Theendai Mei Theendai
From En Swasa Kaatre · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- En Swasa Kaatre1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kandrum unnaadhu | Without even being drunk by the calf, |
| Kalaththinum padaadhu | Without even reaching the milking vessel, |
| Nallaan theembaal | Like the sweet milk of a good cow, |
| Nilaththu ukkaanghu | Spilling onto the bare ground, |
| Enakkum aagaadhu | It is of no use to me, |
| En aikkum udhavaadhu | Nor does it help my beloved, |
| Pasalai uneeiyar vendum | Should my sallow complexion of yearning consume me? |
| Thivvalai algul en maamai kavinae | Oh dusky beauty with rain-dappled hips... |
| Female | |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Female | |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae | A single finger came and touched me, |
| En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae | It played a veena along my nerves. |
| Manam avandhaanaa | Did my heart startle in realization, |
| Ivan endru thidukkittadhae | Asking if it is really him? |
| Male | |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Oru viral vandhu unnai theendiyadho | Did a finger come and touch you? |
| Un narambodu veenai meettiyadho | Did it play a veena along your nerves? |
| Un uyirkkullae | Deep inside your soul, |
| Kaadhal ambai thoduththittadho…ooo | Did it strike an arrow of love? |
| Chorus | |
| Vaanil pirandha amudhandro | Is it not nectar born in the sky? |
| Paavai vilaindha mazhai andro | Is it not rain harvested for this maiden? |
| Mullai vagulam kurukkaththi | Jasmine, vakulam, and kurukkathi flowers, |
| Thollaiyin idaintha udal andro | Is this body not entwined in sweet trouble? |
| Theendai mei theendai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyodum theendal undu | There is a touch through the eyes, |
| Viralodum theendal undu | There is a touch through the fingers, |
| Irandodum bedham ulladhu | There is a difference between the two. |
| Male | |
| Vizhiththeendal uyir killum | The glance-touch nips the soul, |
| Viral theendal ullam killum | The finger-touch nips the heart. |
| Adhudhaanae nee solvadhu | Is that not what you say? |
| Female | |
| Nadhi ora poovin melae | Upon a flower by the riverbank, |
| Jadhipaadum saaral polae | Like a rhythmic drizzling shower, |
| Ennil inba thunbham | Does it create sweet pain, |
| Seiguvadhoo | Deep within me? |
| Male | |
| Oru kannam thandhen munnae | I offered one cheek in front of you, |
| Maru kannam thandhaai pennae | You gave your other cheek, my girl, |
| Yesunaadhar kaatru vandhu | Did a breeze like Lord Jesus, |
| Veesiyadhoo | Blow over us? |
| Female | |
| Uravin uyirae uyirae | Oh soul of our intimacy, |
| Ennai pennaai cheiga | Make me a complete woman! |
| Male :Azhagae azhagae | Male: Oh beauty, oh beauty! |
| Un aasai velga… aa… aa | May your desires win! |
| Female | |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae | A single finger came and touched me, |
| En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae | It played a veena along my nerves. |
| Manam avandhaanaa | Did my heart startle in realization, |
| Ivan endru thidukkittadhae | Asking if it is really him? |
| Male | |
| Kadalodu muththam thandhum | Like the ocean kissing the shore, |
| Kalaiyaadha vaanam pola | While the sky remains clear and unparted, |
| Udalodu ottikkollavoo | Should I cling onto your body? |
| Female | |
| Udalodu angum ingum | Everywhere within the body, |
| Uraigindra jeevan pola | Like the living soul residing inside, |
| Unnodu kattikkollavoo | Should I embrace you? |
| Male | |
| Unai thaedi mannil vandhen | I came to earth searching for you, |
| Enai thedi neeyum vandhaai | You came searching for me, |
| Unnai naanum ennai neeyum | You and I, each other, |
| Kandukondoam | We have found! |
| Female | |
| Pala pergal kaadhal seidhu | When many people love, |
| Pazhangaadhal theerumbodhu | And ancient love fades away, |
| Bhooi vaazha pudhiya kaadhal | For the world to thrive, |
| Kondu vandhom | We brought a brand new love! |
| Male | |
| Paniyo paniyin thuliyo | Is it mist or a droplet of dew, |
| Un idhazhmel yenna | Upon your lips? |
| Female :Paniyo thaeno | Female: Is it mist or honey? |
| Nee suvaiththaal yenna.. aa… aa.. | Why not taste it yourself? |
| Male | |
| Theendaaii | Touch! |
| Female :Theendaaii | Female: Touch! |
| Male :Mei theendaai | Male: Physically touch me! |
| Female :Mei theendaai | Female: Physically touch me! |
| Male | |
| Thaandaai | Cross over! |
| Female :Thaandaai | Female: Cross over! |
| Male :Padi thaandaai | Male: Step over the threshold! |
| Female :Padi thaandaai | Female: Step over the threshold! |
| Male | |
| Oru viral vandhu unnai theendiyadho | Did a finger come and touch you? |
| Female :Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae | Female: A finger came and touched me. |
| Male :Un narambodu veenai meettiyadho | Male: Did it play a veena along your nerves? |
| Female :En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae | Female: It played a veena along my nerves. |
| Male :Un uyirkkullae | Male: Inside your soul, |
| Female :Manam avandhaanaa | Female: My heart asked if it was him, |
| Male :Kaadhal ambai thoduththittadho…ooo | Male: Did it shoot an arrow of love? |
| Female :Ivan endru thidukkittadhae…. | Female: Surprised that it was really him... |
| Female | |
| Theendaai mei theendaai | Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Chorus :Vaanil pirandha amudhandro | Chorus: Isn't it divine nectar born in the sky? |
| Female :Theendaai mei theendaai | Female: Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Chorus :Paavai vilaindha mazhai andro | Chorus: Isn't it rain ripened for the maiden? |
| Female :Theendaai mei theendaai | Female: Touch me, physically touch me, |
| Thaandaai padi thaandaai | Cross over, step over the threshold. |
| Padi thaandaai…padi thaandaai.. | Step over the threshold... step over... |
| Padi thaandaai…padi thaandaai… | Step over the threshold... step over... |
கன்றும்
உண்ணாது கலத்தினும்
படாது நல்லான் தீம்பால்
நிலத்து உக்காங்கு எனக்கும்
ஆகாது என் ஐக்கும் உதவாது
பசலை உணீஇயர் வேண்டும்
திவ்வலை அல்குல் என்
மாமைக் கவினே
Without even being drunk by the calf,
Without even reaching the milking vessel,
Like the sweet milk of a good cow,
Spilling onto the bare ground,
It is of no use to me,
Nor does it help my beloved,
Should my sallow complexion of yearning consume me?
Oh dusky beauty with rain-dappled hips...
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய் தீண்டாய்
மெய் தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய் தீண்டாய்
மெய் தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய்
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய் ஒரு விரல் வந்து
என்னைத் தீண்டியதே என்
நரம்போடு வீணை மீட்டியதே
மனம் அவன்தானா இவன்
என்று திடுக்கிட்டதே
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
A single finger came and touched me,
It played a veena along my nerves.
Did my heart startle in realization,
Asking if it is really him?
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய் ஒரு விரல்
வந்து உன்னைத் தீண்டியதோ
உன் நரம்போடு வீணை
மீட்டியதோ உன் உயிர்க்குள்ளே
காதல் அம்பைத் தொடுத்திட்டதோ
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Did a finger come and touch you?
Did it play a veena along your nerves?
Deep inside your soul,
Did it strike an arrow of love?
வானில் பிறந்த
அமுதன்றோ பாவை
விளைந்த மழை அன்றோ
முல்லை வகுலம் குருக்கத்தி
தொல்லையின் இடைந்த உடல்
அன்றோ தீண்டாய் மெய் தீண்டாய்
Is it not nectar born in the sky?
Is it not rain harvested for this maiden?
Jasmine, vakulam, and kurukkathi flowers,
Is this body not entwined in sweet trouble?
Touch me, physically touch me,
விழியோடும்
தீண்டல் உண்டு
விரலோடும் தீண்டல்
உண்டு இரண்டோடும்
பேதம் உள்ளது
There is a touch through the eyes,
There is a touch through the fingers,
There is a difference between the two.
விழித்தீண்டல்
உயிர் கிள்ளும் விரல்
தீண்டல் உள்ளம் கிள்ளும்
அதுதானே நீ சொல்வது
The glance-touch nips the soul,
The finger-touch nips the heart.
Is that not what you say?
நதியோரப்
பூவின்மேலே ஜதி
பாடும் சாரல் போலே
என்னில் இன்ப துன்பம்
செய்குவதோ
Upon a flower by the riverbank,
Like a rhythmic drizzling shower,
Does it create sweet pain,
Deep within me?
ஒரு கன்னம்
தந்தேன் முன்னே மறு
கன்னம் தந்தாய் பெண்ணே
ஏசுநாதர் காற்று வந்து
வீசியதோ
I offered one cheek in front of you,
You gave your other cheek, my girl,
Did a breeze like Lord Jesus,
Blow over us?
உறவின்
உயிரே உயிரே
என்னைப் பெண்ணாய்ச்
செய்க
அழகே அழகே
உன் ஆசை வெல்க
Oh soul of our intimacy,
Make me a complete woman!
Male: Oh beauty, oh beauty!
May your desires win!
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய் ஒரு விரல் வந்து
என்னைத் தீண்டியதே என்
நரம்போடு வீணை மீட்டியதே
மனம் அவன்தானா இவன்
என்று திடுக்கிட்டதே
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
A single finger came and touched me,
It played a veena along my nerves.
Did my heart startle in realization,
Asking if it is really him?
கடலோடு முத்தம்
தந்தும் கலையாத வானம்
போல உடலோடு
ஒட்டிக்கொள்ளவோ
Like the ocean kissing the shore,
While the sky remains clear and unparted,
Should I cling onto your body?
உடலோடு
அங்கும் இங்கும்
உறைகின்ற ஜீவன்
போல உன்னோடு
கட்டிக்கொள்ளவோ
Everywhere within the body,
Like the living soul residing inside,
Should I embrace you?
உனைத் தேடி
மண்ணில் வந்தேன்
எனைத்தேடி நீயும்
வந்தாய் உன்னை நானும்
என்னை நீயும் கண்டு
கொண்டோம்
I came to earth searching for you,
You came searching for me,
You and I, each other,
We have found!
பல பேர்கள்
காதல் செய்து பழங்காதல்
தீரும்போது பூமி வாழப் புதிய
காதல் கொண்டுவந்தோம்
When many people love,
And ancient love fades away,
For the world to thrive,
We brought a brand new love!
பனியோ
பனியின் துளியோ
உன் இதழ்மேல் என்ன
பனியோ தேனோ
நீ சுவைத்தால் என்ன
Is it mist or a droplet of dew,
Upon your lips?
Female: Is it mist or honey?
Why not taste it yourself?
தீண்டாய்
தீண்டாய்
மெய் தீண்டாய்
மெய் தீண்டாய்
Touch!
Female: Touch!
Male: Physically touch me!
Female: Physically touch me!
தாண்டாய்
தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய்
Cross over!
Female: Cross over!
Male: Step over the threshold!
Female: Step over the threshold!
ஒரு விரல்
வந்து உன்னைத்
தீண்டியதோ
ஒரு விரல்
வந்து என்னைத்
தீண்டியதே
உன் நரம்போடு
வீணை மீட்டியதோ
என் நரம்போடு
வீணை மீட்டியதே
உன் உயிர்க்குள்ளே
மனம் அவன்தானா
காதல் அம்பைத்
தொடுத்திட்டதோ
இவன்
என்று திடுக்கிட்டதே
Did a finger come and touch you?
Female: A finger came and touched me.
Male: Did it play a veena along your nerves?
Female: It played a veena along my nerves.
Male: Inside your soul,
Female: My heart asked if it was him,
Male: Did it shoot an arrow of love?
Female: Surprised that it was really him...
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய்
குழு :
வானில் பிறந்த
அமுதன்றோ
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய்
குழு :
பாவை விளைந்த
மழை அன்றோ
தீண்டாய் மெய்
தீண்டாய் தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய் படி தாண்டாய்
படி தாண்டாய் படி
தாண்டாய் படி தாண்டாய்
Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Chorus: Isn't it divine nectar born in the sky?
Female: Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Chorus: Isn't it rain ripened for the maiden?
Female: Touch me, physically touch me,
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Step over the threshold... step over...
Step over the threshold... step over...
Kandrum unnaadhu
Without even being drunk by the calf,
Kalaththinum padaadhu
Without even reaching the milking vessel,
Nallaan theembaal
Like the sweet milk of a good cow,
Nilaththu ukkaanghu
Spilling onto the bare ground,
Enakkum aagaadhu
It is of no use to me,
En aikkum udhavaadhu
Nor does it help my beloved,
Pasalai uneeiyar vendum
Should my sallow complexion of yearning consume me?
Thivvalai algul en maamai kavinae
Oh dusky beauty with rain-dappled hips...
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae
A single finger came and touched me,
En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae
It played a veena along my nerves.
Manam avandhaanaa
Did my heart startle in realization,
Ivan endru thidukkittadhae
Asking if it is really him?
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Oru viral vandhu unnai theendiyadho
Did a finger come and touch you?
Un narambodu veenai meettiyadho
Did it play a veena along your nerves?
Un uyirkkullae
Deep inside your soul,
Kaadhal ambai thoduththittadho…ooo
Did it strike an arrow of love?
Vaanil pirandha amudhandro
Is it not nectar born in the sky?
Paavai vilaindha mazhai andro
Is it not rain harvested for this maiden?
Mullai vagulam kurukkaththi
Jasmine, vakulam, and kurukkathi flowers,
Thollaiyin idaintha udal andro
Is this body not entwined in sweet trouble?
Theendai mei theendai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Vizhiyodum theendal undu
There is a touch through the eyes,
Viralodum theendal undu
There is a touch through the fingers,
Irandodum bedham ulladhu
There is a difference between the two.
Vizhiththeendal uyir killum
The glance-touch nips the soul,
Viral theendal ullam killum
The finger-touch nips the heart.
Adhudhaanae nee solvadhu
Is that not what you say?
Nadhi ora poovin melae
Upon a flower by the riverbank,
Jadhipaadum saaral polae
Like a rhythmic drizzling shower,
Ennil inba thunbham
Does it create sweet pain,
Seiguvadhoo
Deep within me?
Oru kannam thandhen munnae
I offered one cheek in front of you,
Maru kannam thandhaai pennae
You gave your other cheek, my girl,
Yesunaadhar kaatru vandhu
Did a breeze like Lord Jesus,
Veesiyadhoo
Blow over us?
Uravin uyirae uyirae
Oh soul of our intimacy,
Ennai pennaai cheiga
Make me a complete woman!
Male :Azhagae azhagae
Male: Oh beauty, oh beauty!
Un aasai velga… aa… aa
May your desires win!
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae
A single finger came and touched me,
En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae
It played a veena along my nerves.
Manam avandhaanaa
Did my heart startle in realization,
Ivan endru thidukkittadhae
Asking if it is really him?
Kadalodu muththam thandhum
Like the ocean kissing the shore,
Kalaiyaadha vaanam pola
While the sky remains clear and unparted,
Udalodu ottikkollavoo
Should I cling onto your body?
Udalodu angum ingum
Everywhere within the body,
Uraigindra jeevan pola
Like the living soul residing inside,
Unnodu kattikkollavoo
Should I embrace you?
Unai thaedi mannil vandhen
I came to earth searching for you,
Enai thedi neeyum vandhaai
You came searching for me,
Unnai naanum ennai neeyum
You and I, each other,
Kandukondoam
We have found!
Pala pergal kaadhal seidhu
When many people love,
Pazhangaadhal theerumbodhu
And ancient love fades away,
Bhooi vaazha pudhiya kaadhal
For the world to thrive,
Kondu vandhom
We brought a brand new love!
Paniyo paniyin thuliyo
Is it mist or a droplet of dew,
Un idhazhmel yenna
Upon your lips?
Female :Paniyo thaeno
Female: Is it mist or honey?
Nee suvaiththaal yenna.. aa… aa..
Why not taste it yourself?
Theendaaii
Touch!
Female :Theendaaii
Female: Touch!
Male :Mei theendaai
Male: Physically touch me!
Female :Mei theendaai
Female: Physically touch me!
Thaandaai
Cross over!
Female :Thaandaai
Female: Cross over!
Male :Padi thaandaai
Male: Step over the threshold!
Female :Padi thaandaai
Female: Step over the threshold!
Oru viral vandhu unnai theendiyadho
Did a finger come and touch you?
Female :Oru viral vandhu ennai theendiyadhae
Female: A finger came and touched me.
Male :Un narambodu veenai meettiyadho
Male: Did it play a veena along your nerves?
Female :En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae
Female: It played a veena along my nerves.
Male :Un uyirkkullae
Male: Inside your soul,
Female :Manam avandhaanaa
Female: My heart asked if it was him,
Male :Kaadhal ambai thoduththittadho…ooo
Male: Did it shoot an arrow of love?
Female :Ivan endru thidukkittadhae….
Female: Surprised that it was really him...
Theendaai mei theendaai
Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Chorus :Vaanil pirandha amudhandro
Chorus: Isn't it divine nectar born in the sky?
Female :Theendaai mei theendaai
Female: Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Chorus :Paavai vilaindha mazhai andro
Chorus: Isn't it rain ripened for the maiden?
Female :Theendaai mei theendaai
Female: Touch me, physically touch me,
Thaandaai padi thaandaai
Cross over, step over the threshold.
Padi thaandaai…padi thaandaai..
Step over the threshold... step over...
Padi thaandaai…padi thaandaai…
Step over the threshold... step over...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Theendai Mei Theendai' from En Swasa Kaatre explores the deep physical and emotional intimacy between two lovers. It opens with a classical Sangam poem (Kuruntokai 27 by female poet Velliveedhiyar) comparing unfulfilled romantic passion to wasted cow's milk that neither nourishes the calf nor fills the pail. As the modern song unfolds, the lovers engage in a sensual dialogue distinguishing eye contact ('vizhi theendal') from physical touch ('mei theendal'), celebrating how physical intimacy fulfills spiritual longing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Classical Allusion (Sangam Literature)
“Kandrum unnaadhu Kalaththinum padaadhu...”
The introductory verse 'Kandrum unnaadhu...' directly quotes verse 27 of Kuruntokai composed by ancient Tamil poetess Velliveedhiyar.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En narambodu veenai meettiyadhae”
Compares human nerves to the strings of a veena played by the touch of love.
Simile (Upamai)
“Nadhi ora poovin melae Jadhipaadum saaral polae”
Compares the delicate feeling of love to rhythmic rain falling gently on a flower along a riverbank.
Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Etukai)
“Theendaai mei theendaai / Thaandaai padi thaandaai”
Uses rhythmic assonance and rhyming roots ('Theendaai' / 'Thaandaai') to build musical momentum.
Did you know?
Trivia
Though attributed to A.R. Rahman, the soundtrack of En Swasa Kaatre features this sensual classical blend with ancient Sangam Tamil poetry (Kuruntokai 27), bridging 2000-year-old classical literature with modern film music orchestrations.
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