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Indira album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thoda Thoda Malarndhadhenna

From Indira · 1995

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Indira
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
17 Aug 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Thottavanai maranthadhenna
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Thottavanai maranthadhenna
Paarvaigal puthithaa
Sparisangal puthithaa
Mazhai vara bhoomi maruppadhenna
Paarvaigal puthithaa
Sparisangal puthithaa
Mazhai vara bhoomi maruppadhenna
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Thottavanai maranthadhenna
Antha ila vayathil
Aatrangarai manalil
Kaaladi thadam pathithom
Yaar azhithaar
Nanthavana karaiyil
Nattu vaitha chediyil
Mottu vitta muthar poovai
Yaar parithaar
Kaadhalar theendaatha
Pookkalil thaenillai
Female :Idaiveli thaandaadhae
En vasam naan illai
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Chuda chuda nanaidhadhenna
Paarvaigal puthithu
Sparisangal puthithu
Narambugal pinna pinna nadukkamenna
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Chuda chuda nanaindhadhenna
Panithanil kulitha
Paalmalar kaana
Irubathu vasanthangal
Vizhi valarthen
Pasithavan amutham
Parugida thaanae
Pathinezhu vasanthangal
Ithazh valarthen
Ilai moodum malaraaga
Ithayathai maraikkaadhae
Female :Malar kollum kaatraaga
Ithayathai ulukkaadhae
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Chuda chuda nanaindhadhenna
Paarvaigal puthithaa
Sparisangal puthithaa
Mazhai vara bhoomi maruppadhenna
Paarvaigal puthithaa
Sparisangal puthithaa
Mazhai vara bhoomi maruppadhenna
Thoda thoda
Malarndhadhenna poovae
Thottavanai maranthadhenna
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you forget the one who touched you?
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you forget the one who touched you?
Are our glances new?
Are our touches new?
Why does the earth refuse when the rain arrives?
Are our glances new?
Are our touches new?
Why does the earth refuse when the rain arrives?
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you forget the one who touched you?
In those early years,
on the riverbank sand,
we left our footprints behind;
who wiped them away?
In the garden corner,
on the plant we nurtured,
the budding flower of our kiss,
who plucked it away?
Untouched by a lover,
flowers have no nectar.
Female: Do not cross the distance between us,
I am no longer in control of myself.
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you soak in this warmth?
These glances are new.
These touches are new.
As our nerves intertwine, why this trembling?
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you soak in this warmth?
Bathed in the morning dew,
to see this pure white blossom,
for twenty springs,
I kept my eyes waiting.
For the hungry lover to drink
the sweet nectar,
for seventeen springs,
I nurtured my lips.
Like a flower hidden under leaves,
do not hide your heart.
Female: Like a wind that seizes the flower,
do not shake my heart.
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you soak in this warmth?
Are our glances new?
Are our touches new?
Why does the earth refuse when the rain arrives?
Are our glances new?
Are our touches new?
Why does the earth refuse when the rain arrives?
As I touch you,
why did you blossom, my flower?
Why did you forget the one who touched you?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Thoda Thoda Malarndhadhenna is a classic, evocative romantic duet that expresses the sweet tension and deep affection between childhood sweethearts reuniting in youth. The male protagonist reminisces about their shared past, childhood footprints, and the natural blossom of love, questioning her hesitation as an earth denying the rain. The female protagonist expresses her overwhelmed emotion, admitting her loss of self-control under his touch and gaze. Through metaphoric comparisons of flowers, spring seasons, and rainfall, Vairamuthu captures the romantic awakening and passionate vulnerability of both lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Thoda thoda”

The phrase 'Thoda thoda' repeats the verb root to express continuous, gentle physical touch.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Mazhai vara bhoomi maruppadhenna”

Compares the hero's romantic arrival to falling rain and the heroine's hesitation to the earth, highlighting the natural harmony of their union.

Visual Imagery (Katchi Bimbam)

“Panithanil kulitha Paalmalar kaana”

Evokes vivid nature imagery of a delicate flower drenched in dew and nurtured across seasons.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for Suhasini Maniratnam's directorial debut 'Indira' (1995), this iconic song features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The track remains famous for its lush orchestration and timeless romantic melody.

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