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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thenkinnam Thenkinnam

From Thenkinnam · 1971

Lyricist
Kumaradevan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thenkinnam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Female :Paalannam paalannamLike a graceful swan fed on milk,
Pazhagum vidhaththil paalannamIn her endearing ways, she is like a gentle swan.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Female :Paalannam paalannamLike a graceful swan fed on milk,
Pazhagum vidhaththil paalannamIn her endearing ways, she is like a gentle swan.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Female
Ulaga vaazhvai inbamaakkaTo make worldly life filled with happiness,
Vanthaval penthaanaeIt is woman who came into this world.
Unmai anbaal uravai valarththuNurturing relationships with true love,
Thanthaval penthaanaeIt is woman who gave us everything.
Female
Ulaga vaazhvai inbamaakkaTo make worldly life filled with happiness,
Vanthaval penthaanaeIt is woman who came into this world.
Unmai anbaal uravai valarththuNurturing relationships with true love,
Thanthaval penthaanaeIt is woman who gave us everything.
Female
Kula permaiyai kaappaval penthaanaeIt is woman who protects the family honor,
Antha pennae ulagin kannthaanaeThat woman is indeed the very eye of the world.
Kula permaiyai kaappaval penthaanaeIt is woman who protects the family honor,
Antha pennae ulagin kannthaanaeThat woman is indeed the very eye of the world.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Paalannam paalannamLike a graceful swan fed on milk,
Pazhagum vidhaththil paalannamIn her endearing ways, she is like a gentle swan.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Female
Solakkaattu pommaiyai polaLike a scarecrow standing in a cornfield,
Soottai pottukittuDressed up in a western suit,
Soli ravikkai selai thuniyilWearing a blouse and saree with stylish tags attached,
Slog-aiyum maattikittuHanging fashionable slogans on your attire,
Female
Ippa engalai suththum yaemaaliYou fool who hovers around us now,
Nee ispad raja komaaliYou are just a joker next to the King of Spades.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Female
Udaiyai paarththu nadaiyai paarththuJust looking at her attire and her gait,
Edaiyai podaathaeDo not judge or weigh her worth.
Sadaiyai paarththu idaiyai paarththuLooking at her braided hair and her waist,
Kadaiyai virikkaathaeDo not set up a shop to allure her.
Female
Udaiyai paarththu nadaiyai paarththuJust looking at her attire and her gait,
Edaiyai podaathaeDo not judge or weigh her worth.
Sadaiyai paarththu idaiyai paarththuLooking at her braided hair and her waist,
Kadaiyai virikkaathaeDo not set up a shop to allure her.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.
Paalannam paalannamLike a graceful swan fed on milk,
Pazhagum vidhaththil paalannamIn her endearing ways, she is like a gentle swan.
Female
Thean kinnam thaen kinnamHoney cup, honey cup,
Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnamIn her youth, a woman is a cup of honey.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thean Kinnam' is a rhythmic celebration of womanhood that balances admiration with a strong message of self-respect. It opens by comparing a young woman in her prime to a sweet cup of honey and a tender swan, honoring her vital role in bringing happiness to life, cultivating genuine relationships, and safeguarding family honor as the guiding light of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Paruvaththil pennoru thaen kinnam

Compares a young woman to a cup of honey ('thaen kinnam') and the eye of the world ('ulagin kannthaanae'), highlighting her sweetness and importance.

Simile (Uvamai)

Solakkaattu pommaiyai pola

Compares a foolish man attempting to look modern in a suit to a scarecrow ('solakkaattu pommai') standing in a cornfield.

Internal Rhyme & Repetition (Iyaibu / Monai)

Udaiyai paarththu nadaiyai paarththu

Uses parallel rhythmic phrasing 'Udaiyai paarththu nadaiyai paarththu' and 'Sadaiyai paarththu idaiyai paarththu' to create a catchy, lyrical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Thean Kinnam' is the title track of the 1971 comedy-drama film 'Thenkinnam', starring comedian Nagesh and Vijaya Lalitha. Composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and written by lyricist Kumaradevan, the track highlights P. Susheela's playful vocal delivery.

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