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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thiththikkum Paleduthu

From Thamarai Nenjam · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thamarai Nenjam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thithikkum paal eduthuTaking sweet milk,
Deivathodu koluvirunthuSitting in majesty with God,
Muthu pol vaazhvadharkkaeTo live like a precious pearl,
Maalai soodum mana virundhuA wedding feast wearing garlands.
Ponnai pol nee irundhuRemaining like pure gold,
Annam pola nadai nadanthuWalking gracefully like a swan,
Female
Ponnai pol nee irundhuRemaining like pure gold,
Annam pola nadai nadanthuWalking gracefully like a swan,
Unnathaan madiyirunthuSitting upon your lap,
Alli veippaai thaen virunthuServing a feast of sweet honey,
Female
Thithikkum thithikkumSweet, sweet,
Thithikkum paal eduthuTaking sweet milk,
Deivathodu koluvirunthuSitting in majesty with God,
Muthu pol vaazhvadharkkaeTo live like a precious pearl,
Maalai soodum mana virundhuA wedding feast wearing garlands.
Female
Pen paarkka maappillaiyumWhen the groom comes to see the bride,
Pettrorum varum bothuAlong with his parents,
Pen paarkka maappillaiyumWhen the groom comes to see the bride,
Pettrorum varum bothuAlong with his parents,
Mann paarthu… adi eduthuLooking down at the ground, taking steps,
Mann paarthu adi eduthuLooking down at the ground, taking steps,
Oru kann paarthu kanivoduLooking with tenderness through one glance,
Varuvadhu penmaiThat grace is true womanhood.
Female
Singaara kanni enbaarThey will call you a lovely maiden,
Sevidhazhlil badhil tharuvaaiAnswer them softly with your red lips.
Padithaala ena kettaalIf they ask if you are educated,
Padithaala ena kettaalIf they ask if you are educated,
Un padipellam paarvaiyilaeShowing all your wisdom through your eyes,
Solvadhu menmaiTo speak like that is noble quality.
Female
Thithikkum paal eduthuTaking sweet milk,
Deivathodu koluvirunthuSitting in majesty with God,
Muthu pol vaazhvadharkkaeTo live like a precious pearl,
Maalai soodum mana virundhuA wedding feast wearing garlands.
Female
Kalyaana manavaraiyumThe wedding stage,
Kannaadi nilavaraiyumAnd the mirror-adorned bridal room,
Kalyaana manavaraiyumThe wedding stage,
Kannaadi nilavaraiyumAnd the mirror-adorned bridal room,
Kandaadum…. pennaagaAs a woman who beholds and rejoices,
Kandaadum..pennaagaAs a woman who beholds and rejoices,
Sugam kondaadum thiru naalaiThe auspicious day that celebrates happiness,
Ninaipadhu nenjamIs what the heart reminisces upon.
Female
Enneram edhu nadakkumWhat will happen at what time?
Eppodhum mana mudiyumWhen will the marital knot be tied?
Mullodu…malaraagaLike a flower growing amid thorns,
Mullodu malaraagaLike a flower growing amid thorns,
Manam thallaada thaniaraiyilAs the heart sways gently in the private room,
Kaanbathu inbamWhat is experienced is true bliss.
Female
Thithikkum thithikkumSweet, sweet.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thithikkum Paal Eduthu from the film Thamarai Nenjam (1968) is a charming track that captures the emotions, modesty, and grace of a young Tamil woman contemplating marriage. The lyrics detail traditional courtship and bridal rituals, from the groom's family visit to the wedding ceremony and the anticipation of marital bliss. Kannadasan's evocative poetry presents female virtues like shyness, nobility, and intellect conveyed through eyes rather than words, while M.S. Vishwanathan's melody and P. Susheela's sweet rendition render it a classic wedding anthem.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Muthu pol vaazhvadharkkae

Compares living a pure and precious life to a pearl ('muthu pol'), being precious like gold ('ponnai pol'), and walking gracefully like a swan ('annam pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Alli veippaai thaen virunthu

Compares romantic affection and love to serving a feast of sweet honey ('thaen virunthu').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Kalyaana manavaraiyum / Kannaadi nilavaraiyum

Rhyming of the second letter 'l' across consecutive lines ('Kalyaana' and 'Kannaadi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Thamarai Nenjam (1968) was directed by K. Balachander and featured Gemini Ganesan, B. Saroja Devi, and Vanisri in lead roles. Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song performed by P. Susheela became an iconic melody frequently played during traditional South Indian marriage ceremonies.

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