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Isaimozhi
Paasa Paravaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thenpandi Thamizhe

From Paasa Paravaigal · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paasa Paravaigal
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
19 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Isai paadum oru kaaviyam
Idhu ravi varmavin oviyam
Paasam enum aalayam
Unai paada vendum aayiram
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Vaazhthi unnai paadavae
Vaarthai thondravillaiyae
Male :Paarthu paarthu kannilae
Paasam maara villaiyae
Anbu enum koondilae
Aadi paadum poonguyil
Aasai dheepam yettruthae
Annan unnai pottruthae
Thaavi vandha pillaiyae
Thaayai paarthathu illaiye
Thaavi vandha pillaiyae
Thaayai paarthathu illaiyae
Thaayai pola paarkkiren
Veru paarvai illaiyae
Male :Manjalodu kungumam kondu
Vaazha vendumae
Nee endrum vaazha vendumae
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Isai paadum oru kaaviyam
Idhu ravi varmavin oviyam
Paasam enum aalayam
Unai paada vendum aayiram
Thenpaandi thamizhae en singaara kuyilae
Aahhhaaa..aaaahaaa..
Dhegam veru aagalaam
Jeevan ondru thaan amma
Anbu kondu paadidum
Annan ennai paramma
Kovil thevai illaiyae
Neril vantha kovilae
Paadum enthan paavilae
Naalum vaazhum dhevanae
Koodu vaazhum kuruvigal
Paadum paasa paravaigal
Koodu vaazhum kuruvigal
Paadum paasa paravaigal
Vaazhthuven unai potruven
Vaazhvellaam unai yetruven
Female :Kaalam kaalam yaavilum
Sernthu vaazha vendumae
Naam sernthu vaazha vendumae
Thenpaandi thamizhae…Female :En singaara kuyilae
Male :Thenpaandi thamizhae…Female :En singaara kuyilae
Isai paadum oru kaaviyam
Idhu ravi varmavin oviyam
Male : Paasam enum aalayam
Unai paada vendum aayiram
Thenpaandi thamizhae…Male :En singaara kuyilae
Female :Thenpaandi thamizhae…Male :En singaara kuyilae
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
An epic singing its own melody,
A painting created by Ravi Varma,
A temple made of pure affection,
A thousand songs should be sung of you!
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
To sing your praises and bless you,
I can find no words.
Male: As my eyes gaze at you endlessly,
The deep love in them never fades.
Inside this nest of love,
You are a sweet cuckoo dancing and singing.
Lighting a lamp of fond hopes,
Your brother cherishes you so deeply.
My little child who came running into my arms,
You never had the chance to see our mother.
My little child who came running into my arms,
You never had the chance to see our mother.
I care for you just like a mother would,
With no other thought in my heart.
Male: Blessed with turmeric and kumkum (auspicious red powder),
May you live a long and happy life,
May you always live happily forever!
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
An epic singing its own melody,
A painting created by Ravi Varma,
A temple made of pure affection,
A thousand songs should be sung of you!
Sweet southern Tamil, my beautiful cuckoo bird,
Aaaa... Aaaa...
Our bodies may be two separate forms,
Yet our soul is truly one, my dear.
Singing with so much affection,
Look at me, your brother!
There is no need for a stone temple,
When you are a living temple right before my eyes!
In every song that I sing,
You are the divine presence who lives forever!
Little birds sharing a single nest,
We are affectionate birds singing together.
Little birds sharing a single nest,
We are affectionate birds singing together.
I will bless you and cherish you,
I will hold you close throughout my life.
Female: Across all times and ages,
We must live together,
We must always live together!
Sweet southern Tamil... Female: My beautiful cuckoo bird,
Male: Sweet southern Tamil... Female: My beautiful cuckoo bird,
An epic singing its own melody,
A painting created by Ravi Varma,
Male: A temple made of pure affection,
A thousand songs should be sung of you!
Sweet southern Tamil... Male: My beautiful cuckoo bird,
Female: Sweet southern Tamil... Male: My beautiful cuckoo bird!
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Thenpaandi Thamizhae is an emotional duet celebrating the pure, selfless bond between siblings. The elder brother expresses deep maternal affection towards his sister, who lost her mother at a young age. He vows to protect her and compares her beauty and innocence to a classic masterpiece painting by Raja Ravi Varma and sweet Southern Pandian Tamil poetry. He reassures her that although their physical bodies are distinct, their souls remain bound together as one. The sister responds with equal reverence and devotion, wishing for their familial harmony to persist through time. The song vividly portrays familial devotion, unconditional love, and sacrifice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Rupaka)

Isai paadum oru kaaviyam / Idhu ravi varmavin oviyam

Compares the beloved sister directly to a painting by Raja Ravi Varma and a musical epic to emphasize her rare beauty and purity.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Paasam enum aalayam

Describes love and affection as a sacred temple.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thaavi vandha pillaiyae / Thaayai paarthathu illaiyae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Tha' across consecutive lines.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Koodu vaazhum kuruvigal / Paadum paasa paravaigal

Matching of the second consonant 'oo' sound in consecutive lines ('Koodu' and 'Paadum').

Keep listening

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