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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thenaruvi Adhil

From Karathe Kamala · 1978

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Karathe Kamala1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haei thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviHey, a stream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Vaadai kulirinil aadi kalikkuthuDancing joyfully in the cool northern breeze
Vaazhaikuruththena maeni silirkkuthuMy body shivers like tender banana leaves
Vannam konjum annam endruCalling me a colorful swan
Kannam rendum minnum endruSaying my cheeks gleam and shine
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Vaadai kulirinil aadi kalikkuthuDancing joyfully in the cool northern breeze
Vaazhaikuruththena maeni silirkkuthuMy body shivers like tender banana leaves
Vannam konjum annam endruCalling me a colorful swan
Kannam rendum minnum endruSaying my cheeks gleam and shine
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Female
Thanniyo pachcha thanniIs the water cold fresh water?
Kanniyo chinna kanniIs the maiden a young girl?
Neruppaai iruppathennadiyoWhy does it burn like fire?
Ninaippae kodhippathennadiyoWhy does the thought itself boil?
Female
Angangaethaan meen kadichchiA fish bit me here and there
Ammammaa naan thudichchiOh my, I squirmed in sensation
Angangaethaan meen kadichchiA fish bit me here and there
Ammammaa naan thudichchiOh my, I squirmed in sensation
Angangalil koochcam vanthathoHas shyness overcome my limbs?
Chorus :Ennadiyakkaa adhai nee ssolladiyakkaaChorus: What is it, elder sister? Tell me, elder sister!
Ennadiyakkaa adhai nee ssolladiyakkaaChorus: What is it, elder sister? Tell me, elder sister!
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Vaadai kulirinil aadi kalikkuthuDancing joyfully in the cool northern breeze
Vaazhaikuruththena maeni silirkkuthuMy body shivers like tender banana leaves
Vannam konjum annam endruCalling me a colorful swan
Kannam rendum minnum endruSaying my cheeks gleam and shine
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Female
Gangaiyil annaalilaeIn those ancient days at the Ganges
Kanniyar neeraadinaalWhen maidens bathed in the river
Kannanum karaiyil nirpaanaaWould Lord Krishna stand on the shore?
Saelaiyai maraiththu vaippaanaaWould he hide their garments away?
Female
Gangaiyil annaalilaeIn those ancient days at the Ganges
Kanniyar neeraadinaalWhen maidens bathed in the river
Kannanum karaiyil nirpaanaaWould Lord Krishna stand on the shore?
Saelaiyai maraiththu vaippaanaaWould he hide their garments away?
Female
Ennarugil kannan illaiThere is no Krishna near me
Ennai konja mannan illaiThere is no king to fondle me
Ennarugil kannan illaiThere is no Krishna near me
Ennai konja mannan illaiThere is no king to fondle me
Enna enna yaedho oru mayakkam vanthathoWhat is this, why has a mysterious trance overcome me?
Chorus :Ennadiyakkaa adhai nee solladiyakkaaChorus: What is it, elder sister? Tell me, elder sister!
Ennadiyakkaa adhai nee solladiyakkaaChorus: What is it, elder sister? Tell me, elder sister!
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Vaadai kulirinil aadi kalikkuthuDancing joyfully in the cool northern breeze
Vaazhaikuruththena maeni silirkkuthuMy body shivers like tender banana leaves
Vannam konjum annam endruCalling me a colorful swan
Kannam rendum minnum endruSaying my cheeks gleam and shine
Female
Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruviStream of honey... and a flower-sparrow within it
Chorus :AahoChorus: Aaho
Female :Adhil oru poonguruviFemale: A flower-sparrow within it
Chorus :OhoChorus: Oho
Female :Adhil oru poonguruviFemale: A flower-sparrow within it
Chorus :HeehmmmChorus: Heehmmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thaen Aruvi from Karathe Kamala (1978) is a sensual and playful song expressing the awakening of youthful romance in a young maiden as she bathes in a sweet river stream. She poetically compares herself to a flower-sparrow playfully fluttering in a waterfall of honey, shivering under the chill of the breeze while feeling an inner thermal glow of romantic longing. The lyrics invoke mythological motifs, referencing Lord Krishna stealing the clothes of the bathing gopis in the Ganges, while expressing her poignant yearning for her own beloved to be by her side.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Vaazhaikuruththena maeni silirkkuthu

Compares the delicate goosebumps and shivering of her body to the soft texture of tender banana shoots.

Uruvagamm (Metaphor)

Thaen aruvi….adhil oru poonguruvi

Metaphorically describes the sweet, pristine waterfall stream as a river flowing with honey.

Ethirai (Oxymoron/Contrast)

Thanniyo pachcha thanni / Neruppaai iruppathennadiyo

Juxtaposes the icy cold fresh water with the fiery heat of internal yearning.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Vannam konjum annam endru / Kannam rendum minnum endru

End-rhymes matching words to create a rhythmic musical cadence (annam / minnum).

Did you know?

Trivia

Karathe Kamala (1978) is a Tamil action drama film starring Asokan and Jayan. The soundtrack composed by Shankar-Ganesh features this iconic track sung by legendary playback singer P. Susheela, written by acclaimed poet Pulamaipithan.

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