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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theriyuma Theriyuma

From Pasamum Nesamum · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. M. Raja
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Pasamum Nesamum1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theriyuma theriyumaDo you know, do you know?
Punnagai seidhaenI smiled.
Mottu pola vaai thirandhuOpening her mouth like a flower bud,
Sittu pola vaarthai solliSpeaking words like a little bird,
Vittu pona saedhiyenna theriyumaDo you know what news she left behind?
Theriyuma theriyumaDo you know, do you know?
Punnagai seidhaenI smiled.
Male
Poovai pola irukkiraalShe is like a flower,
Pottu pola nadakkiraalShe walks delicately like a bindi dot,
Poovai pola irukkiraalShe is like a flower,
Pottu pola nadakkiraalShe walks delicately like a bindi dot,
Kuzhndhai pola sirikkiraalShe laughs like a child,
Kurumbhu paarvai paarkkiraalShe casts a mischievous, playful gaze.
Theriyuma theriyumaDo you know, do you know?
Male
Muthu muthu rathinamA pearl-like precious gem,
Mogha vanna sithiramA colorful portrait of desire,
Muthu muthu rathinamA pearl-like precious gem,
Mogha vanna sithiramA colorful portrait of desire,
Pattu pola maeniyilOn a body soft like silk,
Katti veitha kaaviyamA bound epic masterpiece.
Theriyuma theriyumaDo you know, do you know?
Male
Kalangamattra ooviyamA flawless, unblemished painting,
Kann niraindha oviyamA painting that fills the eyes,
Kalangamattra ooviyamA flawless, unblemished painting,
Kann niraindha oviyamA painting that fills the eyes,
Paarthu paarthu ezhudhinaalIf painted with deep devotion,
Parisu vangum oviyamIt is a painting that wins grand prizes.
Theriyuma theriyumaDo you know, do you know?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic song from the 1964 film Pasamum Nesamum, the protagonist fondly reminisces and praises the innocent charm and radiant beauty of his beloved. He compares her delicate expressions to a flower bud opening, her chirping words to a little bird, her smile to that of an innocent child, and her entire physical being to a prize-winning, flawless masterpiece crafted on silk. Penned by Kannadasan and rendered by A. M. Raja to S. Vedhachalam's composition, the song effectively conveys the joyful euphoria of love through rhythmic praise, captivating imagery, and repeated rhetorical inquiries of 'Theriyuma' (Do you know?).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Mottu pola vaai thirandhu / Sittu pola vaarthai solli

Compares her mouth opening to a flower bud ('Mottu pola') and her speech to a bird chirping ('Sittu pola').

Refrain / Repetition (Anaphora)

Theriyuma theriyuma

The rhetorical phrase 'Theriyuma theriyuma' ('Do you know?') is repeated at the start and end of stanzas to build rhythmic engagement.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Etukai & Monai)

Muthu muthu rathinam / Mogha vanna sithiram

Matching opening sound patterns and secondary consonant harmony across lines like 'Muthu muthu' and 'Mogha vanna'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Katti veitha kaaviyam / Parisu vangum oviyam

Directly framing the beloved's frame as a bound epic poem ('kaaviyam') and a award-winning portrait ('parisu vangum oviyam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Pasamum Nesamum (1964) featured music composed by S. Vedhachalam, with lyrics by the legendary poet Kaviarasu Kannadasan and vocals by the famed playback singer A. M. Raja.

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