Therkathi Seemakkari
From Tamizh Ponnu · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Tamizh Ponnu1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | |
| Male | |
| Therkaththi seemakkaari | Girl from the southern land, |
| Themmaangu paattukaari | Singer of folk melodies, |
| Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu | Compose and sing a song on your cousin! |
| Sonthamulla jodi thedi | Searching for a rightful soulmate, |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around; |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Female | |
| Therkkaththi seemakkaaraa | Boy from the southern land, |
| Themmaangu paattukkaaraa | Singer of folk melodies, |
| Thirunelveli paattu onnu paadu | Sing a song native to Thirunelveli! |
| Sonthamulla jodi thedi | Searching for a rightful soulmate, |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around; |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Female | |
| Maanthoppil maangaa thantha | Is he the one who gave me a mango in the mango grove? |
| Machchaankaaram ivanthaanaa | Is this affectionate cousin really him? |
| Malluvetti katti vanthaan | He arrived wearing a traditional folded dhoti, |
| Mallukatta viduvenaa | Will I ever let him wrestle or fight? |
| Male | |
| Paavaadai sariya sariya | Is she the girl who got scared, |
| Payanthu ponava ivathaanaa | When her skirt slipped down in childhood? |
| Uluthangali thinnu vantha pachchakkili neethaanaa | Are you the innocent green parrot raised on black gram porridge? |
| Female | |
| Machchaan unna ninaikkaiyil | Oh cousin, when I think of you, |
| Thudikkuthu adi vayiru | My lower abdomen twinges with excitement! |
| Male :Mayilae unna nenaikkaiyil | Male: Oh peacock, when I think of you, |
| Odharuthu en ushuru | My very life force shivers! |
| Female | |
| Paai pottu paduththaalum | Even when I lie down on a mat to sleep, |
| Thondaikkulla sikkikkittu | Stuck inside my throat, |
| Thavikkuthu un nenaippu… | Your memory leaves me restless... |
| Chorus | |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around, |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around, |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Male | |
| : Haan…aa…therkaththi seemakkaari | Haan... aa... Girl from the southern land, |
| Themmaangu paattukaari | Singer of folk melodies, |
| Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu | Compose and sing a song on your cousin! |
| Sonthamulla jodi thedi | Searching for a rightful soulmate, |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around; |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Chorus | |
| …………… | |
| Male | |
| Kuththa vachcha ponnukkaaga | For the girl who came of age, |
| Kudisai katti thanthaenae | I built a humble hut, |
| Kudiyirukka nenjukullae | And for her to reside inside my heart, |
| Kottai katti vachchenae | I built a grand fortress! |
| Female | |
| Aa….chiththiraiyil odai pola | Ah... like a stream parched dry in the hot month of Chithirai, |
| Kaanju kaanju ninnaenae | I stood waiting in desperation, |
| Aadi maasa vellam pola | Like the swelling floods of the month of Aadi, |
| Alli poga vanthaayae | You arrived to sweep me off my feet! |
| Male | |
| Azhagae unna usurukkula | Oh beauty, deep inside my soul, |
| Uli kondu ezhuthi vachchaen | I carved your memory with a chisel! |
| Female :Machchan manja kulikkaiyil | Female: When my cousin takes a bath in turmeric, |
| Manasaiyum nanachchu vachchaen | I drenched my heart in that fragrance too! |
| Male | |
| Uravellam thaduththaalum | Even if all relatives stand against us, |
| Vittu vachcha naaththa vanthu | I have found the courage to plant, |
| Nattu vaikka thuninchurukkaen | The saplings that were left behind! |
| Chorus | |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around, |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around, |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Male | |
| Yae….therkaththi seemakkaari | Yae... Girl from the southern land, |
| Themmaangu paattukaari | Singer of folk melodies, |
| Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu | Compose and sing a song on your cousin! |
| Sonthamulla jodi thedi | Searching for a rightful soulmate, |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around; |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Female | |
| Mmmm….therkkaththi seemakkaaraa | Mmmm... Boy from the southern land, |
| Themmaangu paattukkaaraa | Singer of folk melodies, |
| Thirunelveli paattu onnu paadu | Sing a song native to Thirunelveli! |
| Sonthamulla jodi thedi | Searching for a rightful soulmate, |
| Suththuthu ilaiya manasu | This young heart spins around; |
| Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu | This feeling of budding love is completely new to me. |
| Chorus | |
| Vanthathu panguni theru | The Panguni temple chariot festival has arrived, |
| Nenjukulla thaamirabharani aaru…. | And inside my heart flows the river Thamirabarani... |
............................
தெற்கத்தி சீமக்காரி
தெம்மாங்கு பாட்டுக்காரி
மச்சான் மேலே பாட்டுக் கட்டி பாடு
சொந்தமுள்ள ஜோடி தேடி
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் எனக்கு புதுசு
Girl from the southern land,
Singer of folk melodies,
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
This young heart spins around;
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
தெற்கத்தி சீமக்காரா
தெம்மாங்கு பாட்டுக்காரா
திருநெல்வேலி பாட்டு ஒண்ணு பாடு
சொந்தமுள்ள ஜோடி தேடி
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் எனக்கும் புதுசு
Boy from the southern land,
Singer of folk melodies,
Sing a song native to Thirunelveli!
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
This young heart spins around;
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
மாந்தோப்பில் மாங்கா தந்த
மச்சான்காரன் இவன் தானா
மல்லுவேட்டி கட்டி வந்தான்
மல்லுக் கட்ட விடுவேனா
Is he the one who gave me a mango in the mango grove?
Is this affectionate cousin really him?
He arrived wearing a traditional folded dhoti,
Will I ever let him wrestle or fight?
பாவாடை சரிய சரிய
பயந்து போனவ இவதானா
உளுதங்களி தின்னு வந்த பச்சக்கிளி நீதானா
Is she the girl who got scared,
When her skirt slipped down in childhood?
Are you the innocent green parrot raised on black gram porridge?
மச்சான் உன்ன நினைக்கையில்
துடிக்குது அடி வயிறு
மயிலே உன்ன நெனக்கையில்
ஒதறுது என் உசுரு
Oh cousin, when I think of you,
My lower abdomen twinges with excitement!
Male: Oh peacock, when I think of you,
My very life force shivers!
பாய் போட்டு படுத்தாலும்
தொண்டைக்குள்ள சிக்கிக்கிட்டு
தவிக்குது உன் நெனப்பு...
Even when I lie down on a mat to sleep,
Stuck inside my throat,
Your memory leaves me restless...
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் உனக்கு புதுசு
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் உனக்கு புதுசு
This young heart spins around,
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
This young heart spins around,
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
ஹான்...ஆ.....தெற்கத்தி சீமக்காரி
தெம்மாங்கு பாட்டுக்காரி
மச்சான் மேலே பாட்டுக் கட்டி பாடு
சொந்தமுள்ள ஜோடி தேடி
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் எனக்கு புதுசு
Haan... aa... Girl from the southern land,
Singer of folk melodies,
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
This young heart spins around;
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
...........................
குத்த வச்ச பொண்ணுக்காக
குடிசை கட்டி தந்தேனே
குடியிருக்க நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
கோட்டை கட்டி வச்சேனே
For the girl who came of age,
I built a humble hut,
And for her to reside inside my heart,
I built a grand fortress!
ஆ..... சித்திரையில் ஓடை போல
காஞ்சு காஞ்சு நின்னேனே
ஆடி மாச வெள்ளம் போல
அள்ளிப் போக வந்தாயே
Ah... like a stream parched dry in the hot month of Chithirai,
I stood waiting in desperation,
Like the swelling floods of the month of Aadi,
You arrived to sweep me off my feet!
அழகே உன்ன உசுருக்குள்
உளி கொண்டு எழுதி வச்சேன்
மச்சான் மஞ்சக் குளிக்கையில்
மனசையும் நனைச்சு வச்சேன்
Oh beauty, deep inside my soul,
I carved your memory with a chisel!
Female: When my cousin takes a bath in turmeric,
I drenched my heart in that fragrance too!
உறவெல்லாம் தடுத்தாலும்
விட்டு வச்ச நாத்த வந்து
நட்டு வைக்க துணிஞ்சிருக்கேன்
Even if all relatives stand against us,
I have found the courage to plant,
The saplings that were left behind!
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் உனக்கு புதுசு
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் உனக்கு புதுசு
This young heart spins around,
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
This young heart spins around,
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
ஏ....தெற்கத்தி சீமக்காரி
தெம்மாங்கு பாட்டுக்காரி
மச்சான் மேலே பாட்டுக் கட்டி பாடு
சொந்தமுள்ள ஜோடி தேடி
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் எனக்கு புதுசு
Yae... Girl from the southern land,
Singer of folk melodies,
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
This young heart spins around;
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
ம்ம்ம்ம்......தெற்கத்தி சீமக்காரா
தெம்மாங்கு பாட்டுக்காரா
திருநெல்வேலி பாட்டு ஒண்ணு பாடு
சொந்தமுள்ள ஜோடி தேடி
சுத்துது இளைய மனசு
மொட்டு விட்ட சம்பவம் எனக்கும் புதுசு
Mmmm... Boy from the southern land,
Singer of folk melodies,
Sing a song native to Thirunelveli!
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
This young heart spins around;
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
வந்தது பங்குனி தேரு
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள தாமிரபரணி ஆறு.....
The Panguni temple chariot festival has arrived,
And inside my heart flows the river Thamirabarani...
………………..
Therkaththi seemakkaari
Girl from the southern land,
Themmaangu paattukaari
Singer of folk melodies,
Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Sonthamulla jodi thedi
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around;
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Therkkaththi seemakkaaraa
Boy from the southern land,
Themmaangu paattukkaaraa
Singer of folk melodies,
Thirunelveli paattu onnu paadu
Sing a song native to Thirunelveli!
Sonthamulla jodi thedi
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around;
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Maanthoppil maangaa thantha
Is he the one who gave me a mango in the mango grove?
Machchaankaaram ivanthaanaa
Is this affectionate cousin really him?
Malluvetti katti vanthaan
He arrived wearing a traditional folded dhoti,
Mallukatta viduvenaa
Will I ever let him wrestle or fight?
Paavaadai sariya sariya
Is she the girl who got scared,
Payanthu ponava ivathaanaa
When her skirt slipped down in childhood?
Uluthangali thinnu vantha pachchakkili neethaanaa
Are you the innocent green parrot raised on black gram porridge?
Machchaan unna ninaikkaiyil
Oh cousin, when I think of you,
Thudikkuthu adi vayiru
My lower abdomen twinges with excitement!
Male :Mayilae unna nenaikkaiyil
Male: Oh peacock, when I think of you,
Odharuthu en ushuru
My very life force shivers!
Paai pottu paduththaalum
Even when I lie down on a mat to sleep,
Thondaikkulla sikkikkittu
Stuck inside my throat,
Thavikkuthu un nenaippu…
Your memory leaves me restless...
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around,
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around,
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
: Haan…aa…therkaththi seemakkaari
Haan... aa... Girl from the southern land,
Themmaangu paattukaari
Singer of folk melodies,
Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Sonthamulla jodi thedi
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around;
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
……………
Kuththa vachcha ponnukkaaga
For the girl who came of age,
Kudisai katti thanthaenae
I built a humble hut,
Kudiyirukka nenjukullae
And for her to reside inside my heart,
Kottai katti vachchenae
I built a grand fortress!
Aa….chiththiraiyil odai pola
Ah... like a stream parched dry in the hot month of Chithirai,
Kaanju kaanju ninnaenae
I stood waiting in desperation,
Aadi maasa vellam pola
Like the swelling floods of the month of Aadi,
Alli poga vanthaayae
You arrived to sweep me off my feet!
Azhagae unna usurukkula
Oh beauty, deep inside my soul,
Uli kondu ezhuthi vachchaen
I carved your memory with a chisel!
Female :Machchan manja kulikkaiyil
Female: When my cousin takes a bath in turmeric,
Manasaiyum nanachchu vachchaen
I drenched my heart in that fragrance too!
Uravellam thaduththaalum
Even if all relatives stand against us,
Vittu vachcha naaththa vanthu
I have found the courage to plant,
Nattu vaikka thuninchurukkaen
The saplings that were left behind!
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around,
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around,
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Yae….therkaththi seemakkaari
Yae... Girl from the southern land,
Themmaangu paattukaari
Singer of folk melodies,
Machchaan maelae paattu katti paadu
Compose and sing a song on your cousin!
Sonthamulla jodi thedi
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around;
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Mmmm….therkkaththi seemakkaaraa
Mmmm... Boy from the southern land,
Themmaangu paattukkaaraa
Singer of folk melodies,
Thirunelveli paattu onnu paadu
Sing a song native to Thirunelveli!
Sonthamulla jodi thedi
Searching for a rightful soulmate,
Suththuthu ilaiya manasu
This young heart spins around;
Mottu vitta sambavan enakku pudhusu
This feeling of budding love is completely new to me.
Vanthathu panguni theru
The Panguni temple chariot festival has arrived,
Nenjukulla thaamirabharani aaru….
And inside my heart flows the river Thamirabarani...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Therkaththi Seemakkaari (from Tamizh Ponnu, 1992) is a vibrant Tamil rural duet centered around traditional folk romance. Set against the culturally rich backdrop of Southern Tamil Nadu (Therkumaganam / Tirunelveli), the lovers tease and express their blossoming passion through classic regional metaphors, including traditional foods like 'uluthangali' (black gram porridge), seasonal river floods ('Aadi maasa vellam'), and sacred rivers like the Thamirabarani.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Therkaththi seemakkaari / Themmaangu paattukaari”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Therkaththi' and 'Themmaangu' or 'Maanthoppil' and 'Malluvetti'.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)
“Chiththiraiyil odai pola kaanju kaanju ninnaenae / Aadi maasa vellam pola alli poga vanthaayae”
Comparing heart parched in love to a dried-up summer stream in Chithirai and the sudden influx of love to overflowing Aadi monsoon floods.
Cultural Synecdoche
“Nenjukulla thaamirabharani aaru….”
Using regional symbols like Thirunelveli songs and the Thamirabarani river to symbolize deep emotional heritage and love.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Vairamuthu, the song vividly incorporates Southern Tamil Nadu dialect terms like 'Therkaththi' (southern region), 'Themmaangu' (folk song style), 'Uluthangali' (a traditional nutritious dish given during adolescence), and references to the regional river Thamirabarani.
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