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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thilothamma

From Kaadhal Mannan · 1998

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Bharathwaj, Anupama
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Kaadhal Mannan1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan madi yendhiI held out my lap in supplication
Manpol yaasithenI begged like the thirsty earth
En mazhaiththuliyaeOh my precious raindrop
Yen dhaan yosiththaaiWhy did you hesitate so much?
Manam thaanghaadhaeMy heart cannot bear this distance
Pin vaanghaadhaeDo not pull back now
Male
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
Chorus
…………………..[Music]
Female
Idhu meidhaanaeIs this truly real?
Unnai ketkkirenI am asking you
Ada en kannaiAh, my own eyes
Naanae paarkkirenI am looking at myself
En kanneeril nandri solgindrenI express my gratitude through my tears
Male
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
Female
Ah ah ah ah ah ahAh ah ah ah ah ah
Ah ah ah ah ah ahAh ah ah ah ah ah
Female
MaattramA change
Manadhiloru maattramA change within the heart
MaattramA change
Vizhiyil thadumaattramA faltering hesitation in the eyes
Thavarallavaa un nenjukkuIs it not wrong? To your heart
ThaazhpaaliduPut a latch and bolt it
Male
Hey hi hey hi hey hi hey hiHey hi hey hi hey hi hey hi
Kaadhal anaivarukkum poovoIs love a soft flower for everyone else?
Enakku mattum mulloIs it a sharp thorn only for me?
Mullo unnaal sollaamalaeIs it a thorn, kissing silently without speaking?
MuththaadavoTo kiss gently?
Male
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
Male
Idhu sollaadhaThis is an unexpressed
Sogam allavaaSorrow, isn't it?
Adhai mounangalThat sorrow, the silences
Sollum allavaaWill convey, won't they?
ThallipponaalumEven if you step far away
Ullam poghaadhuThe inner soul will not wander away
Male
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
Female
Ival nenjoduWithin her heart
Yedho ulladhuThere is something hidden
Adhai un kaadhilIn your ear, if it is whispered
Sonnaal nalladhuIt would be wonderful
Mounam theerppomaaShall we break this silence?
Meendum paarppomaaShall we meet each other again?
Male
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama
ThiloththammaaOh Tilottama

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Thiloththammaa' from the film Kaadhal Mannan (1998), composed by Bharathwaj and written by Vairamuthu, is an emotionally charged romantic track expressing pleading love, longing, and subtle pain. The protagonist addresses his beloved as 'Tilottama' (comparing her beauty to the celestial nymph Tilottama), begging for her affection like parched land yearning for rain. The song beautifully captures the conflict of emotions, silent grief, and the quiet understanding shared between lovers through silence and gaze.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

Manpol yaasithen

Comparing the protagonist begging for love to the parched earth waiting for rain ('Manpol yaasithen / En mazhaiththuliyae').

Rhetorical Question (வினா நவிற்சி)

Kaadhal anaivarukkum poovo

Using contrast questions comparing love to flowers for others and thorns for oneself ('Kaadhal anaivarukkum poovo / Enakku mattum mullo').

Personification / Imagery

Adhai mounangal

Attributing speech to silence ('Adhai mounangal / Sollum allavaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaadhal Mannan (1998) marked a major musical hit for composer Bharathwaj and actor Ajith Kumar. The song 'Tilottama' became immensely popular for Hariharan's soulful rendition and Vairamuthu's poetic imagery comparing the heroine to the celestial beauty Tilottama.

Keep listening

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