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Paaimarakkappal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thendral Oru Paattu

From Paaimarakkappal · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Mano
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Paaimarakkappal
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
4 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Pattu marathadhinnu paavi manam thudikirathu
Thoorathu kuyil vandhu solli kodukkirathu
Megam irangi vandhu raagam padikkirathu
Aalaana poovellam pera solli koopidudhu
Sangeetham irukkaiyilae saapadu thevai illai
Sangeetham irukkaiyilae saapadu thevai illai
Thoonagaiyilum paattu varum
Naan onnum oomaiyillai
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Yerikaraiyil ellam empaattu ketkuthamma
Naan pogum paadhaiyellam maan kootam varuguthamma
Yedho oru kanavu en nenjil irukkuthamma
Kandu varum kanavellam naalai palikkum amma
Sithiraiyil veil adichaa
Kaarthigaiyil mazhai varum
Sithiraiyil veil adichaa
Kaarthigaiyil mazhai varum
Ezhuthukku velai varum
Kazhuthukku maalai varum
Thendral oru pattu kattum
Vandu vandhu mettu kattum
Odaiyellaam thaalam sollum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
Adhai kettukittae kaalam sellum
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
Every stream keeps the rhythm,
And listening to it, time drifts by.
Every stream keeps the rhythm,
And listening to it, time drifts by.
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
Thinking I forgot my songs, my poor heart aches,
A cuckoo from afar comes to teach me.
The clouds descend to sing a melody,
All the blossomed flowers call out my name.
When there is music, there is no need for food,
When there is music, there is no need for food.
Even in my sleep, songs still flow,
I am not someone who is mute.
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
Every stream keeps the rhythm,
And listening to it, time drifts by.
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
All along the lake shore, my song is heard,
A herd of deer follows every path I walk.
A certain dream lives inside my heart,
Every dream I see will come true tomorrow.
If the sun blazes in Chithirai (summer),
The rains will surely come in Karthigai (monsoon season).
If the sun blazes in Chithirai (summer),
The rains will surely come in Karthigai (monsoon season).
The right time will come for my writing,
And a garland will adorn my neck.
The gentle breeze composes a song,
A beetle comes and sets the tune.
Every stream keeps the rhythm,
And listening to it, time drifts by.
And listening to it, time drifts by.
And listening to it, time drifts by...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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