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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thendral Oru Paattu

From Paaimarakkappal · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Mano
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paaimarakkappal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Male
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollumAll the streams provide the rhythm,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it,
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollumAll the streams provide the rhythm,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it,
Male
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Male
Pattu marathadhinnu paavi manam thudikirathuThis poor heart aches, thinking the song was forgotten,
Thoorathu kuyil vandhu solli kodukkirathuA distant cuckoo comes and teaches it again,
Megam irangi vandhu raagam padikkirathuThe clouds descend and sing a melodic raga,
Aalaana poovellam pera solli koopidudhuAll the blossomed flowers call out my name,
Male
Sangeetham irukkaiyilae saapadu thevai illaiWhen music is present, food is not needed,
Sangeetham irukkaiyilae saapadu thevai illaiWhen music is present, food is not needed,
Thoonagaiyilum paattu varumA song will emerge even from a pillar,
Naan onnum oomaiyillaiI am not mute at all,
Male
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollumAll the streams provide the rhythm,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it,
Male
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Male
Yerikaraiyil ellam empaattu ketkuthammaMy song is heard all along the lake bunds, mother,
Naan pogum paadhaiyellam maan kootam varuguthammaHerds of deer follow along the path I walk, mother,
Yedho oru kanavu en nenjil irukkuthammaThere is a certain dream residing in my heart, mother,
Kandu varum kanavellam naalai palikkum ammaAll the dreams I see will come true tomorrow, mother,
Male
Sithiraiyil veil adichaaIf the sun shines brightly in the month of Sithirai,
Kaarthigaiyil mazhai varumRain will surely come in the month of Kaarthigai,
Sithiraiyil veil adichaaIf the sun shines brightly in the month of Sithirai,
Kaarthigaiyil mazhai varumRain will surely come in the month of Kaarthigai,
Ezhuthukku velai varumA time will come for my writing to shine,
Kazhuthukku maalai varumA garland will adorn my neck,
Male
Thendral oru pattu kattumThe southern breeze composes a song,
Vandu vandhu mettu kattumThe beetle comes and composes a tune,
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollumAll the streams provide the rhythm,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it,
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellumTime passes by listening to it.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thendral Oru Pattu Kattum' is a joyous celebration of music embedded within nature. The protagonist feels a deep harmony with the environment, where the gentle breeze, humming bees, flowing streams, and singing cuckoos create an orchestra of life. Music is portrayed as life-giving sustenance, so profound that physical food becomes unnecessary when surrounded by melody. The protagonist expresses an unwavering faith in their artistic destiny. Comparing the journey of an artist to natural seasonal cycles, the lyrics convey that just as hot summer in Sithirai inevitably gives way to monsoon rains in Kaarthigai, perseverance and creative dedication will ultimately yield recognition and success.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagamm / Thanvinai Moodu)

Thendral oru pattu kattum / Vandu vandhu mettu kattum

Nature is personified as musical artists where breezes compose, beetles hum melodies, and streams provide rhythm.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sithiraiyil veil adichaa / Kaarthigaiyil mazhai varum

The second letter 'th' (த்) rhymes across consecutive lines ('Sithiraiyil' and 'Kaarthigaiyil'), creating rhythmic symmetry.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ezhuthukku velai varum / Kazhuthukku maalai varum

The second letter 'zh' (ழ) rhymes across 'Ezhuthukku' and 'Kazhuthukku'.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Sangeetham irukkaiyilae saapadu thevai illai / Thoonagaiyilum paattu varum

Exaggerating music's power by stating that even inanimate pillars can produce song, and that music replaces the need for food.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paaimarakkappal (1988) features music composed by the veteran music director K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song showcases Mano's expressive vocal rendering during a period when he was frequently singing lead tracks for prominent music directors in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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