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Isaimozhi
Suryaganthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Theriyadho Nokku

From Suryaganthi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Manorama
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Suryaganthi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
16 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathu
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho
Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathu
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho
Avaalavaa aaththukkullae
Aayiram irukkum
Kadhal aarmbikkum neram mudhal
Naadagam irukkum
Thaanaa sirippaa ava thaniyaa nadappaa
Yaedho ninaippaa chummaa
Pesindae iruppaa
Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathu
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho
Poojaikkaaga poravaapol
Aambilai povan
Angae poojai thedi pommaanaatti
Neraththil varuvaa
Samiya kandaalaa ava poojaiya kandaalaa
Samiya kandaalaa ava poojaiya kandaalaa
Vantha moorththiya kandaalaa
Paiyan moonjiya kandaalaa
Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathu
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho
Padaththa paaththu patta paadu
Nadaththi paakkuraan
Cinima padaththa paaththu patta paadu
Nadaththi paakkuraan
Ava pazhaiya kaala duet paatta paadi paakkaraa
Manamoganaanga ananga
Vaaduthae kanavilum en manam
Tharaiyil uruluraa
Avan thalaiyai thadavuraan
Iva tharaiyil urularaa
Avan thalaiyai thadavuraan
Araiyil nadappathai
Ava ambalamaakkuraa
Theriyatho nokku theriyaatho
Chinna paruvaththilae kadhalippathu
Paiththiyam pol thonumunnu theriyaatho
Don't you know? Don't you know?
That falling in love at a young age
Makes you look like you've gone mad—don't you know?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
That falling in love at a young age
Makes you look like you've gone mad—don't you know?
In everyone's own household,
A thousand things are going on.
But from the moment love begins,
It's nonstop drama!
She smiles to herself, she walks all alone,
Lost in her thoughts,
She just keeps talking to herself!
Don't you know? Don't you know?
That falling in love at a young age
Makes you look like you've gone mad—don't you know?
Pretending he is going to pray,
The boy walks out.
And in search of "prayers", the girl
Arrives right on time!
Did she look at God? Did she notice the prayers?
Did she look at God? Did she notice the prayers?
Did she look at the holy idol there,
Or was she only staring at the boy's face?
Don't you know? Don't you know?
That falling in love at a young age
Makes you look like you've gone mad—don't you know?
From watching movies, struggling so hard,
He tries acting it out!
Watching cinema films, struggling so hard,
He tries acting it out!
And she tries singing an old-time duet song!
"Oh charming god of love..."
"My heart pines even in my dreams..."
She rolls around on the floor,
While he strokes his hair!
She rolls around on the floor,
While he strokes his hair!
Things meant to happen inside a private room,
She puts out in the open for all to see!
Don't you know? Don't you know?
That falling in love at a young age
Makes you look like you've gone mad—don't you know?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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