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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thenandal Koyilukku

From Naagam · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Naagam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thenaandaal koyilukku vilakkeththi pottaenI lit a lamp at the Thenandal temple,
Unnodu naan vaazha varam onnu kettaenI asked for a boon to live my life with you.
Thenaandaal koyilukku vilakkeththi pottaenI lit a lamp at the Thenandal temple,
Unnodu naan vaazha varam onnu kettaenI asked for a boon to live my life with you.
Female
Edhai paarththapothum unai pola thonumWhatever I look at, it reminds me of you,
Idhu pothum ingae enakkenna venumThis is enough here, what else do I need?
Ooo….oo….oo….ooo….oo….oo….ooo….oo…ooo….Ooo....oo....oo....ooo....oo....oo....ooo....oo...ooo....
Female
Thenaandaal koyilukku vilakkeththi pottaenI lit a lamp at the Thenandal temple,
Unnodu naan vaazha varam onnu kettaenI asked for a boon to live my life with you.
Female
Iduppukku melae uduththura selaThe saree wrapped above my waist,
Enakkoru paaram polae iruppathanaalaeBecause it feels like a heavy burden to me,
Iduppukku melae uduththura selaThe saree wrapped above my waist,
Enakkoru paaram polae iruppathanaalaeBecause it feels like a heavy burden to me,
Thegam thallaada intha thaamaraipoo vaadaMy body totters as this lotus flower wilts,
Thegam thallaada intha thaamaraipoo vaadaMy body totters as this lotus flower wilts,
Female
Paayai poda paattu paada neeyum naanumthaanIt is just you and me to lay the mat and sing a song,
Saari paambum naagapaambum serum neranthaanIt is time for the striped snake and cobra to unite.
Female
Thenaandaal koyilukku vilakkeththi pottaenI lit a lamp at the Thenandal temple,
Unnodu naan vaazha varam onnu kettaenI asked for a boon to live my life with you.
Female
Ilampirai polae irukkura mogamPassion that resembles a crescent moon,
Pozhuthuthaan poga poga pournami aagumAs time passes on, will become a full moon.
Ilampirai polae irukkura mogamPassion that resembles a crescent moon,
Pozhuthuthaan poga poga pournami aagumAs time passes on, will become a full moon.
Aasaigal undaaga chinna aalilai thindaadaAs desires arise, this little banyan leaf falters,
Aasaigal undaaga chinna aalilai thindaadaAs desires arise, this little banyan leaf falters,
Female
Maalai pottu valaiyal maattu nee en kayilthaanPut a garland on me and slide bangles onto my hand,
Neeyilaatti nilavum kooda kaththiri veyyilthaanWithout you, even the moonlight feels like scorching summer heat.
Female
Thenaandaal koyilukku vilakkeththi pottaenI lit a lamp at the Thenandal temple,
Unnodu naan vaazha varam onnu kettaenI asked for a boon to live my life with you.
Female
Edhai paarththapothum unai pola thonumWhatever I look at, it reminds me of you,
Idhupothum ingae enakkenna venumThis is enough here, what else do I need?
Ooo….oo….oo….ooo….oo….oo….ooo….oo…ooo….Ooo....oo....oo....ooo....oo....oo....ooo....oo...ooo....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thenaandaal Koyilukku is a sensual romantic track from the 1985 Tamil movie Naagam. The song depicts a woman expressing her deep devotion and longing for her lover. She begins by describing how she lit a sacred lamp at the Thenandal temple, praying to the deity for the single blessing of sharing her life with him. Every object around her reflects her lover's face, filling her world with complete fulfillment. As the melody unfolds, she poetically articulates her intimacy and passionate yearning, describing how her love grows from a crescent to a full moon and how even gentle moonlight feels scorching in his absence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Ilampirai polae irukkura mogam

Compares the budding desire/passion to a young crescent moon ('Ilampirai polae irukkura mogam') that gradually matures into a full moon.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Neeyilaatti nilavum kooda kaththiri veyyilthaan

Compares the lover's absence to unbearable heat, stating that even soothing moonlight feels like the scorching May sun ('Kaththiri veyyil') without him.

Monaib / Alliteration

Paayai poda paattu paada neeyum naanumthaan

Repetition of the initial 'p' sound in 'Paayai poda paattu paada' creates a rhythmic, melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the movie Naagam (1985), starring Action King Arjun and Radha, directed by Karthik Raghunath. The legendary lyricist Vaali cleverly incorporated snake imagery ('Saari paambum naagapaambum') into the romantic lyrics to weave in the snake-centric theme of the movie's title.

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