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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theriyadho Nokku

From Suryaganthi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Manorama
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Suryaganthi1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Theriyatho nokku theriyaathoDon't you know? Don't you know?
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathuFalling in love at a young age
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaathoDon't you know that it seems like madness?
Female
Theriyatho nokku theriyaathoDon't you know? Don't you know?
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathuFalling in love at a young age
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaathoDon't you know that it seems like madness?
Female
Avaalavaa aaththukkullaeInside each of their respective homes
Aayiram irukkumA thousand things happen
Kadhal aarmbikkum neram mudhalFrom the moment love begins
Naadagam irukkumDrama unfolds
Female
Thaanaa sirippaa ava thaniyaa nadappaaShe laughs to herself, she walks alone
Yaedho ninaippaa chummaaThinking of something, she simply
Pesindae iruppaaKeeps talking to herself
Female
Theriyatho nokku theriyaathoDon't you know? Don't you know?
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathuFalling in love at a young age
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaathoDon't you know that it seems like madness?
Female
Poojaikkaaga poravaapolPretending to go for temple worship
Aambilai povanThe man goes
Angae poojai thedi pommaanaattiSeeking worship there, the woman
Neraththil varuvaaArrives right on time
Female
Samiya kandaalaa ava poojaiya kandaalaaDid she see God, or did she see the worship ritual?
Samiya kandaalaa ava poojaiya kandaalaaDid she see God, or did she see the worship ritual?
Vantha moorththiya kandaalaaDid she look at the idol that arrived?
Paiyan moonjiya kandaalaaOr did she look at the boy's face?
Female
Theriyatho nokku theriyaathoDon't you know? Don't you know?
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathuFalling in love at a young age
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaathoDon't you know that it seems like madness?
Female
Padaththa paaththu patta paaduInspired by watching movies, the struggles
Nadaththi paakkuraanHe tries to enact in reality
Cinima padaththa paaththu patta paaduInspired by watching cinema movies, the struggles
Nadaththi paakkuraanHe tries to enact in reality
Ava pazhaiya kaala duet paatta paadi paakkaraaShe tries singing old-style duet songs
Female
Manamoganaanga anangaOh handsome beloved, my heart
Vaaduthae kanavilum en manamWilts even in my dreams
Female
Tharaiyil uruluraaShe rolls on the floor
Avan thalaiyai thadavuraanHe strokes her head
Iva tharaiyil urularaaShe rolls on the floor
Avan thalaiyai thadavuraanHe strokes her head
Araiyil nadappathaiWhatever happens inside the private room
Ava ambalamaakkuraaShe makes public to the whole world!
Female
Theriyatho nokku theriyaathoDon't you know? Don't you know?
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathuFalling in love at a young age
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaathoDon't you know that it seems like madness?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous and satirical track sung by legendary veteran actress Manorama offers a playful commentary on youth romance and youthful infatuation. Using a mix of conversational Brahmin dialect ('nokku', 'avaalavaa') and colloquial Tamil, the narrator pokes fun at how young lovers behave as though they are possessed or mad, engaging in dramatic antics both at home and in public places like temples.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho

Comparing the behavior of young lovers in love to 'paiththiyam' (madness).

Sociolect / Dialectal Diction

Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho

Use of specific Brahmin Tamil dialect terms like 'nokku' (you/to you) and 'avaalavaa' (their own) to give the character a distinct voice.

Irony and Rhetorical Questions

Vantha moorththiya kandaalaa Paiyan moonjiya kandaalaa

Using questions to highlight the hypocrisy of lovers going to temples ostensibly for prayer but actually to meet each other.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Suryaganthi' (1973), legendary comedian-actress Manorama showcased her incredible vocal range and comic timing in this solo song composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Kannadasan cleverly incorporated colloquial Brahmin vocabulary into the lyrics, which became one of Manorama's famous signature stage performance songs.

Keep listening

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