Thirumbivaa
From Nadodi · 1966
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nadodi1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Virumbi vaa | Come with love |
| Ennai virumbi vaa | Come loving me |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Virumbi vaa | Come with love |
| Ennai virumbi vaa | Come loving me |
| Male | |
| Itta adi kanindhirukka | The step taken has grown gentle |
| Edutha adi sivandhirukka | The step raised has turned soft red |
| Patta idam kulirndhirukka | The touched spot has turned cool |
| Paruva mazhai pozhindhirukka | The seasonal rain has poured down |
| Female | |
| Thirumba vaa | Come back |
| Arivae thirumba vaa | O wisdom, come back |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Female | |
| Kanni vizhi thirandhirukka | The maiden's eyes are wide open |
| Kaadhal vazhi purindhirukka | The path of love is well understood |
| Nalla manam azhaithirukka | A good heart invites lovingly |
| Naalu gunam thaduthirukka | Yet traditional virtues hold it back |
| Female | |
| Thirumba vaa | Come back |
| Arivae thirumba vaa | O wisdom, come back |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Male | |
| Kan paduvadhil pattu thaerum | Glances gain depth through experience |
| Kai thoduvadhai thottu theerum | Touch finds fulfillment through contact |
| Kan paduvadhil pattu thaerum | Glances gain depth through experience |
| Kai thoduvadhai thottu theerum | Touch finds fulfillment through contact |
| Idhai veliyida manam illaamal | Lacking the heart to express this outwardly |
| Un mai vizhi poi mozhi koorum | Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies |
| Idhai veliyida manam illaamal | Lacking the heart to express this outwardly |
| Un mai vizhi poi mozhi koorum | Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies |
| Female | |
| Idhu mudhal mudhal | This is our very first |
| Sandhippaagum | Meeting together |
| Idhil eppadi vetkkam pogum | How can bashfulness fade away so soon? |
| Idhu mudhal mudhal | This is our very first |
| Sandhippaagum | Meeting together |
| Idhil eppadi vetkkam pogum | How can bashfulness fade away so soon? |
| Female | |
| Pani thuli vizhum malarendraagum | Like a flower glistening with dew drops |
| En kulir mugam kungumam aagum | My cool face blushes red like kumkum |
| Pani thuli vizhum malarendraagum | Like a flower glistening with dew drops |
| En kulir mugam kungumam aagum | My cool face blushes red like kumkum |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Female | |
| Thirumba vaa | Come back |
| Arivae thirumba vaa | O wisdom, come back |
| Male | |
| Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum | Flitting about like a little parrot |
| Un kani mozhi thiththippaagum | Your sweet words are pure honey |
| Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum | Flitting about like a little parrot |
| Un kani mozhi thiththippaagum | Your sweet words are pure honey |
| Male | |
| Siru kuzhi vizhum azhaghiya kannam | That lovely dimpled cheek |
| Adhu madhurasam thadhumbidum kinnam | Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar |
| Siru kuzhi vizhum azhaghiya kannam | That lovely dimpled cheek |
| Adhu madhurasam thadhumbidum kinnam | Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar |
| Female | |
| Pani poigaiyil alli poovum | The night lily in the cool pond |
| Adhai konjidum velli nilaavum | And the silver moon caressing it |
| Pani poigaiyil alli poovum | The night lily in the cool pond |
| Adhai konjidum velli nilaavum | And the silver moon caressing it |
| Female | |
| Ila mayakkathil iruvarai saerkkum | In gentle enchantment brings two souls together |
| Manam idhazhgalil iruppadhai ketkkum | The heart longs for what lingers on the lips |
| Ila mayakkathil iruvarai saerkkum | In gentle enchantment brings two souls together |
| Manam idhazhgalil iruppadhai ketkkum | The heart longs for what lingers on the lips |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
| Female | |
| Thirumba vaa | Come back |
| Arivae thirumba vaa | O wisdom, come back |
| Male | |
| Itta adi kanindhirukka | The step taken has grown gentle |
| Edutha adi sivandhirukka | The step raised has turned soft red |
| Patta idam kulirndhirukka | The touched spot has turned cool |
| Paruva mazhai pozhindhirukka | The seasonal rain has poured down |
| Female | |
| Kanni vizhi thirandhirukka | The maiden's eyes are wide open |
| Kaadhal vazhi purindhirukka | The path of love is well understood |
| Nalla manam azhaithirukka | A good heart invites lovingly |
| Naalu gunam thaduthirukka | Yet traditional virtues hold it back |
| Female | |
| Thirumba vaa | Come back |
| Arivae thirumba vaa | O wisdom, come back |
| Male | |
| Thirumbi vaa | Come back |
| Oliyae thirumbi vaa | O light, come back |
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
விரும்பி வா
என்னை விரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
Come with love
Come loving me
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
விரும்பி வா
என்னை விரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
Come with love
Come loving me
இட்ட அடி கனிந்திருக்க
எடுத்த அடி சிவந்திருக்க
பட்ட இடம் குளிந்திருக்க
பருவ மழை பொழிந்திருக்க
The step taken has grown gentle
The step raised has turned soft red
The touched spot has turned cool
The seasonal rain has poured down
திரும்ப வா
அறிவே திரும்ப வா
Come back
O wisdom, come back
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
கன்னி விழி திறந்திருக்க
காதல் வழி புரிந்திருக்க
நல்ல மனம் அழைத்திருக்க
நாலு குணம் தடுத்திருக்க
The maiden's eyes are wide open
The path of love is well understood
A good heart invites lovingly
Yet traditional virtues hold it back
திரும்ப வா
அறிவே திரும்ப வா
Come back
O wisdom, come back
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
கண் படுவதில் பட்டுத் தேரும்
கை தொடுவதைத் தொட்டுத் தீரும்
கண் படுவதில் பட்டுத் தேரும்
கை தொடுவதைத் தொட்டுத் தீரும்
இதை வெளியிட மனமில்லாமல்
உன் மைவிழி பொய்மொழி கூறும்
இதை வெளியிட மனமில்லாமல்
உன் மைவிழி பொய்மொழி கூறும்
Glances gain depth through experience
Touch finds fulfillment through contact
Glances gain depth through experience
Touch finds fulfillment through contact
Lacking the heart to express this outwardly
Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies
Lacking the heart to express this outwardly
Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies
இது முதல் முதல்
சந்திப்பாகும்
இதில் எப்படி வெட்கம் போகும்
இது முதல் முதல்
சந்திப்பாகும்
இதில் எப்படி வெட்கம் போகும்
This is our very first
Meeting together
How can bashfulness fade away so soon?
This is our very first
Meeting together
How can bashfulness fade away so soon?
பனித்துளி விழும் மலர் என்றாகும்
என் குளிர் முகம் குங்குமமாகும்
பனித்துளி விழும் மலர் என்றாகும்
என் குளிர் முகம் குங்குமமாகும்
Like a flower glistening with dew drops
My cool face blushes red like kumkum
Like a flower glistening with dew drops
My cool face blushes red like kumkum
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
திரும்ப வா
அறிவே திரும்ப வா
Come back
O wisdom, come back
ஒரு கிளியென தத்திப் போகும்
உன் கனிமொழி தித்திப்பாகும்
ஒரு கிளியென தத்திப் போகும்
உன் கனிமொழி தித்திப்பாகும்
Flitting about like a little parrot
Your sweet words are pure honey
Flitting about like a little parrot
Your sweet words are pure honey
சிறு குழி விழும் அழகிய கன்னம்
அது மதுரசம் ததும்பிடும் கிண்ணம்
சிறு குழி விழும் அழகிய கன்னம்
அது மதுரசம் ததும்பிடும் கிண்ணம்
That lovely dimpled cheek
Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar
That lovely dimpled cheek
Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar
பனிப் பொய்கையில் அல்லிப் பூவும்
அதைக் கொஞ்சிடும் வெள்ளி நிலாவும்
பனிப் பொய்கையில் அல்லிப் பூவும்
அதைக் கொஞ்சிடும் வெள்ளி நிலாவும்
The night lily in the cool pond
And the silver moon caressing it
The night lily in the cool pond
And the silver moon caressing it
இள மயக்கத்தில் இருவரை சேர்க்கும்
மனம் இதழ்களில் இருப்பதைக் கேட்க்கும்
இள மயக்கத்தில் இருவரை சேர்க்கும்
மனம் இதழ்களில் இருப்பதைக் கேட்க்கும்
In gentle enchantment brings two souls together
The heart longs for what lingers on the lips
In gentle enchantment brings two souls together
The heart longs for what lingers on the lips
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
திரும்ப வா
அறிவே திரும்ப வா
Come back
O wisdom, come back
இட்ட அடி கனிந்திருக்க
எடுத்த அடி சிவந்திருக்க
பட்ட இடம் குளிந்திருக்க
பருவ மழை பொழிந்திருக்க
The step taken has grown gentle
The step raised has turned soft red
The touched spot has turned cool
The seasonal rain has poured down
கன்னி விழி திறந்திருக்க
காதல் வழி புரிந்திருக்க
நல்ல மனம் அழைத்திருக்க
நாலு குணம் தடுத்திருக்க
The maiden's eyes are wide open
The path of love is well understood
A good heart invites lovingly
Yet traditional virtues hold it back
திரும்ப வா
அறிவே திரும்ப வா
Come back
O wisdom, come back
திரும்பி வா
ஒளியே திரும்பி வா
Come back
O light, come back
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Virumbi vaa
Come with love
Ennai virumbi vaa
Come loving me
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Virumbi vaa
Come with love
Ennai virumbi vaa
Come loving me
Itta adi kanindhirukka
The step taken has grown gentle
Edutha adi sivandhirukka
The step raised has turned soft red
Patta idam kulirndhirukka
The touched spot has turned cool
Paruva mazhai pozhindhirukka
The seasonal rain has poured down
Thirumba vaa
Come back
Arivae thirumba vaa
O wisdom, come back
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Kanni vizhi thirandhirukka
The maiden's eyes are wide open
Kaadhal vazhi purindhirukka
The path of love is well understood
Nalla manam azhaithirukka
A good heart invites lovingly
Naalu gunam thaduthirukka
Yet traditional virtues hold it back
Thirumba vaa
Come back
Arivae thirumba vaa
O wisdom, come back
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Kan paduvadhil pattu thaerum
Glances gain depth through experience
Kai thoduvadhai thottu theerum
Touch finds fulfillment through contact
Kan paduvadhil pattu thaerum
Glances gain depth through experience
Kai thoduvadhai thottu theerum
Touch finds fulfillment through contact
Idhai veliyida manam illaamal
Lacking the heart to express this outwardly
Un mai vizhi poi mozhi koorum
Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies
Idhai veliyida manam illaamal
Lacking the heart to express this outwardly
Un mai vizhi poi mozhi koorum
Your kohl-lined eyes tell playful lies
Idhu mudhal mudhal
This is our very first
Sandhippaagum
Meeting together
Idhil eppadi vetkkam pogum
How can bashfulness fade away so soon?
Idhu mudhal mudhal
This is our very first
Sandhippaagum
Meeting together
Idhil eppadi vetkkam pogum
How can bashfulness fade away so soon?
Pani thuli vizhum malarendraagum
Like a flower glistening with dew drops
En kulir mugam kungumam aagum
My cool face blushes red like kumkum
Pani thuli vizhum malarendraagum
Like a flower glistening with dew drops
En kulir mugam kungumam aagum
My cool face blushes red like kumkum
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Thirumba vaa
Come back
Arivae thirumba vaa
O wisdom, come back
Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum
Flitting about like a little parrot
Un kani mozhi thiththippaagum
Your sweet words are pure honey
Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum
Flitting about like a little parrot
Un kani mozhi thiththippaagum
Your sweet words are pure honey
Siru kuzhi vizhum azhaghiya kannam
That lovely dimpled cheek
Adhu madhurasam thadhumbidum kinnam
Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar
Siru kuzhi vizhum azhaghiya kannam
That lovely dimpled cheek
Adhu madhurasam thadhumbidum kinnam
Is a cup overflowing with sweet nectar
Pani poigaiyil alli poovum
The night lily in the cool pond
Adhai konjidum velli nilaavum
And the silver moon caressing it
Pani poigaiyil alli poovum
The night lily in the cool pond
Adhai konjidum velli nilaavum
And the silver moon caressing it
Ila mayakkathil iruvarai saerkkum
In gentle enchantment brings two souls together
Manam idhazhgalil iruppadhai ketkkum
The heart longs for what lingers on the lips
Ila mayakkathil iruvarai saerkkum
In gentle enchantment brings two souls together
Manam idhazhgalil iruppadhai ketkkum
The heart longs for what lingers on the lips
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Thirumba vaa
Come back
Arivae thirumba vaa
O wisdom, come back
Itta adi kanindhirukka
The step taken has grown gentle
Edutha adi sivandhirukka
The step raised has turned soft red
Patta idam kulirndhirukka
The touched spot has turned cool
Paruva mazhai pozhindhirukka
The seasonal rain has poured down
Kanni vizhi thirandhirukka
The maiden's eyes are wide open
Kaadhal vazhi purindhirukka
The path of love is well understood
Nalla manam azhaithirukka
A good heart invites lovingly
Naalu gunam thaduthirukka
Yet traditional virtues hold it back
Thirumba vaa
Come back
Arivae thirumba vaa
O wisdom, come back
Thirumbi vaa
Come back
Oliyae thirumbi vaa
O light, come back
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thirumbi Vaa is a romantic duettish song from the 1966 film Nadodi, written by Vaali. The lyrics depict an intimate, poetic conversation between lovers navigating the hesitant joy of first love, shyness, and mutual admiration. The speaker addresses their beloved as the light ('oli') and wisdom ('arivu') of their life, urging them to return to their loving embrace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Refrain
“Thirumbi vaa / Oliyae thirumbi vaa”
Repetition of the phrases 'Thirumbi vaa' and 'Arivae thirumba vaa' creates a rhythmic cadence and highlights the emotional longing.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Adhu madhurasam thadhumbidum kinnam”
Addressing the beloved directly as 'Oli' (Light) and 'Arivu' (Wisdom/Intellect), comparing their cheeks to a cup filled with nectar.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum”
Comparing the heroine's delicate movements to a hopping parrot ('Oru kiliyena thatthi pogum').
Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)
“Itta adi kanindhirukka / Edutha adi sivandhirukka”
Use of matching internal rhyme and initial consonant patterns typical of classical Tamil songwriting (e.g., Itta / Edutha / Patta / Paruva).
Did you know?
Trivia
Nadodi (1966) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this song features iconic romantic imagery characteristic of Lyricist Vaali's 1960s collaborations with MGR.
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