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Theertha Karaiyinile album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Theerthakkaraiyinile

From Theertha Karaiyinile · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Theertha Karaiyinile
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
10 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Theerthakkaraiyinilae
Thenpodhigai saarathilae
Paadum mozhi unadhu
En kannammaa
Thaedum vizhi yenadhu
En ponnammaa
Paadum mozhi unadhu
En kannammaa
Thaedum vizhi yenadhu
En ponnammaa
Theerthakkaraiyinilae
Thenpodhigai saarathilae
Ottrai vazhi paadhaiyilae…ae
Adi unnai mattum naan ninaithaen
Ottrai vazhi paadhaiyilae…ae
Unnai mattum naan ninaithaen
Netri mudhal paadham varai
Mutham ida kaathirunthen
Netri mudhal paadham varai
Mutham ida kaathirunthen
Kattikolla nee sammadhithaal
Aththanaiyum inbamadi
Kattikolla nee maruthaal
Aththanaiyum thunbamadi
Theerthakkaraiyinilae
Thenpodhigai saarathilae
Paadum mozhi unadhu
En kannammaa
Thaedum vizhi yenadhu
En ponnammaa
Theerthakkaraiyinilae
Thenpodhigai saarathilae
Theerthakkaraiyinilae
Thenpodhigai saarathilae
By the sacred riverbank,
On the slopes of the southern Pothigai hills,
The singing words are yours,
Oh my Kannamma,
The searching eyes are mine,
Oh my precious one.
The singing words are yours,
Oh my Kannamma,
The searching eyes are mine,
Oh my precious one.
By the sacred riverbank,
On the slopes of the southern Pothigai hills.
Along that narrow, single path,
Girl, I thought only of you.
Along that narrow, single path,
I thought only of you.
From your forehead down to your feet,
I waited to kiss you.
From your forehead down to your feet,
I waited to kiss you.
If you agree to hold me close,
Everything will be pure joy, my girl.
If you refuse to embrace me,
Everything will turn into sorrow, my girl.
By the sacred riverbank,
On the slopes of the southern Pothigai hills,
The singing words are yours,
Oh my Kannamma,
The searching eyes are mine,
Oh my precious one.
By the sacred riverbank,
On the slopes of the southern Pothigai hills,
By the sacred riverbank,
On the slopes of the southern Pothigai hills.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a passionate romantic ode set against a picturesque natural landscape—the sacred riverbanks and drizzling Podhigai hills. The protagonist tenderly addresses his beloved (Kannamma/Ponnamma), contrasting her sweet, song-like speech with his own longing, searching eyes. He reminisces about walking alone on a single path, consumed entirely by thoughts of her and longing to express his love deeply from head to toe. In the second stanza, he presents a stark emotional dichotomy: her acceptance of his love brings absolute bliss, whereas her rejection leads to complete heartbreak and sorrow. The lyrics blend classical poetic tropes of Tamil literature with relatable romantic yearning.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

“Kattikolla nee sammadhithaal / Aththanaiyum inbamadi ... maruthaal ... thunbamadi”

Contrasting two opposing conditions ('sammadhithaal' / 'inbam' vs 'maruthaal' / 'thunbam') to emphasize emotional extremes.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

“En kannammaa / En ponnammaa”

Rhyming line endings using tender terms of endearment ('kannammaa' and 'ponnammaa').

Assonance / Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Paadum mozhi unadhu / Thaedum vizhi yenadhu”

Matching secondary consonants in paired lines ('Paadum' and 'Thaedum').

Cultural Epithet (Allusion)

“En kannammaa”

The name 'Kannamma' invokes the iconic poetic tradition popularized by Subramania Bharati.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Theertha Karaiyinile' pays homage to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous poem of the same name. In this 1987 film version directed and written by Gangai Amaran (starring Mic Mohan), the imagery of Podhigai hills—traditionally associated with the origin of the Tamil language and Sage Agastya—is used to underscore the timeless nature of love.

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