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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theeratha Vilaiyattu

From Netrikkan · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Netrikkan1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………………An insatiable mischievous playboy,
Male
Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillaiHe is indeed a handsome Cupid, without a doubt.
Ivan singaara manmadhan thaanThere is no doubt about it.
Sandhegam illaiWhen he sees a flower (woman), he will bet gold on her,
Poovaikkandaal ponnai vaippaanWherever he goes, it is all a game of play-marriages.
Pona pakkam athanaiyum kalyaana leelai leelaiAn insatiable mischievous playboy,
Male
Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillaiHe is indeed a handsome Cupid, without a doubt.
Ivan singaara manmadhan thaanThere is no doubt about it.
Sandhegam illaiThis is the bedroom... this is the lamp...
Male
Idhu bedroom…idhu vilakku…This is the bed... this is the bedding...
Idhu kattil…idhu padukkai…This is the pillow... this is the incense stick...
Idhu thalagaani…idhu oodhuvathi…You are a girl... I am a boy.
Nee ponnu…naan paiyanHe plays as long as he desires,
Male
Avan aasaiyulla varaiyil vilaiyaadiBathing in it day and night, coming out victorious.
Adhil andhippagal kulithu karaiyaeriHe plays as long as he desires,
Avan aasaiyulla varaiyil vilaiyaadiBathing in it day and night, coming out victorious.
Adhil andhippagal kulithu karaiyaeriSinging many love poems,
Kaadhal kavidhaigal palapaadiThe women he has set eyes on number ten million.
Avan paartha pengal oru kodiWhen he sees a young woman,
Kanni pennai kandaalWhen he sees a young woman, he becomes a bee falling in love.
Kanni pennai kandaal kaadhal kollum vanduHe comes running like a youth who comes dancing and singing.
Aadivarum paadivarum vaalibanaippol odivarumAn insatiable mischievous playboy,
Male
Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillaiHe is indeed a handsome Cupid, without a doubt.
Ivan singaara manmadhan thaanThere is no doubt about it.
Sandhegam illaiThe mind shapes up at sixteen,
Male
Manam aaru padhinaaril uruvaagumIf it crosses sixty, it turns into a flaw.
Adhu arubadhai kadandhaal thavaraagumUp to a certain age, it acts as a strength,
Oru kaalam varaiyil balamaagumIn later age, temptation multiplies into many.
Maru kaalam sabalam palavaagumThe moment he catches sight of a saree,
Saelai kanda podhaeThe moment he catches sight of a saree, all work goes to ruin.
Saelai kanda podhae vaelai kettu pogumThere is no child, no mother, no law, no righteousness at all.
Saeyumillai thaayumillai sattam dharmam yaedhumillaiAn insatiable mischievous playboy,
Male
Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillaiHe is indeed a handsome Cupid, without a doubt.
Ivan singaara manmadhan thaanThere is no doubt about it.
Sandhegam illaiWhen he sees a flower (woman), he will bet gold on her,
Poovaikkandaal ponnai vaippaanWherever he goes, it is all a game of play-marriages.
Pona pakkam athanaiyum kalyaana leelai leelaiAn insatiable mischievous playboy,
Male
Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillaiHe is indeed a handsome Cupid, without a doubt.
Ivan singaara manmadhan thaanThere is no doubt about it.
Sandhegam illai

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Netrikkan (1981) paints a vivid portrait of a compulsive playboy whose life revolves around hedonism and romantic pursuits. Written by Kannadasan, the lyric highlights the protagonist's unrestrained desire and lack of moral boundaries, framing him as an incorrigible charm-seeker who pursues women without regard for age, decorum, or social norms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Cultural Allusion

Theeraadha vilaiyaattu pillai

Refers directly to Mahakavi Bharathiyar's celebrated song 'Theeraadha Vilaiyaattu Pillai' about young Lord Krishna, repurposing Krishna's divine mischief as modern romantic hedonism.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ivan singaara manmadhan thaan

Compares the protagonist to 'Manmadhan' (the Hindu deity of love and desire) and a 'vandu' (honeybee hovering over flowers).

Rhyme / Alliteration (Iyaibu & Ethukai)

Oru kaalam varaiyil balamaagum / Maru kaalam sabalam palavaagum

Uses structural repetition and end-rhyme rhythm (balamaagum / palavaagum; padhinaaril / arubadhai) to create a playful musical cadence.

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Trivia

Although the song title borrows from Bharathiyar's devotional poem on Krishna, Kannadasan subverts the original meaning to portray Chakravarthy (played by Rajinikanth), an elder playboy who refuses to let age slow down his relentless flirtations.

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