Thenpandi Thamizhe Sad
From Paasa Paravaigal · 1988
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Paasa Paravaigal1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Isai paadum oru kaaviyam | A musical epic poem, |
| Ithu ravi varmavin ooviyam | This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma. |
| Paasam ennum aalayam | A temple made of pure affection, |
| Indru paadum sogam aayiram | Today it sings a thousand sorrows. |
| Male | |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Kodu meeri ponathae | The boundaries have been crossed, |
| Pottu vaitha pulligal | The carefully placed dots... |
| Kolam maari ponathae | The rangoli pattern has changed completely. |
| Veetil indru nilamaigal | Such is the condition in the house today. |
| Male | |
| Anbu ennum thoondilae | Trapped on the fishhook of affection, |
| Vaadum intha poonguyil | This flower-like cuckoo wilts away. |
| Soga raagam paaduthae | It sings a melody of grief, |
| Thunbam kandu vaaduthae | It wilts upon seeing this suffering. |
| Male | |
| Thaavi vandha pillaiyum | Even the child who came leaping in joy, |
| Thaayai paarthu thavikudhae | Struggles in anguish looking at the mother. |
| Thaayai pondra annanum | And the elder brother who is like a mother, |
| Pona naalai nenaikudhae | Remembers the days that have passed. |
| Male | |
| Serntha paathai pirindhadhae | The path we walked together has split, |
| Sendra kaalam marandhadhae | The time gone by has been forgotten. |
| Naalum enna sodhanai | What a trial every single day! |
| Indru intha vedhanai | Today, this unbearable pain... |
| Ada enna indha vedhanai | Ah, what is this agonizing pain! |
| Male | |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Dhegam veru aagalam | Our physical bodies may be different, |
| Jeevan ondruthanamma | But our soul is strictly one, my dear. |
| Kaalam maari pogalaam | Times may change and pass, |
| En anbu ondru thaan amma | But my affection remains the same, my dear. |
| Male | |
| Kandru kanda thaai pasu | Like a mother cow seeing her calf, |
| Thunbam kandu vaaduthu | It wilts upon witnessing this distress. |
| Indru enna aanathu | What has happened to us today? |
| Yekkam kondu vazhuthu | It lives on in deep yearning. |
| Male | |
| Koodu vazhum kuruvigal | Birds that lived in the same nest, |
| Paadum paasa paravaigal | The birds of affection that sing together, |
| Serndhu vantha uravilae | In the bond that once united us, |
| Indru enna pirivinai | What is this painful separation today? |
| Male | |
| Anbu endra nainavuthaan | Did the memory known as love... |
| Maranthathenna manathinai | Forget the heart completely? |
| Kannil vantha kaaviri | The River Kaveri of tears in the eyes, |
| Indru theernthu ponathae | Has dried up today. |
| Vazhi paadhai maari ponathae | The path of life has lost its way. |
| Male | |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Male | |
| Isai paadum oru kaaviyam | A musical epic poem, |
| Ithu ravi varmavin ooviyam | This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma. |
| Paasam ennum aalayam | A temple made of pure affection, |
| Indru paadum sogam aayiram | Today it sings a thousand sorrows. |
| Male | |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
| Then paandi thamizhae | O sweet southern Pandia Tamil! |
| En singaara kuyilae | My beautiful cuckoo! |
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
இசை பாடும் ஒரு
காவியம் இது ரவிவர்மாவின்
ஓவியம் பாசம் என்னும் ஆலயம்
இன்று பாடும் சோகம் ஆயிரம்
A musical epic poem,
This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma.
A temple made of pure affection,
Today it sings a thousand sorrows.
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
கோடு மீறி போனதே
போட்டு வைத்த புள்ளிகள்
கோலம் மாறி போனதே
வீட்டில் இன்று நிலைமைகள்
The boundaries have been crossed,
The carefully placed dots...
The rangoli pattern has changed completely.
Such is the condition in the house today.
அன்பு என்னும் தூண்டிலே
வாடும் இந்த பூங்குயில் சோக
ராகம் பாடுதே துன்பம் கண்டு
வாடுதே
Trapped on the fishhook of affection,
This flower-like cuckoo wilts away.
It sings a melody of grief,
It wilts upon seeing this suffering.
தாவி வந்த பிள்ளையும்
தாயை பார்த்து தவிக்குதே
தாயை போன்ற அண்ணனும்
போன நாளை நினைக்குதே
Even the child who came leaping in joy,
Struggles in anguish looking at the mother.
And the elder brother who is like a mother,
Remembers the days that have passed.
சேர்ந்த பாதை பிரிந்ததே
சென்ற காலம் மறந்ததே நாளும்
என்ன சோதனை இன்று இந்த
வேதனை அட என்ன இந்த
வேதனை
The path we walked together has split,
The time gone by has been forgotten.
What a trial every single day!
Today, this unbearable pain...
Ah, what is this agonizing pain!
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
தேகம் வேறு ஆகலாம்
ஜீவன் ஒன்று தானம்மா காலம்
மாறி போகலாம் என் அன்பு
ஒன்று தான் அம்மா
Our physical bodies may be different,
But our soul is strictly one, my dear.
Times may change and pass,
But my affection remains the same, my dear.
கன்று கண்ட தாய்
பசு துன்பம் கண்டு வாடுது
இன்று என்ன ஆனது ஏக்கம்
கொண்டு வாழுது
Like a mother cow seeing her calf,
It wilts upon witnessing this distress.
What has happened to us today?
It lives on in deep yearning.
கூடு வாழும் குருவிகள்
பாடும் பாச பறவைகள் சேர்ந்து
வந்த உறவிலே இன்று என்ன
பிரிவினை
Birds that lived in the same nest,
The birds of affection that sing together,
In the bond that once united us,
What is this painful separation today?
அன்பு என்ற நினைவு
தான் மறந்ததென்ன மனதினை
கண்ணில் வந்த காவிரி இன்று
தீர்ந்து போனதே வழி பாதை
மாறி போனதே
Did the memory known as love...
Forget the heart completely?
The River Kaveri of tears in the eyes,
Has dried up today.
The path of life has lost its way.
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
இசை பாடும் ஒரு
காவியம் இது ரவிவர்மாவின்
ஓவியம் பாசம் என்னும் ஆலயம்
இன்று பாடும் சோகம் ஆயிரம்
A musical epic poem,
This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma.
A temple made of pure affection,
Today it sings a thousand sorrows.
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
தென்பாண்டி தமிழே
என் சிங்கார குயிலே
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
My beautiful cuckoo!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Isai paadum oru kaaviyam
A musical epic poem,
Ithu ravi varmavin ooviyam
This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma.
Paasam ennum aalayam
A temple made of pure affection,
Indru paadum sogam aayiram
Today it sings a thousand sorrows.
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Kodu meeri ponathae
The boundaries have been crossed,
Pottu vaitha pulligal
The carefully placed dots...
Kolam maari ponathae
The rangoli pattern has changed completely.
Veetil indru nilamaigal
Such is the condition in the house today.
Anbu ennum thoondilae
Trapped on the fishhook of affection,
Vaadum intha poonguyil
This flower-like cuckoo wilts away.
Soga raagam paaduthae
It sings a melody of grief,
Thunbam kandu vaaduthae
It wilts upon seeing this suffering.
Thaavi vandha pillaiyum
Even the child who came leaping in joy,
Thaayai paarthu thavikudhae
Struggles in anguish looking at the mother.
Thaayai pondra annanum
And the elder brother who is like a mother,
Pona naalai nenaikudhae
Remembers the days that have passed.
Serntha paathai pirindhadhae
The path we walked together has split,
Sendra kaalam marandhadhae
The time gone by has been forgotten.
Naalum enna sodhanai
What a trial every single day!
Indru intha vedhanai
Today, this unbearable pain...
Ada enna indha vedhanai
Ah, what is this agonizing pain!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Dhegam veru aagalam
Our physical bodies may be different,
Jeevan ondruthanamma
But our soul is strictly one, my dear.
Kaalam maari pogalaam
Times may change and pass,
En anbu ondru thaan amma
But my affection remains the same, my dear.
Kandru kanda thaai pasu
Like a mother cow seeing her calf,
Thunbam kandu vaaduthu
It wilts upon witnessing this distress.
Indru enna aanathu
What has happened to us today?
Yekkam kondu vazhuthu
It lives on in deep yearning.
Koodu vazhum kuruvigal
Birds that lived in the same nest,
Paadum paasa paravaigal
The birds of affection that sing together,
Serndhu vantha uravilae
In the bond that once united us,
Indru enna pirivinai
What is this painful separation today?
Anbu endra nainavuthaan
Did the memory known as love...
Maranthathenna manathinai
Forget the heart completely?
Kannil vantha kaaviri
The River Kaveri of tears in the eyes,
Indru theernthu ponathae
Has dried up today.
Vazhi paadhai maari ponathae
The path of life has lost its way.
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Isai paadum oru kaaviyam
A musical epic poem,
Ithu ravi varmavin ooviyam
This is a masterpiece painting of Raja Ravi Varma.
Paasam ennum aalayam
A temple made of pure affection,
Indru paadum sogam aayiram
Today it sings a thousand sorrows.
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Then paandi thamizhae
O sweet southern Pandia Tamil!
En singaara kuyilae
My beautiful cuckoo!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Then Paandi Thamizhae is a poignant song depicting the pain of familial separation, grief, and the breakdown of household harmony. The speaker compares the warmth and beauty of family love to sweet Southern Tamil, a masterpiece painting by Raja Ravi Varma, and a temple constructed of pure affection. The lyrics mourn how fate has disrupted their peaceful life, altering the neat patterns of their home like a ruined Kolam. The song emphasizes that while physical bodies may be distinct, the soul and love shared among siblings remain united. Through melancholic imagery of a mother cow yearning for her calf and nesting birds torn apart, the track conveys the deep emotional anguish of lost unity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ithu ravi varmavin ooviyam”
Compares the ideal family unit to a classic painting by Raja Ravi Varma, emphasizing aesthetic perfection and deep emotional richness.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Paasam ennum aalayam”
Compares the concept of familial love/affection to a sacred temple (aalayam).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Thaayai pondra annanum”
Uses 'pondra' (like) to compare the protective, loving elder brother to a mother.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kannil vantha kaaviri”
Compares continuous flowing tears in the eyes to the grand River Kaveri.
Did you know?
Trivia
Though listed here with unknown credits, the iconic track 'Then Paandi Thamizhae' from Paasa Paravaigal (1988) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The male version was rendered by K. J. Yesudas and the duet version featured K. S. Chithra alongside K. J. Yesudas. The song is famed for its classic melody and deeply emotional themes centered on sibling bonds.
Keep listening
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