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Lyrics & meaning

Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru

From Karuththamma · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Karuththamma1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendruSinging a folk melody with a cool breeze,
Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooralIt scatters a drizzle of pearl-like drops.
Venkaatu pakkakalli sattendru mottuvidaThe roadside cactus in the dry landscape suddenly buds,
Senkaatu sillichedi chillendru poovedukaThe shrub in the red soil field coolly blossoms with flowers.
Male
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendruSinging a folk melody with a cool breeze,
Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooralIt scatters a drizzle of pearl-like drops.
Venkaatu pakkakalli sattendru mottuvidaThe roadside cactus in the dry landscape suddenly buds,
Senkaatu sillichedi chillendru poovedukaThe shrub in the red soil field coolly blossoms with flowers.
Female
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Female
…………………………...
Male
Vaanodum mannodum illaadha vannangalColors that exist neither in the sky nor on the earth,
Pennodum kannodum naan kaangirenI see in this woman and in her eyes.
Female
Thaalaatil illaadha sangeetha svarangalMusical notes that do not exist even in lullabies,
Paaraatum un paatil naan ketkirenI hear in your song that praises me.
Male
Mazhaithuli enna thavam dhaan seithadhoWhat penance did the raindrop perform,
Malar konda maarbodu thotaadudhaeTo play upon the flower-like chest?
Female
Mazhai thuli thotta idam nee theendavoWill you touch the places touched by the raindrops?
Ninaikaiyil ulloora kalloorudhaeThinking of it makes sweet intoxication flow deep within.
Female
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendruSinging a folk melody with a cool breeze,
Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooralIt scatters a drizzle of pearl-like drops.
Venkaatu pakkakalli sattendru mottuvidaThe roadside cactus in the dry landscape suddenly buds,
Senkaatu sillichedi chillendru poovedukaThe shrub in the red soil field coolly blossoms with flowers.
Male
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendruSinging a folk melody with a cool breeze,
Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooralIt scatters a drizzle of pearl-like drops.
Female
Nee endrum naan endrum iru vaarthai ondraagiThe two words 'You' and 'I' became one,
Naam endra oar vaarthai undanadhaeAnd created the single word 'We'.
Male
Aan endrum pen endrum iru vaarthai ondraagiThe two words 'Man' and 'Woman' became one,
Aal endra oar vaarthai undaanadhaeAnd created a single soul.
Female
Kaadhal endra manthirathin maayamennaWhat is the magic of this spell called love?
Kallum mullum ippodhu poovaanadhaeStones and thorns have now turned into flowers.
Male
Vaanavillin thundondru mannil vandhuA piece of the rainbow came down to earth,
Yaarukum sollaamal pennaanadhaeAnd without telling anyone, became a woman.
Female
Thenmerku paruvakaatruWhen the southwest monsoon wind
Thenipakkam veesum pothu saaral inbachaaralBlowing towards the Theni region, brings a sweet drizzle,
Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendruSinging a folk melody with a cool breeze,
Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooralIt scatters a drizzle of pearl-like drops.
Venkaatu pakkakalli sattendru mottuvidaThe roadside cactus in the dry landscape suddenly buds,
Senkaatu sillichedi chillendru poovedukaThe shrub in the red soil field coolly blossoms with flowers.
Female
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm ………..Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thenmerku Paruvakaatru is a celebrated romantic track that draws vivid parallels between the arrival of the southwest monsoon in the rural region of Theni and the refreshing onset of romantic love. Just as the cool rain transforms dry cacti and barren landscapes into vibrant, blooming fields, the feeling of love rejuvenates the lovers' lives, turning harshness into sweetness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliteration (Monaai / Etukai)

Thenmerku paruvakaatru / Thenipakkam veesum pothu

Repetition of the initial 'The' sound across consecutive lines ('Thenmerku', 'Thenipakkam', 'Themmaangu') creating rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Sindhudhamma thooral muthu thooral

Raindrops are directly compared to pearls ('muthu thooral') to highlight their preciousness and beauty.

Personification

Themmaangu paadikondu silusiluvendru

The monsoon wind is personified as a musician singing traditional folk tunes ('Themmaangu') across the countryside.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vairamuthu won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for this song from Karuththamma (1994). The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, and the song was rendered by Unnikrishnan and Chithra.

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