaalaeDue to the love-arrows shot by Manmatha,
Kaniyaai kanigirathuIt ripens softly like a sweet fruit.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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