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Ezhuthatha Sattangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Then Kulathile Kulikkava

From Ezhuthatha Sattangal · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
31 Mar 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Pala viththai idhil puriyum
Ada vetkkam enna iniyum
Pala viththai idhil puriyum
Vetkkam enna iniyum
Kadhalilae neentha vaikka
Kaaman avan vetti vachcha
Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Ponn onnu poovaachchu poomeni soodaachchu
Kaayuthae karuguthae neerilum uruguthae
Ponn onnu poovaachchu poomeni soodaachchu
Kaayuthae karuguthae neerilum uruguthae
Thannikkulla theeyirunthu ennai sudum neram
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa….aa….aa…..aa…
Thannikkulla theeyirunthu ennai sudum neram
Pakkaththilae neeyirunthu mella thodumpothu
Vaalipaththu theppam vida maaran avan katti vachcha
Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Kalloorum en thegam engengum senthooram
Naanoru menagai pudhu vagai madhu vagai
Kalloorum en thegam engengum senthooram
Naanoru menagai pudhu vagai madhu vagai
Semparuththi pooveduththu senju vachcha thegam
Aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa….aa….aa…..aa…
Semparuththi pooveduththu senju vachcha thegam
Devarukkum moovarukkum inbam tharum yaagam
Pottukitta vedaththilae paattu varum raagaththilae
Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Pala viththai idhil puriyum
Ada vetkkam enna iniyum
Pala viththai idhil puriyum
Vetkkam enna iniyum
Kadhalilae neentha vaikka
Kaaman avan vetti vachcha
Thaen pudhiya thaen
Inikkum thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa
Shall I bathe in this pool of honey, or float in it?
Shall I bathe in this pool of honey, or float in it?
Many playful wonders unfold here,
Oh, why should there be any shyness anymore?
Many playful wonders unfold here,
Why should there be any shyness anymore?
Created so one can swim in love,
dug out by Kama (the god of love),
shall I bathe in this pool of honey, or float in it?
A girl has blossomed, and her soft body has grown warm;
it burns, it scorches, and melts even in water!
A girl has blossomed, and her soft body has grown warm;
it burns, it scorches, and melts even in water!
At a time when a fire in the water burns me,
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
at a time when a fire in the water burns me,
as you stay close beside me and touch me gently...
Built by the god of love to float the raft of youth,
shall I bathe in this pool of honey, or float in it?
Sweet wine seeps from my body, glowing red all over;
I am a Menaka (heavenly dancer), a brand new kind of wine!
Sweet wine seeps from my body, glowing red all over;
I am a Menaka (heavenly dancer), a brand new kind of wine!
A body sculpted out of red hibiscus flowers,
Ah... ah... ah... ah...
a body sculpted out of red hibiscus flowers,
a sacred offering of bliss fit for the gods and the Trinity!
In the disguise I wear, songs flow with melody...
Shall I bathe in this pool of honey, or float in it?
Many playful wonders unfold here,
Oh, why should there be any shyness anymore?
Many playful wonders unfold here,
Why should there be any shyness anymore?
Created so one can swim in love,
dug out by Kama (the god of love),
honey, fresh honey,
in this sweet pool of honey, shall I bathe or float?
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Thaen Kulaththilae' from 'Ezhuthatha Sattangal' (1984) is a highly romantic and sensuous solo performed by S. Janaki. The lyrics metaphorically depict love and intimacy as a 'honey pond' created by Kamadeva (the god of love). The protagonist expresses her intense desire, passion, and physical longing, describing her body as a delicate creation made of hibiscus flowers and equating her allure to that of a celestial nymph like Menaka.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thaen kulaththilae kulikkavaa midhakkavaa

Comparing the overwhelming sweetness and depth of romantic passion to a 'honey pond' (Thaen Kulaththilae).

Oxymoron / Paradox

Thannikkulla theeyirunthu ennai sudum neram

Describing fire burning inside water ('Thannikkulla theeyirunthu'), highlighting the internal fire of passion despite being immersed in cooling water.

Moni / Rhyme Scheme (Iyaibu)

Ponn onnu poovaachchu poomeni soodaachchu

End rhymes like 'poovaachchu' and 'soodaachchu', 'karuguthae' and 'uruguthae' create a pleasing rhythmic cadence.

Allusion

Naanoru menagai pudhu vagai madhu vagai

References to Hindu mythological figures such as Kaaman (Cupid/Kamadeva), Menaka (celestial dancer), and Devas (gods) to heighten the sensory and divine aspects of passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung with immense expression by S. Janaki, this track stands out in the 1984 film 'Ezhuthatha Sattangal' (directed by K. Shankar, starring Prabhu and Sivaji Ganesan). The song is celebrated for Janaki's vocal nuances and Pulamaipithan's rich classical Tamil imagery.

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