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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Then Madhuvai

From Puthumai Pithan · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Puthumai Pithan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaen madhuvai vandinam thedi varumSwarms of bees come seeking sweet nectar
Inbamaai vaan mathiyaiJoyfully towards the moon in the sky
Vanna mugil naadi varumColorful clouds come seeking
Haaa..aaaHaaa..aaa
Thaen madhuvai vandinam thedi varumSwarms of bees come seeking sweet nectar
Inbamaai vaan mathiyaiJoyfully towards the moon in the sky
Vanna mugil naadi varumColorful clouds come seeking
Female
Hoo oo oo hoo oo ooHoo oo oo hoo oo oo
Kaanatha inbam kandaale thunbamExperiencing unseen pleasures leads to sorrow
Vaazhnaalum indrodum veenavadhaWill your life go to waste starting today?
Kaanatha inbam kandaale thunbamExperiencing unseen pleasures leads to sorrow
Vaazhnaalum indrodum veenavadhaWill your life go to waste starting today?
Maanargal vizhiyaale mayangaadhae neeyaeDo not be spellbound by the eyes of women
Maanargal vizhiyaale mayangaadhae neeyaeDo not be spellbound by the eyes of women
Madhiyaalae vidhi maalum thayangaadhae neeyaeWith intellect, fate can be overcome; do not hesitate
Madhiyaalae vidhi maalum thayangaadhae neeyaeWith intellect, fate can be overcome; do not hesitate
Female
Thaen madhuvai vandinam thedi varumSwarms of bees come seeking sweet nectar
Inbamaai vaan mathiyaiJoyfully towards the moon in the sky
Vanna mugil naadi varumColorful clouds come seeking
Haaa..aaaHaaa..aaa
Thaen madhuvai …Sweet nectar...
Female
Hoo oo oo hoo oo ooHoo oo oo hoo oo oo
Neerazhi polae nilaiyaanadhaleSince worldly life is as transient as a water bubble
Neerazhi polae nilaiyaanadhaleSince worldly life is as transient as a water bubble
Aaraaindhu paaramal peraasaiyalaeWithout thinking deeply, out of extreme greed
Aaraaindhu paaramal peraasaiyalaeWithout thinking deeply, out of extreme greed
Maaradha veen mogam thaalamal neeyaeUnable to withstand unceasing vain infatuation
Maaradha veen mogam thaalamal neeyaeUnable to withstand unceasing vain infatuation
Theeradha sathiyaalae veezhadhe raajaDo not fall due to endless treachery, O King
Theeradha sathiyaalae veezhadhe raajaDo not fall due to endless treachery, O King
Female
Thaen madhuvai vandinam thedi varumSwarms of bees come seeking sweet nectar
Inbamaai vaan mathiyaiJoyfully towards the moon in the sky
Vanna mugil naadi varumColorful clouds come seeking
Haaa..aaaHaaa..aaa
Thaen madhuvaiSweet nectar

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaen Madhuvai is a classic dance song from the 1957 film Puthumai Pithan. Opening with poetic metaphors comparing attraction to bees seeking honey and clouds seeking the moon, the song serves as a philosophical warning disguised as a mesmerizing performance. It advises the listener—specifically addressing a king—to guard against succumbing to sensory allure and deceitful charms. The lyrics emphasize that worldly pleasures and infatuations are as short-lived as bubbles on water ('Neerazhi'). It encourages reliance on intellect ('madhi') over blind submission to fate ('vidhi'), warning that falling prey to uncontrolled lust, greed, and deception will lead to the downfall of a ruler.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Neerazhi polae nilaiyaanadhale

Compares transient life and pleasures to a short-lived water bubble ('Neerazhi polae').

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethukai)

Madhiyaalae vidhi maalum thayangaadhae neeyae

The second consonant 'dh' matches across 'Madhiyaalae' and 'Vidhi', creating a rhythmic flow.

Nature Imagery

Thaen madhuvai vandinam thedi varum

Uses vivid nature imagery of bees seeking honey and clouds embracing the moon to symbolize natural desire and attraction.

Wordplay / Anthesis

Madhiyaalae vidhi maalum thayangaadhae neeyae

Juxtaposes intellect ('Madhi') with fate ('Vidhi') to convey that human wisdom can conquer destiny.

Did you know?

Trivia

Puthumai Pithan (1957) was a fantasy-adventure film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and T. R. Rajakumari, directed by T. R. Sundaram. The soundtrack was composed by G. Ramanathan, with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. This song stands out for combining seductive dance melody with deep philosophical advice typical of classical Tamil court poetry.

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