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Isaimozhi
Eeramaana Rojavae album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thendral Kaatre

From Eeramaana Rojavae · 1991

Lyricists
Not listed
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Eeramaana Rojavae
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
17 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Thanimai kodhikudhu
Ninaivinil analum adikudhu
Idhayam thudikudhu thunai varathaan
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Medai yera koodumo
Meendum namadhu naadagam
Naanum neeyum servadhaal
Yaarukenna vaadhagam
Yaarai cholli novadhu
Kaalam seidha kolam
Unnai ennai vaatudhu
Kaadhal seidha paavam
Kannum nenjum en vasam illaiyae
Enna seivadhu solladi mullaiyae
Kanavil matumae kaigal seralaam kannaa …
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Thanimai kodhikudhu
Ninaivinil analum adikudhu
Idhayam thudikudhu thunai varathaan
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Jeevan rendum serndhadhu
Devan vagutha saasanam
Kaadhal endha naalilum
Kavidhai polae saasvatham
Indru vandha nesamo
Poorva jenma yogam
Innum ezhu jenmamum
Valarum indha yaagam
Meendum meendum boomiyil thondralaam
Kaadhal oviyam paarvayil theetalaam
Pirivu enbadhae uravukaaga dhaan kannae …
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Thanimai kodhikudhu
Ninaivinil analum adikudhu
Idhayam thudikudhu thunai varathaan
Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu
Angae sendru anbai chollu
Ah...
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
Loneliness is boiling over,
Memories scorch like hot winds,
My heart beats fast, longing for you by my side.
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
Will our play ever return
To the stage once again?
If you and I unite,
Who could possibly be harmed?
Whom can we blame and grieve for?
This is the cruel trick of time.
It torments both you and me,
As if love itself were a sin.
My eyes and heart are no longer in my control;
Tell me what to do, my sweet jasmine flower.
Only in our dreams can our hands hold each other, my beloved...
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
Loneliness is boiling over,
Memories scorch like hot winds,
My heart beats fast, longing for you by my side.
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
The union of our two souls
Is a decree written by God.
Love, through all the days,
Is everlasting, just like poetry.
Did this affection begin only today?
It is a blessing earned from a past life.
For seven more lifetimes,
This sacred fire of love will continue to grow.
We may be born again and again on this earth,
And paint a picture of love with our gazes.
Separation exists only to bring us closer, my dear...
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
Loneliness is boiling over,
Memories scorch like hot winds,
My heart beats fast, longing for you by my side.
O gentle breeze, wait a moment,
Go over there and speak of my love.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Thendral Kaatrae' expresses the profound longing and grief of separated lovers who send a message of love through the gentle breeze. The protagonist describes the agony of isolation, where memories feel like scorching heat waves and the pain of separation burns deeply. Despite the social or fate-driven obstacles keeping them apart, the lovers cling to the belief that their connection is divine and destined across multiple lifetimes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Thoodhu)

“Thendral kaatrae konjam nillu / Angae sendru anbai chollu”

Addressing the breeze (Thendral) as a messenger to carry feelings of love to the partner is a classic Sangam Tamil literary trope known as 'Thoodhu'.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

“Kaalam seidha kolam”

Describing time's actions as a drawing ('kolam') and love as a burning sacred fire ritual ('yaagam').

Simile (Uvamai)

“Kavidhai polae saasvatham”

Comparing the eternal nature of love to timeless poetry.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

“Jeevan rendum serndhadhu / Devan vagutha saasanam”

Use of matching initial sounds and second-letter consonantal rhyming (e.g., Jeevan / Devan, Indru / Innum).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1991 romantic drama film 'Eeramaana Rojavae', directed by Keyaar. Featuring vocals by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra (or Swarnalatha in solo versions), the soundtrack became an enormous chartbuster in the early 1990s and helped launch Shiva and Mohini into popularity.

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