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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theru Vanthathu Pol

From Anbalippu · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anbalippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theru vanthathu pol irunthathu nee vantha pothuIt felt like a grand temple chariot festival when you arrived.
Bothai vanthathu pol irunthathu naan kanda pothuIt felt like intoxication when I looked at you.
En kannukenna kondatamo singaara kutti kannikenna kannotamoWhy are my eyes celebrating like this, and why are your beautiful young eyes side-glancing like that?
Male
Theru vanthathu pol irunthathu nee vantha pothuIt felt like a grand temple chariot festival when you arrived.
Bothai vanthathu pol irunthathu naan kanda pothuIt felt like intoxication when I looked at you.
En kannukenna kondatamo singaara kutti kannikenna kannotamoWhy are my eyes celebrating like this, and why are your beautiful young eyes side-glancing like that?
Male
Mookazhaga kandalum munna ninnu paathalumEven when admiring your beautiful nose and looking at you face-to-face,
Moochu varavillaiyadi aiyae ayiyaiyaeI am rendered breathless, oh my dear!
Male
Mookazhaga kandalum munna ninnu paathalumEven when admiring your beautiful nose and looking at you face-to-face,
Moochu varavillaiyadi aiyae ayiyaiyaeI am rendered breathless, oh my dear!
Paaku vachu paakame pathini pen illameWithout formal betrothal offerings and without a chaste wife beside me,
Thookam varavillaiyadi thaiyae thaiyaiyaeSleep eludes me completely, oh my dear!
Adi paneeru poopola thaneeril meen poleLike a delicate rose blossom, like a fish swimming in water,
Unnodu ennai alli kondal ennaWhat if you gather me up and take me with you?
Male
Theru vanthathu pol irunthathu nee vantha pothuIt felt like a grand temple chariot festival when you arrived.
Bothai vanthathu pol irunthathu naan kanda pothuIt felt like intoxication when I looked at you.
En kannukenna kondatamo singaara kutti kannikenna kannotamoWhy are my eyes celebrating like this, and why are your beautiful young eyes side-glancing like that?
Male
Maariemman thirunaalil mangai unai partha pinneEver since I saw you, my maiden, at the Mariamman temple festival,
Veru pennai paakavilai aiyae ayiyaiyaeI have not laid eyes on any other woman, oh my dear!
Male
Maariemman thirunaalil mangai unai partha pinneEver since I saw you, my maiden, at the Mariamman temple festival,
Veru pennai paakavilai aiyae ayiyaiyaeI have not laid eyes on any other woman, oh my dear!
Kaariyathai parthale karanathai kelameJust looking at the effect without asking for the reason,
Kadhal kolla sollumadi thaiyae thaiyaiyaeIt tells us to fall in love, oh my dear!
Adi pajangam paakame pangali illameWithout checking the almanac and without waiting for relatives' consent,
Ippothu ennai katti kondal ennaWhat if you embrace me right now?
Male
Theru vanthathu pol irunthathu nee vantha pothuIt felt like a grand temple chariot festival when you arrived.
Bothai vanthathu pol irunthathu naan kanda pothuIt felt like intoxication when I looked at you.
En kannukenna kondatamo singaara kutti kannikenna kannotamoWhy are my eyes celebrating like this, and why are your beautiful young eyes side-glancing like that?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic upbeat romantic song from the movie Anbalippu (1969) captures the exhilaration of a young man smitten by love. He compares the arrival of his beloved to a grand temple chariot procession (Theru) that brings festive joy, while her gaze induces a feeling of intoxication. He playfully expresses his breathlessness and sleeplessness since falling in love with her during a village deity's festival. Throughout the song, the protagonist urges her to bypass tedious traditional formal ceremonies, almanac checking, and extended family consultations, asking her to embrace him immediately. Lyricist Kannadasan uses vibrant folk-infused imagery and rhythm to convey the restless joy and eager anticipation of young love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Theru vanthathu pol irunthathu nee vantha pothu

Compares the heroine's arrival to a grand temple chariot (Theru vanthathu pol) and the feeling of seeing her to intoxication (Bothai vanthathu pol).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Bothai vanthathu pol irunthathu naan kanda pothu

Rhyming of the second letter in successive lines ('Theru' / 'Bothai' - here 'ru' and 'thai' pattern matching the rhythm, and 'paneeru' / 'unneeru').

Monaif (Alliteration / First-letter Rhyme)

Mookazhaga kandalum munna ninnu paathalum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds such as 'Mookazhaga' and 'Moochu' creating a melodic flow.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Moochu varavillaiyadi aiyae ayiyaiyae

Exaggerating the physiological impact of romantic fascination as losing breath completely upon sight.

Did you know?

Trivia

Anbalippu (1969) stars Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi in leading roles. The song is composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan and rendered with characteristic energy by T. M. Soundararajan. Kannadasan's use of local cultural motifs like the Mariamman festival and folk idiomatic phrases gave the track an enduring popular appeal in rural and urban Tamil Nadu alike.

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