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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirukoil Thedi

From Mittai Mummy · 1976

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Mittai Mummy1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Silai pondra maaran thunai kaana vanthaalShe came to seek the company of the statue-like Cupid.
Female
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Male
Aivagai malarum anantha karumbumFive types of flowers and the sweet sugarcane,
Kayil kondu vanthaalShe brought them in her hands.
Anthiyil saernthu manthiram paadaTo join together at dusk and chant sacred hymns,
Arangam naadi vanthaalShe sought and arrived at the stage.
Female
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Female
Poorana porkudam yaendhiya maathuThe lady carrying a full golden pitcher,
Punnagai sumanthu vanthaalCame bearing a blossom of a smile.
Male : Poojaikku pogum vegathilaeIn the haste of heading towards worship,
Aval bhoomiyai maranthu vanthaalShe came forgetting the very earth she walked upon.
Female
Poorana porkudam yaendhiya maathuThe lady carrying a full golden pitcher,
Punnagai sumanthu vanthaalCame bearing a blossom of a smile.
Male :Poojaikku pogum vegathilaeIn the haste of heading towards worship,
Aval bhoomiyai maranthu vanthaalShe came forgetting the very earth she walked upon.
Female
Aalilai araasilai megalai maakalaiBanyan leaf, peepal leaf, waist jewelry, fine arts,
Orr kalai koora vanthaalShe came to express a unique art form.
Male :Aanandha poovil thaen sinthum neramAt the hour when honey drips from the flower of bliss,
Aadhikkam selutha vanthaalShe came to assert her sweet dominance.
Male
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Silai pondra maaran thunai kaana vanthaalShe came to seek the company of the statue-like Cupid.
Female
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Female
Pani mugil sinthum paalabhishegamThe ritual milk bath poured by the misty clouds,
Thanakkena odi vanthaalShe came running to claim for herself.
Male :Palliyil poosum santhana kaappuThe sandalwood paste applied in the bedchamber,
Pagalilum thedi vanthaalShe sought after even during the day.
Female
Azhagiya idhazhgalil kanigalai eduththuTaking the sweet fruits from her beautiful lips,
Archanai seiyya vanthaalShe came to perform ritual offerings.
Male :Aaraththi eduthu orathilanaithuTaking the sacred flame and embracing close,
Saaraththai koora vanthaalShe came to reveal the true essence of love.
Male
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Silai pondra maaran thunai kaana vanthaalShe came to seek the company of the statue-like Cupid.
Female
Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi came searching for the holy temple.
Rathidevi vanthaalGoddess Rathi arrived.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaal' from the 1976 movie Mittai Mummy uses sacred temple imagery to depict intense romantic passion and intimacy. The heroine is allegorized as Goddess Rathi seeking her beloved Maaran (Cupid). Sacred temple rituals such as pooja (worship), paalabhishegam (milk offering), santhana kaappu (sandalwood adornment), and archanai (ritual prayers) are poetically transposed into expressions of sensual love and romantic devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Silai pondra maaran thunai kaana vanthaal

Compares the hero's handsome posture to a statue (Silai pondra maaran).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thirukoyil thedi rathidevi vanthaal

Metaphorically equates the romantic beloved to Goddess Rathi and her realm of romance to a holy temple (Thirukoyil).

Edhugai / Monai (Assonance & Alliteration)

Aalilai araasilai megalai maakalai

Repetition of initial and second consonant sounds creates rhythmic musicality (Poorana / Punnagai, Aalilai / Araasilai).

Sringara Metaphor

Azhagiya idhazhgalil kanigalai eduththu Archanai seiyya vanthaal

Employs sacred worship elements (pooja, archanai, aaraththi) to symbolically represent sensual intimacy.

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Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by 'Avinasi' Mani, this song is a notable example of 1970s Tamil cinema songcraft where sacred temple vocabulary (Bhakti terminology) is ingeniously used as a poetic veneer for erotic passion (Sringara Rasa).

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