Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thendral Kaatrum

From Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate · 1983

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mm….mm….mm…Mm....mm....mm...
Female
Thendral kaattrum anbu paattumWhere is the gentle breeze or the song of love
Mangai vaazhvil yaedhuIn this young woman's life?
Kangal oram pongum eeramMoisture overflowing from the corners of her eyes
Naalum kaanum maadhuIs what this woman witnesses every day.
Sudu neruppin meedhu malar vizhunthathuA flower has fallen onto burning fire;
Ini vasantham yaedhu manam thavikkuthu….Where is spring now? Her heart suffers in agony...
Female
Thendral kaattrum anbu paattumWhere is the gentle breeze or the song of love
Mangai vaazhvil yaedhuIn this young woman's life?
Female
Poovai enthan ullam devan vaazhum illamMy heart is like a flower, an abode where God resides.
Poovai enthan ullam devan vaazhum illamMy heart is like a flower, an abode where God resides.
Kaattrilae megam pol enthan aasai thaeinthathaeLike clouds dispersed by the wind, my desires have faded away.
Vaaraayo…..kelaayo….Will you not come? Will you not listen?
Ezhil muzhumathi thaeiirathaeThe beautiful full moon is waning...
Female
Thendral kaattrum anbu paattumWhere is the gentle breeze or the song of love
Mangai vaazhvil yaedhuIn this young woman's life?
Kangal oram pongum eeramMoisture overflowing from the corners of her eyes
Naalum kaanum maadhuIs what this woman witnesses every day.
Sudu neruppin meedhu malar vizhunthathuA flower has fallen onto burning fire;
Female
Velli vanna aadai nenjil konda paavaiA maiden wearing a silver-colored attire in her heart,
Velli vanna aadai nenjil konda paavaiA maiden wearing a silver-colored attire in her heart,
Minnalai thaediyae thaazhampoovum yaengguthaeEven the screwpine flower yearns in search of lightning.
Paaraaro…..kelaayo….A lullaby... will you not listen?
Iru manam alai modhiduthae….Two minds collide like crashing waves...
Female
Thendral kaattrum anbu paattumWhere is the gentle breeze or the song of love
Mangai vaazhvil yaedhuIn this young woman's life?
Kangal oram pongum eeramMoisture overflowing from the corners of her eyes
Naalum kaanum maadhuIs what this woman witnesses every day.
Sudu neruppin meedhu malar vizhunthathuA flower has fallen onto burning fire;
Ini vasantham yaedhu manam thavikkuthu….Where is spring now? Her heart suffers in agony...
Female
Thendral kaattrum anbu paattumWhere is the gentle breeze or the song of love
Mangai vaazhvil yaedhu…..mmmm….mm…mm…..In this young woman's life? ...mmmm....mm...mm.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song expresses deep distress and melancholy from the perspective of a woman whose life lacks affection and joy. She compares her fragile existence to a tender flower falling into a burning fire, signifying how her innocence and peace are consumed by tragedy. Her tears are a daily presence, and her desires disperse helplessly like clouds blown by the wind. Through poetic imagery of a fading full moon and restless ocean waves, the lyrics emphasize an intense emotional conflict and a desperate search for comfort that never arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Kaattrilae megam pol enthan aasai thaeinthathae

Compares her fading desires to clouds scattered away by the wind ('Kaattrilae megam pol enthan aasai thaeinthathae').

Metaphor

Sudu neruppin meedhu malar vizhunthathu

Compares a tender life caught in severe suffering to a flower falling onto burning fire ('Sudu neruppin meedhu malar vizhunthathu').

Metaphor

Poovai enthan ullam devan vaazhum illam

Equates her pure heart to a flower and an abode where God resides ('Poovai enthan ullam devan vaazhum illam').

Iyaibu (Rhyming)

Vaaraayo…..kelaayo….

Rhyming line endings creates a mournful rhythm ('Vaaraayo.....kelaayo....').

Did you know?

Trivia

Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate is a 1983 Tamil drama film directed by O. S. Sivakumar. Although often listed with unknown music credits in secondary sources, the film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by M. G. Vallaban.

Keep listening

More from Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate