Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thenmalli Poove

From Thyagam · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thyagam1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattraeOh honey-jasmine flower, oh gentle breeze!
En kannae en raani neeyindri naan illaiyaeMy dear eye, my queen, without you I do not exist.
Female
Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattraeOh honey-jasmine flower, oh gentle breeze!
En kannaa en mannaa neeyindri naan illaiyaeMy dear eye, my king, without you I do not exist.
Male
Thaen malli poovae…Oh honey-jasmine flower...
Male
Muthaaram maar meedhu thavazhgindradhuA pearl garland crawls across the chest.
Enakkadhil konjam idamum koduGive me a little space there as well.
Female
Thaerundu neeyundu thirunaalunduThere is a chariot, there is you, there is a festive day.
Thirumagal nenjil thuyil kolla vaaCome rest and sleep on the heart of the Goddess of Fortune.
Male
Ulagamellaam oru nilavuThere is one moon for the entire world.
Female
Idhayamellaam oru ninaivuThere is one single memory across every heart.
En vaazhvin aanandham neeyae…You alone are the joy of my life...
Male
Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattraeOh honey-jasmine flower, oh gentle breeze!
Female
En kannaa en mannaa neeyindri naan illaiyaeMy dear eye, my king, without you I do not exist.
Male
Thaen malli poovae…Oh honey-jasmine flower...
Female
Sevvaazhai pon maeni thudikkindradhuThe golden body like a red banana tree quivers.
Siru thottil thandhu uranga viduGive me a small cradle and let me sleep.
Male
Thithikkum sevvaayum nanaigindradhuThe sweet red lips are getting wet.
Siru mutham thandhu mayanga viduGive a small kiss and let me swoon in ecstasy.
Female
Malargalilae anai amaippomLet us build a dam made of blossoms.
Male
Manmadhanai thunaikkazhaippomLet us invite the Lord of Love (Manmadhan) as our companion.
Iravaedhu pagalaedhu kannaeWhat is night and what is day, my darling?
Female
Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattraeOh honey-jasmine flower, oh gentle breeze!
Male
En kannae en raaniMy dear eye, my queen,
Female
Neeyindri naan illaiyaeWithout you I do not exist.
Male
Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattraeOh honey-jasmine flower, oh gentle breeze!
Thaen malli poovae…Oh honey-jasmine flower...
Female :Aa… aa… aa… mm..mm..mm..Female: Aa... aa... aa... mm..mm..mm..
Aa… aa… aa… } (Overlap)Aa... aa... aa... (Overlap)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thaen Malli Poovae' is a classic romantic duet from the 1978 Tamil film Thyagam. Penned by Kaviyarasu Kannadasan, the song captures an intimate conversation between two lovers expressing their deep affection, emotional codependency, and physical yearning for each other. The lyrics feature delicate romantic imagery where the lovers compare each other to sweet flowers, soothing breezes, and celestial beauty. The song progresses through sensory metaphors—such as pearl necklaces resting on the chest, golden bodies quivering, and building dams of flowers—symbolizing passion and togetherness. Ultimately, the lovers affirm that time, day, and night lose meaning in each other's embrace, establishing their love as timeless and irreplaceable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Thaen malli poovae poonthendral kaattrae

Comparing the lover to 'Thaen malli poovae' (sweet jasmine flower) and 'poonthendral kaattrae' (soft breeze) to evoke tenderness and natural beauty.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Ulagamellaam oru nilavu / Idhayamellaam oru ninaivu

Rhyming of the second consonant in consecutive lines ('la' in Ulagamellaam and Idhayamellaam).

Monaai (Initial Rhyming / Alliteration)

Sevvaazhai pon maeni thudikkindradhu / Siru thottil thandhu uranga vidu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'S' in 'Sevvaazhai' and 'Siru'.

Anaphora / Refrain

En kannae en raani neeyindri naan illaiyae

Repetition of 'neeyindri naan illaiyae' throughout the song reinforces the central thematic message of complete togetherness.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thyagam' (1978) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. The music for this evergreen track was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by T.M. Soundararajan and S. Janaki.

Keep listening

More from Thyagam