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Isaimozhi
Kadhal Desam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thendrale

From Kadhal Desam · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Unnikrishnan, Mano, Dominique Cerejo
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Kadhal Desam
Movie release year
1996
Lyrics added on
30 Aug 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmm…mmm…hmmm…mmmm
{Thendralae thendralae
Mella nee veesu
Poovudan mella nee peesu} (2)
Karaiyin madiyil
Nadhiyum thoongum
Kavalai marandhu thoongu
Iravin madiyil ulagam thoongum
Iniya kanavil thoongu
Thendralae thendralae
Mella nee veesu
Poovudan mella nee peesu
Ooo….eeehhhh..aaa…….
Ehhhhh..oooo….ohhhhh….
Kaadhal endraal kavalaiya
Kannil neerin thivalaiya
Noi aanen uyirum nee aanen
Iravil kaayum muzhu nila
Enakku mattum sudum nila
Vaaraiyo enai nee seraiyo
Thoonga vaikkum nilavae
Thookam indri neeyae vaadinaiyo
Thendralae thendralae
Mella nee veesu
Poovudan mella nee peesu
……………………………
Maalai vaanil kadhirum saiyum
Madiyil saaindhu thoongada
Boomi yaavum thoongum podhu
Poovai neeyum thoongada
Malarin kaadhal panikku theriyum
En manadhin kaadhal theriyumaa
Solla varthai kodi dhan
Unnai neril kandaal mounam en
Thoonga vaikka paadinen naan
Thookamindri vaadinen
{Thendralae thendralae
Mella nee veesu
Poovudan mella nee peesu} (2)
Hmmm…mmm…hmmm…mmmm
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmmm...
Gentle breeze, gentle breeze,
blow softly.
Speak softly to the flower.
In the lap of the riverbank,
even the river falls asleep.
Forget your worries and sleep.
In the lap of the night, the whole world sleeps;
sleep in sweet dreams.
Gentle breeze, gentle breeze,
blow softly.
Speak softly to the flower.
Oh... eeehh... aaa...
Ehhh... oooo... ohhh...
Is love nothing but worry?
Is it only tears in the eyes?
I became lovesick, yet you became my very life.
The full moon that shines in the night sky
burns only me.
Won't you come? Won't you be with me?
O moon that lulls the world to sleep,
are you too fading away without sleep?
Gentle breeze, gentle breeze,
blow softly.
Speak softly to the flower.
...
In the evening sky, the sun is setting;
rest on my lap and sleep, my dear.
When the whole earth is asleep,
you too, my flower, go to sleep.
The morning dew knows the love of the flower,
but does anyone know the love in my heart?
There are millions of words to say,
so why does silence take over when I see you in person?
I sang a lullaby to put you to sleep,
while I withered away without sleep myself.
Gentle breeze, gentle breeze,
blow softly.
Speak softly to the flower.
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmmm...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Thendralae Thendralae is a soulful lullaby from Kadhal Desam that blends comfort, deep affection, and unexpressed sorrow. The speaker uses soft imagery from nature—such as the river resting on the shore, the breeze whispering to flowers, and the world sleeping under the night sky—to soothe a troubled beloved into a peaceful slumber.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Poovudan mella nee peesu”

The breeze is given human attributes, gently whispering and conversing with a flower.

Oxymoron / Metaphor

“Enakku mattum sudum nila”

The cool full moon is metaphorically depicted as a burning entity ('sudum nila') to represent the burning agony of unfulfilled love.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Thoonga vaikka paadinen naan / Thookamindri vaadinen”

The second letter harmony ('oo') between 'Thoonga' and 'Thookam' creates a soft, repetitive lullaby rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman for the 1996 hit movie 'Kadhal Desam' (directed by Kathir), this song features soothing vocals by P. Unnikrishnan and Mano. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lines as a comforting lullaby that simultaneously carries underlying themes of silent love and emotional sacrifice.

Keep listening

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Chellakkiliye Female1966
Petralthan PillaiyaLongingNature
Chellakkiliye Male1966
Petralthan PillaiyaNatureTender
Pani Vizhum Poo Nilavil1980
Thai PongalNatureBeauty
Aaraaro Nee Aaraaro1948
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