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Thai Pongal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Theertha Karaithanile (Happy)

From Thai Pongal · 1980

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
Jency
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thai Pongal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
20 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………….
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
Thaai maman thol meedhu
Saainthaadum naal paarththu
Paadungal jeeva gaanangal
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
Naana mega vaanilae naanum neeyum koodiyae
Moga raagam paadiyae podum soga naadagam
Kaaviri oramaai kovalan kadhali
Poovizhi maadhavi kadhalil paadiya
Kaanal vari sugam thedidum
Nenjangalae…..konjavaa
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
Somavaara nonbugal kaamadeva jaalangal
Paadhi jaama poojaigal kaana kodi aasaigal
Kaaviri oramaai kovalan kadhali
Poovizhi maadhavi kadhalil paadiya
Kaanal vari sugam thedidum
Nenjangalae…..konjavaa
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
Thaai maman thol meedhu
Saainthaadum naal paarththu
Paadungal jeeva gaanangal
Theerththa karaithanilae senbaga pushbangalae
...
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank,
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank,
Upon the shoulders of my maternal uncle,
looking forward to the day I rest and sway,
sing your songs of life!
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank...
In a sky of shy clouds, as you and I come together,
singing a song of longing, a sorrowful drama plays out.
By the banks of the Kaveri, Kovalan's beloved,
flower-eyed Madhavi, who sang in love—
seeking the sweetness of that seashore song,
O longing hearts, shall I gently caress you?
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank...
Fasts on holy Mondays, the playful charms of Kamadeva (god of love),
prayers at midnight, and millions of desires waiting to be fulfilled...
By the banks of the Kaveri, Kovalan's beloved,
flower-eyed Madhavi, who sang in love—
seeking the sweetness of that seashore song,
O longing hearts, shall I gently caress you?
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank...
Upon the shoulders of my maternal uncle,
looking forward to the day I rest and sway,
sing your songs of life!
O shenbagam flowers on the sacred riverbank...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Theerththa karaithanilae' from the movie Thai Pongal (1980) expresses a heroine's deep yearning and romantic devotion. Set against the serene backdrop of sacred riverbanks lined with fragrant Shenbagam blossoms, she envisions a life of love and togetherness, looking forward to resting on her beloved's shoulder and celebrating life's music. The lyricist M.G. Vallaban enriches the song with classical literary references, drawing parallels to the epic Silappatikaram through Kovalan, Madhavi, and her famous 'Kaanal Vari' songs by the Kaveri. The lyrics blend sweet romantic anticipation with a subtle undertone of sorrow, reflecting the complexities of love, devotion, and destiny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ilakkiya Kurippu (Classical Allusion)

“Kaaviri oramaai kovalan kadhali Poovizhi maadhavi kadhalil paadiya Kaanal vari sugam thedidum”

References Madhavi and Kovalan from the classical Tamil epic Silappatikaram and their famous beach songs known as Kaanal Vari.

Moonaal / Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

“Naana mega vaanilae naanum neeyum koodiyae”

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across words in the line for melodic rhythm.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Moga raagam paadiyae podum soga naadagam”

Compares romantic desire and life's emotional ups and downs to a 'soga naadagam' (tragedy/drama) and 'moga raagam' (melody of passion).

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Somavaara nonbugal kaamadeva jaalangal / Paadhi jaama poojaigal kaana kodi aasaigal”

Matching of the second consonant sounds across lines (Somavaara / Paadhi).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is a iconic collaboration between composer Ilaiyaraaja and singer Jency Anthony, known for their string of lush melodic hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Lyricist M.G. Vallaban penned the song incorporating traditional rituals like Somavaara Nonbu (Monday fasting dedicated to Lord Shiva) along with references to Sangam literature.

Keep listening

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Theertha Karaithanile (Sad)1980
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Oru Raagam Sad1982
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Kuyile Kuyile1982
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Vazhkaiye Vesham1979
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From the same album

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Theertha Karaithanile (Sad)1980
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Thane Sathiradum Malai1980
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Pani Vizhum Poo Nilavil1980
Thai PongalTender
Kan Malargalin Azhaipidhazh1980
Thai PongalRomantic

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